Blood Power by Rose Songweaver

Release

Kagome felt sudden freedom. Her power imploded, rocking into her own body. It attacked her chains. They burst under the blow, releasing her for the first time.

Her mind grew, expanded. Centuries poured back, overwhelmed her.

She felt a drop on her face, cool. Rain. Rain was pouring down. The youkai was dust now, its sword dropping harmlessly. The rest had stopped, traces of fear pouring from them.

Kagome's throat burned. She opened her mouth, allowing words to pour.

"Su ratany noasu deruma lanai ou pijhav del quida. Nahvrida! Ahn lumenah ryzou dei. A bidjah du, ryzou ahn- di, meijab du, auza du, aynmieh du. Di lanai ou su deruma du! Nahvrida!"

The words were beautiful, soothing. A strange language that had never graced the people, youkai or human, before. Her friends were filled with strength, her enemies trembled.

Kagome tilted herself into the rain. It fell on her skin, washing away everything. The wounds were gone, simply healed. No scars were left.

The battle was frozen, and her friends watched in awe as Kagome glowed. Her body lifted slightly as the rain washed over her. Each drop washed away something- her coloring vanished, and glowing white skin was revealed. Her hair was a cloud, unaffected by gravity.

Kagome opened her eyes to the rain, wanting to wash everything away. It cleansed her, washing away something dirty. Mortality.

Her ice melted, revealing deep blue oceans. Her hair darkened, so deep it looked blue. Her skin was now glowing white, pale and perfect. Her asian glow was gone. Her face was thin and heartshaped, eyes enormous.

She lifted her hands, and smiled. Everything was right. The fingers were long and thin, decorated with black and silver. Beautiful art.

Sango's mouth was open, but Miroku bowed low. He knew her kind.

"What has happened to Kagome," Sango gasped, trying to move to her.

Miroku held her back. "This must be her true self. That is the only explanation..."

Sango gapped at her. She looked a goddess.

"What is she," she wondered.

Miroku looked at his friend reverently. "Deruma...."

Kagome's eyes moved to the monk's face. She felt his awe, his fear. She smiled reassuringly, then turned her attention to Naraku.

He watched her, from his position in safety behind his army. Kagome read the fear in his eyes, felt it. He was surprised, scared. Terrified.

"Naraku," she said softly. Even the small whisper carried- all were silent, watching her. "I have watched you for many years. I saw your treachery with my own eyes. I do not believe you deserve a place on this earth. Will you come to me for your justice?"

Naraku shook. The innocent little miko was much more than he had ever thought. He was outmatched here.

He turned and fled, disappearing easily. Miasma poured, trying to help his escape, nut Kagome blew, and it was gone. Simply gone.

The youkai army crumpled, became dead bones and dust. His new children were gone, also.

Kagome touched down to earth, walked to Sesshomaru. He watched her, felt a sttrange tugging. Deep recognition.

"You have been long chained, Sesshomaru," Kagome said. "I apologize for locking you in a youkai, but it was the only thing to do at the time..."

Confusion was pouring into Kagome, directly from everyone else. She smiled, shook her head. "I almost want to leave you like this after you tried to kill us so many times... But, I will release you."

Kagome directed her power to the chains, snapped them. At once, a blinding light wsa released from his body, lifting him into the air.

Kagome watched while the others squinted or turned away. His mind snapped back with a jolt, his true form taking over the youkai body, changing it. The light died, revealing the true person.

He was taller, broader. His skin glowed, as did Kagome's. His eyes blazed. The red markings over his eyes had melted away, as did the crescent moon. The stipes were faded, but still visible.

Kagome frowned. He still retained some slight youkai traits. Interesting...

Sesshomaru dropped elegantly to the ground, stood tall and proud. Kagome smiled and inclined her head in greeting, which he returned.

"It has been many centuries," Kagome said, smiling.

"Indeed," Sesshomaru said. His voice was cold, but Kagome felt his relief.

Shippou, who had been watching with confusion and surprise, finally burst out, "Will somebody please explain to me what's going on!"

Kagome laughed, walked over to him, and scooped him up.

"Shippou-chan," she said affectionately. "Everything is righting itself."

Author's Note- Wow, I was away from the computer for like, three hours, and the ratings went up past my goal! Yay! As a reward, here's chapter one of Blood Power! Maybe chapter two later...