Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or Inuyasha...

Healing a Blackened Heart- Chapter One

Darkness.

That's how they always described her. She was a shadow with a deep seated distaste for the world. The only thing that kept her rooted to this god-forsaken planet was that sweet, little bundle tied up and hidden somewhere in this low-life infested dungeon.

She snorted and peered behind the wall she was currently using as a hiding spot. Her sapphire orbs narrowed as her tail whipped in anger. She should kill these fools for daring to take something that was hers, but that would no doubt draw more attention.

Her ears twitched at every snore and droplet of water that hit the earth as she dodged each and every guard in the main building; using the shadows to her advantage. Her long, raven mane flowed gently behind her as she flipped over yet another oblivious guard then slit his throat when he decided to look back.

These low-levels really weren't worth her time. They were weak and useless, but the prize they stole from her was priceless. She was willing to put herself in peril to get it back.

Her tail swished behind her as she reached the last prison door in the dungeon.

Her nose twitched at the scent of cinnamon and sugar then wrinkled in disgust at the stench of filth and dirt as she took a step closer to its heavy, wooden entrance. Her eyes peered around, quickly searching for the key as a whimper emerged from the other side of the door.

The jiggling of keys alerted her to the oncoming guard.

Using her powerful booted feet, she quickly flipped onto a nearby rafter and waited patiently for the guard to come toward her hiding place. Once he was under her, she expertly dropped behind him and stole the keys.

She unlocked the door and surveyed the damage to her prize. A low growl escaped her throat and her eyes tinted red as she gazed upon the red fox kit's bruised, battered, and bloodied form. His rust colored pelt was torn in some places, and there were several places where his bones protruded from his skin. She could tell that he was dehydrated: his usual black, wet nose was dry and crusted over with mucus and blood. The fox kit was only about a foot tall when he stood on all four paws and had mesmerizing emerald green eyes.

Swiftly picking him up and throwing his small body over her shoulder, she silently escaped the dungeon. Her mind was made up: screw the consequences, she was going to kill the vermin responsible for doing this to her kit. Only after she placed the injured kit in a secure hiding place away from the blood bath that was about to occur did she return to the dungeon, ready to cause havoc.

Her fangs gleamed in the moonlight as she entered the dungeon. There, dozens upon dozens of low-level demons were waiting for her. Her now ruby eyes dilated into a cat-like split as she scented the air.

Fear...

She held back a chuckle. To think that she, the once purest of beings, the once softest of hearts, could now strike fear into over a hundred demons with just her mere presence. Well, that was thrilling.

The smallest of all the low-levels was pushed forward from the crowd.

She silently sneered at their idiocy.

"P-Please spare us, Great Shadow." the small demon squeaked. A slow, fanged grin grew on her face as she examined their pathetic negotiator. It was about double the size of the red fox kit she snatched in the forest of Makai and had scaly turquoise skin that was covered in grime and sweat. Most of its teeth were gone, along with one of its beady black eyes. It only had a tuft of neon green hair on its head and two fingers on each hand.

She started to chuckle.

It was a sound that sent most demons fleeing. It was soft and feminine, but also sly, deceiving, and coated with blood lust. It was a terrifying sound that cut through a demon's heart like a knife through a slab of butter. The low-levels squealed and ran towards the doors, which shut themselves and locked the demons in; securing their fate.

The winds started to swirl around her, as purple ki coated her body. Her shadows elongated and lifted themselves off the ground: curling around her and dancing in savage glee. Suddenly, there was a flash of purple light and her voice echoed within the sealed room.

"You really think that I would allow you to go unpunished after the crime you committed against me? You fools! You are lucky that I feel merciful today, for that is the only light that shall give your loved ones comfort once you are laying in your caskets."

Once the light died, there was nothing but piles of blood and gore that surrounded her. She fell to the ground panting. The shadow receded into her heart, taking yet another piece of her purity away.

Her ear twitched as she heard the reinforcements come running down the hallways.

She cursed that damn lord for all she was worth as she changed into her spirit form and ran down the hallways. Her seven midnight black tails gleamed in the low light, catching the eyes of the guards. She swore once more as she started to hear each exit start to close. After quickly calculating the most effective route, she dashed up the tower stairs. Higher and higher they went but she didn't stop until she could smell the dew of the rain drops outside and hear the deafening roar of thunder. Finding the first glass-plated window she could, the kitsune smashed through its iron and glass-paintinged frame and leapt. She fell at least fifty stories into the icy-cold moat that surrounded the castle.

Once she pulled herself from the waters, she started to run once more. She could hear the bridge's huge wooden surface smash loudly into the muddy ground and the guards start to chase her. She didn't even stop to gently ease the injured kit out of his hiding place under one of the great trees in Makai. No, she snatched him and ran. She ran and ran until she knew she was at the point of collapsing. She ran because her face was now in every bingo book there was out there. She just stole from a powerful new lord and didn't think about the consequences first. Now there was no place where she or her kit could hide.

Desperation took a hold of her as she saw yet another new pair of hunters take up the chase. What do you do when in every town you visit you added another person that wanted your head? Simple. You go to a place where there are no hunters. 'Easier said than done...' she thought bitterly as she winced inwardly at each stride she took. She had more wounds covering her body now. She had been running for weeks as they chased her. The bounty hunters after her had inflicted more wounds then she thought they would be able to.

She jumped along Makai's terrible cliffs: hoping and praying to God that the ground wouldn't give out from under her. She had only one means of escape, and it was one she didn't use because of its great risk. She tightened her jaw around the still unconscious kit's body as two other flashes followed after her own black blur. She knew she had to make a choice fast because the end of the cliff was approaching rapidly. She could either die here or risk dying elsewhere. Before she could even make a choice of her own, a black portal opened right in front of her. She tripped on her footing and fell through: allowing the portal to swallow her and her kit whole.

Pairing: Kagome/Kurama

Muse: Song: Evanescence Imaginary (Paper Flowers)

Beta: YusukesLover

Luna: Can anyone who the fox kit is? Review and I'll tell you if your right or not! :3