InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Second Chance At Love ❯ Naraku ( Chapter 14 )

Disclaimer: I almost forgot about this...and for a moment the world was perfect. I own nothing....

~ Curiosity will conquer fear even more then bravery will. ~

-James Stephens

Chapter 14: Naraku

Kagome watched the figure in the distance grow steadily larger as they flew nearer to it. When she was able to make out what it was her eyes opened in shock as she let out an audible gasp. She couldn't believe her eyes! The building before her looked like something you'd see in her natural time, five hundred years in the future, not what you would find in the Sengoku Jidai Era. It looked like a mere shadow of its former glory, like an echo of a past life that it would never get back, no matter how a person tried to rebuild it. The castle was so charred in places, places where there was actually something standing, and in other places big chunks were missing as if someone had misplaced entire walls of stone. She wondered how anyone could live in such a place... comfortably or otherwise.

Something about the ruin was bothering her.

Kagome gave the building a horrified look and prayed that that was not there destination, though she was loosing hope in that as they drew closer to the monstrosity. She couldn't help wondering whom Kagura was working for now and why they would choose to live in such a disastrous looking place? Kagome sighed as she stared at the looming figure growing in front of her. For a moment she stayed that way, then she turned her attention to her 'guide'.

Kagome had an unobstructed view of the wind demon's back from her spot a few paces behind her on the large feather. She wondered why Kagura had given her a choice earlier instead of just trying to take her by force. It was almost as if the other girl didn't want to do it. Which she didn't understand; she knew the young demon didn't like her very much, so why would Kagura not want to cause her trouble? Something just didn't make sense, but she wouldn't worry about it. All she wanted was to get the shikon jewel and get out of there as soon as she could.

She looked around her at the dark sky and wondered what time it was. She knew they'd been flying for about five hours now, which attested to the speed of the feather since she knew they're destination was another days journey from where they had camped at. It didn't feel as if they were moving that fast though, she was thankful for that because she still wasn't feeling all that secure, after all she was flying on a gigantic feather. No matter how big it was, it was still a feather.

Kagome wondered if the rest of them had realized she was missing yet. 'What am I saying? Of, course they have...' She knew Sango would have already started to wonder where she was and would have come back to the camp all crazy and worried. She hated that she hadn't at least stopped to tell one of them what she was doing, but she knew she couldn't do that because none of them would have allowed her to do this alone... no ifs about it. She knew that they were all worried about her and she hated that she was putting them through that, but what other choice was there? There was too much of the unknown where they were headed and besides, they were only a day behind her. What could happen in a day? She hoped they were okay as she tilted her head back to watch the stars twinkle in the sky.

~*~Back at the campsite~*~

"What do you mean she never showed up at the heat spring? Where the hell is she?!?"

"Thats what I said Inuyasha!! Now, stop yelling at me! And if I knew where she was would I be asking you guys?!"

Mirouku sighed as he watched the other two face off against each other, nose to nose. They'd been at it on and off for four hours now. Inuyasha would go off into the forest and try to see if he could find any clue as to where she went, but he could only see where she'd stopped walking about half way between the campsite and the heat springs. All he could tell is that she'd obviously fell over then had gotten back up, but that's where her trail stopped. There was no sigh of a struggle or anything. Mirouku wasn't surprised at that though... actually he had expected that since he didn't believe there was a struggle. He figured if there had been a struggle one of them would have heard something. There was no way someone could just fight and kidnap a miko with Kagome's power level without someone seeing or hearing something.

He looked over to see Shippou and Rin sitting quietly beside each other. Both of them were watching him intently as he seemed to be the only adult who seemed to be showing any signs of having a brain at the moment. He knew they were worried for Kagome. He heard Rin mutter a "Sesshoumaru-sama" a couple of times and he had to say, he'd feel much better when the Taiyoukai returned too. Maybe he'd actually have an idea of what to do.

"You guys," he sighed as he interrupted their staring contest. He waited for their eyes to connect with his before he continued, " Lets go over the facts, okay." He didn't wait for them to agree. "We know that she left here and that she didn't make it to the spring. Now I know it was only about twenty minutes between her leaving and Sango returning worried about Kagome. So, unless she has a talent for flying that we didn't know about she shouldn't have been able to get that far without help, right?"

They nodded and waited to see where the monk was going with his thinking.

"And we know she didn't go with Sesshoumaru, because he was gone way before she'd left to go to the spring. I saw him leave and so did Inuyasha from the top of the tree. There's no sign of a struggle and the clothes she took with her are no where to be found, so we have to assume they're still in her possession...."

Sango and Inuyasha exchanged identical looks as he trailed off. They had a feeling they weren't going to like what he said next, but waited quietly for him to continue.

After a moment Mirouku picked up where he left off. "So, it can only mean that she went with whoever she ran into in the forest. Which she had to have done since there is no way she couldn't have gotten far without help."

"Alright Mirouku. Let's just assume you're right for a moment. That brings up the questions who and where?"

"Well Inuyasha I cannot answer the who, but the where is fairly obvious: where are we headed?"

"What are you saying Mirouku?" asked Sango as she took a step closer to the monk. "Do you mean she has gone there alone?"

Mirouku stared into a pair of eyes that he'd grown to know so well... a face he saw even in his dreams. He didn't want to answer her question, because he knew how it would affect her. He knew she'd be even more worried and scared for their friend.

He moved forward and wrapped his arms around the woman he loved more then life itself and pulled her close as he whispered to her. "Yes, Sango, but I do not think she's alone."

"Mirouku, who could she have gone with? Why would she go without us?" She rested her forehead on his shoulder as she exhaled heavily.

"I have no idea Sango, but I would imagine she went without us to protect us."

"What the hell are you talking about Mirouku? Like I need a stupid ningen to protect me?!"

"Think Inuyasha," he replied as he moved his arm to swiftly knock the hanyou over the head with his staff without letting go of Sango and ignoring the hanyou's outraged look, "Kagome knows we are walking into a trap and not just any trap since we have no idea what or who we are up against. All we know is that Kagura has something to do with it, but that doesn't mean much in the end. It is only expected, given the type of person Kagome is, that such odds will not go on noticed. She would not want us to get into any more trouble for her... especially with odds like this. Kagome would do anything to protect those she care about."

"Well that's just stupid!!"

"Indeed," said Mirouku quietly. He couldn't help agreeing with Inuyasha. This was not one of Kagome's brighter ideas. He couldn't help thinking that it was going to prove to be a very dumb idea.

"We need Sesshoumaru."

Mirouku heard the quiet statement coming from his shoulder and couldn't help agreeing with that as well.

"Indeed."

Inuyasha also heard Sango's quiet words and had to bite his tongue to keep from making a crass remark. It took more effort then he thought, but he managed... just barely.

"Jaken?" called Mirouku suddenly.

"Yes," answered the toad from his spot near the children.

"When do you suppose the Taiyoukai will be back?"

Jaken didn't like telling these stupid humans anything about his master, but he knew they would not take silence for an answer.

"Sesshoumaru-sama has gone to check on his lands. He will return by daybreak."

"Sesshoumaru-sama..."

They all went still when they heard the childish whisper and waited with baited breaths... but the little girl said nothing more. The kitsune hadn't said a word for the better part of two hours.

"We have to go after her," said Inuyasha quietly to no one in particular.

"No," said Mirouku. There was no way they could follow at night with the children, besides he'd rather wait for the Taiyoukai to return. He had a feeling he wasn't going to be very happy when he learned the miko wasn't there... and he had a feeling they were going to need his strength when they reached whatever was waiting for them at the end of their journey. "We wait for morning."

Jaken sighed and leaned his head back to gaze at the darken sky. He was worried about the miko too, though it was more for the fact that he knew his Sesshoumaru-sama was going to be very angry when he returned, then it was for the girl's health. Though if he was to be honest, he did sort of like the young ningen women. She was powerful and seemed to care for all life not just ningens. He could grow to respect her... once he got over all the times she'd hit him in the past. He did not once think about the fact that he'd deserved those hits every time. He just hoped his young master would not blame him for the miko's disappearance.

He sighed once more and prayed, as well as dreaded, the sight of daybreak.

**

~*~At the Castle ruins~*~

Kagome followed Kagura around the ruined castle. She noted that it looked as if they were going to the back, behind the castle, rather then into the sad looking object. In some ways it was a fascinating sight... to see something that from all appearances should not be standing at all. She wondered briefly how long it would continue to hold out? She guessed that as long as it was not greatly disturbed it would continue standing long pass her death even if it was on the proverbial 'last leg'.

Once again she got an uneasy feeling about the castle. Something just wasn't right, but she couldn't put her finger on exactly what it was that was bothering her about it.

They'd been on the ground for about twenty minutes. When they'd landed the feather had immediately reverted to its normal size. Then they had stood quietly for about ten minutes while she'd watched the wind demon just stand there and stare fixedly at the ruined castle. Kagome had waited patiently as the other woman just stood there staring, then she'd watched worriedly as the demon had seemed to be talking to herself... or to the voices in her head, which ever it was it made Kagome slightly nervous for the 'conversation' had seemed to be about her. Just as soon as the demon had finished her conversation, she'd turned to Kagome and told her to follow her. So she did... and now here she was walking around to the back of the castle in the demon's wake and wondering where the Shikon jewel was and what the hell was going on. But, she didn't get the chance to ask because in the next moment her eyes were riveted to the sight before her.

"Kagura..." she trailed off as she took in the unexpected sight. They were at the back of the castle but, there was one thing different about it from the rest of the castle... it was whole. Completely whole; there wasn't a single mark, burn, blemish or hole in the structure. It was spectacular! The stones were clean and whole as if it had just been built. Kagome was completely dumbfounded. How could the front look the way it did and the back remained completely unharmed? It didn't make any sense.

Though in a strange way, it was a brilliant plan, she had to admit. After all, who would look for their enemy in a ruined castle much less in the back of a ruined castle, hmm? 'No one.' Exactly!

The stones were perfectly structured. Even the back tower was complete. Though it stood high the tower did not stand higher then the rest of the castle, which explained why the tower could not be seen from the front. Nope, from the front all you could see was the gaping holes and burns, wondering how the heck it was still standing, and of course, the forest behind it.

Kagome looked around herself as she noted that the forest was indeed very close. She shivered at the thought of someone being locked in that tower with nothing but the dark forest to look out at. A person would pay for the sun to never stop shining in that event. She knew she would.

"Kagura?"

The other girl turned to face the young miko and waited silently for her to continue.

"Why are we here?"

"For the shikon jewel. Is that not why you came along?"

Kagome refrained from pointing out that she was the one who had been sent to kidnap her.

"Who sent you to get me?"

Kagura looked away from her towards the dark forest to her right before she spoke.

"I can't tell you that."

"Alright, we'll come back to that later and try something else. Why have you been following us? I know you were leading us here."

"Yes, but not so much here, just in this direction. It was easier for me if you were heading where I was told to bring you. That was why I followed you as well. To keep watch."

"How come the others couldn't sense you? Why only Sesshoumaru and I could?"

"I have a cloaking spell on me. It hides my scent. You two were able to sense me because you both have already been exposed to this power before. Your senses recognize its signature."

"I don't understand."

"I know."

"What do you mean by signature?"

Kagura ignored her question. She could not tell the miko any more. It would not be good for her if she did. Naraku did not want the miko to know he was 'alive' yet, and Kagura was sure he was listening to their entire conversation. They were close enough to the castle for it to be possible now.

Kagome watched the wind demon as she gazed quietly at the forest. The other girl had not taken her eyes from the wooded area the entire time they'd spoken. She wondered what could have caught the demon's interest.

"Why me?" she asked instead. Kagome didn't even know the question was running around in her mind.

Kagome watched, as the demon gave no reaction to having heard her question. Then after a few moments of quiet, when she had started to think the demon wasn't going to answer that question either, the other turned in her direction. She watched as Kagura sighed lightly and nodded her head as if coming to a decision before her eyes connected with the demon's red gaze.

"Because he fears you."

Kagome's eyes went wide at that. Out of all the things she'd been expecting the other girl to say, that was no where on the list.

"KAGURA!!'

Kagura winced inwardly from the booming voice.

"I told you not to tell her Kagura."

'And I have not,' she responded to the voice invading her head.

"Then what was that?"

'That was an answer to her question. She does not know of whom I speak."

"She could figure it out!"

Kagura decided not to point out that he'd just admitted to being afraid of the young miko and that the miko knew of his fear. She figured it would not be met with kind words and remained quiet instead.

"Do not mess this up for me Kagura. I want her and that stupid hanyou! She must not know its me, until I deem it time."

Kagura began to reply when she felt a sharp pain in her chest and clutched at it instead as her eyes went wide. She fell to her knees as the pain intensified.

Kagome watched in shock as the other girl fell and grab at her chest in obvious pain. It was so sudden, she didn't know what to do.

"Kagura!" she moved towards the fallen demon. It was not in her nature to ignore someone in pain. "What's wrong Kagura?"

Kagura did not hear the miko talking to her. The pain and the voice in her head was blocking out everything else.

"Do you understand me Kagura? I will make you pay if you blow this... and Kanna too. Do not forget her."

Kagura bobbed her head up and down since she was in too much pain to say anything, internally or otherwise. She had not forgotten about her sister. Though part of her did not believe Naraku would truly hurt the younger girl. He had no reason to... then again she knew he might just do it to keep her in line.

Kagome watched Kagura's head bob up and down and figured she was in much pain. Not thinking about what she was doing, she placed her hand on the kneeling girl's shoulder. Immediately her hand began to glow with the very familiar fuscia light.

Kagura instantly started feeling the pain going away and realized that Naraku was also no longer in her head. She didn't know if he'd let her go or if Kagome's powers, that she could feel running through her from the hand on her shoulder, had done it. Whatever it was, she was glad for it. She hated when he resulted to using her heart against her. He did every time he thought she had done something wrong... which was becoming more often lately.

She had no idea how much more of said treatment, or punishment, she could take. Not to mention how much longer she had, with his zest for causing her pain growing, before he 'accidentally' squeezed her heart 'til he crushed it. She knew she had to get herself and her sister away from him, but that was becoming more and more difficult. And the only person who could help her was the girl beside her. Who was, for all purposes, her enemy and wanted by the demon who was even more of her enemy.

With that thought in mind Kagura tipped her head side ways as she gave the girl beside her a speculative look. Without a word she threw her arm, the one that was not being touched by the miko, straight up above her head. Her palm laying flat open and horizontal to the sky, they both tilted their heads back and watched as a light blue glow grew from the middle of her hand like a tiny fire ball.

Kagome watched as a thousand tiny rays of blue light shot out all around them forming a small circle around her and the wind demon. Next thing she knew they were standing in a pale blue bubble.

Kagome's eyes widened when she realized Kagura had formed a small barrier around them. She wondered why the demon did that.

"Kagura?" She removed her hand from the other girl's shoulder as she watched Kagura slowly get to her feet. "Why did you build a barrier?"

"No time for explanations. Can you do the same? One that is sound proof, because mine will not hold for long?"

"It won't? It looks fine to me."

Kagome looked at the barrier once more and agreed with herself that it did look sturdy with no signs of cracking or falling.

"Yes," Kagura said with a wave of her hand, "but it will not stay sound proof for long against him. Can you make one that is? Now?"

"Yes," Kagome nodded.

"Do it."

Kagome narrowed her eyes at the order, but did as she was asked anyway. She wanted to know where Kagura was going with this.

Kagura watched the other girl's eyes glow with the same fuscia her hand had moments before, then saw a small dome form around them just as she brought her own barrier down. She searched around her with her senses and confirmed that they were, indeed, cut off from the rest of the world, and most importantly the occupants of the castle.

"I learned that last night. I had no idea I could do it, until I needed to when I..." Kagome blushed when she realized what she was about to say and stammered as she continued, "I... ah, needed some privacy. Yeah..."

Kagura listened to the other girl's babble and tried not to laugh. She could sense the miko's embarrassment, but had no idea what caused it. She figured Kagome was embarrassed to have taken so long to learn such a simple barrier spell.

Kagura shrugged at this, she guessed the miko probably already had the knowledge but just never realized since she never needed it before last night. She figured Kagome had probably used it to keep that perverted monk of theirs away while she and the taijiya were bathing. She'd seen them monk spy on them a few times over the length of time she'd been following them. Of, course those were only on the days that the Taiyoukai had been too busy to keep the houshi in line and at the campsite. She'd laughed at the hentai monk's antics.

"Kagome."

Kagome came to attention at hearing her given name coming from the wind demon. She was surprised since Kagura had always called her 'miko'.

"Be careful when you are in the castle. Remember that things are not always as they seem. Pay close attention, for every building tells a story; even this castle. If you are willing to listen, you will learn what it is he hides. Expect nothing; be prepared for anything. He will be watching."

"He? Who is he? Why am I here Kagura?"

"Because it's what he wants."

"And there's that he again!" Kagome said irritably. She was starting to loose her patience, "Who is he?"

Kagura wondered if she should tell the miko. She knew she wasn't supposed to, but she also knew he wouldn't know while she was in the barrier. Kagura steeled herself and plunged ahead before she could think better of it.

"Naraku."

Kagome's heart nearly fell from her chest. She stared wide-eyed at Kagura and try to make sense of what she knew the demon could not have just said. There was no way! 'I saw him die.' She had no doubts about that. So, why was the demon saying otherwise?

She narrowed her eyes on Kagura and wondered what the demon was playing at now. What was the demon up to giving her a bunch of cryptic riddles while telling her to be careful and then telling her Naraku was alive when Kagome knew he was dead?

"What are you on Kagura? Naraku is dead."

"Yes-"

"But, you just said it wa-" Kagome cut her off, only to be cut off as Kagura finished her statement.

"And no."

Kagome blinked. 'Yes and no?' Now, she was confused. How could someone be dead and not be dead?

"What?"

"He is dead... and he is not dead."

"I saw him die."

"You saw his body die," she nodded in agreement.

"Is there a difference?" she blinked with a hint of ire in her voice.

"Yes, there is," Kagura looked into the miko's eyes and added, "As you will soon find out."

Kagome gave her a skeptical look, but said nothing.

"We must go in now. I'm sure he has become suspicious of the silence."

"Just a sec." Kagome couldn't really say she believed the demon, but she could tell Kagura, herself, believed what she was saying so, she decided not to press and wait. She had no doubt that someone had sent the demon after her, unless Kagura was acting on her own. Which Kagome had no problem believing considering the Naraku story the demon had just told her... but she didn't think so. Someone or something had caused Kagura pain earlier, and she had a feeling whatever it was, was in the castle... waiting.

"Where's the Shikon no Tama?"

Kagura turned to look at the castle to her left and sighed, "It's in there. But I should warn you, he has done something to it."

"Done something to it?" Kagome repeated, "Like what?"

Kagura turned back to the miko. Crimson met chocolate and held.

"I don't know. Something is wrong with it though." Kagura could see the frustration on the other girl's face and startedt to get annoyed too. After all, she was the one risking her neck here not the miko. "Look Kagome, I can only tell you what I know. I don't know what Naraku has done to the jewel or why he wants you and the hanyou. I have no idea what his plans are. I only know they involve you. He tells me what he thinks I need to know; nothing more."

"Hanyou?" Kagome thought aloud. "Inuyasha? He wants Inuyasha too?"

Kagura nodded.

"Then why didn't you take him too?"

"It was not necessary. He will come on his own."

"He will?"

Kagura raised her eyebrows and Kagome's obvious stupidity.

"You are here, are you not? He will come to rescue you."

Kagome had to agree that her friends would come for her and smiled at that, but her smiled died quickly at Kagura's next words.

"As will your Taiyoukai, for they both love you. Hm, Naraku did not plan for that. I wonder what he will do when he realizes."

Kagome's eyes narrowed at the mention of Sesshoumaru, but asked about another part of the demon's statement instead.

"Both?"

"Hmm?" Kagura came out of her thoughts at her question and had to think what the miko was asking her. "Oh. Yes, both are in love with you. Didn't you know? Granted the hanyou loves the clay miko as well, but it is no matter. He has already let her go."

'He has? When?' Kagome asked herself. She wondered how Kagura knew about it, when she didn't. Then she figured the demon must have spied on Inuyasha and Kikyou. That thought made her wonder if the wind demon had spied on her and Sesshoumaru last night as well. Kagome immediately started to panic with embarrassment, but then calmed down when she remembered they'd had a shield protecting them the whole time. The demon couldn't have seen them. She nearly sighed in relief.

She decided she'd think about what Kagura had said about Inuyasha and Kikyou later.

"Bring down the barrier Kagome. We must go in now. He will have questions."

Kagome watched as she turned to face the castle presenting Kagome with her back. The demon stayed that way until Kagome brought the barrier down.

Kagura walked towards the castle once the shield was removed. She did not worry about Kagome letting it slip that she knew Naraku was behind all this, for she knew the younger girl did not believe her. Kagura didn't worry over much about this; Kagome would find out sooner then she wanted to that Kagura was telling the truth. Nothing could be done about it now.

Kagome followed Kagura towards a small door in the stones. For the first time she contemplated running away, but she immediately tossed that idea away. Nothing was solved by running and besides... this was where she was going to end up anyway, right? This was where the Shikon jewel was and she needed the jewel. It wasn't just her responsibility.

She stood still and tilted her head back and gave the night sky a wistful look as she noticed it was beginning to lighten then she stepped forward to followed the older girl through the door once it was opened.

Kagome prayed again that she wasn't making a big mistake.

~*~Daybreak at the Camp~*~

No one slept as they waited for Sesshoumaru to return. Inuyasha had tried twice more to get them to go on after Kagome without the Taiyoukai, but no one would listen. In the end he'd huffed and swore as he jumped to the top of the oak tree to wait.

Mirouku was sitting against the base of the tree with Sango pressed to his side. Kirara was snuggled warmly in her lap asleep. She hadn't said a word since her last statement about them needing the Taiyoukai. He tightened his arm around her as they sat quietly waiting for the sky to brighten and in effect bring the Taiyoukai to them.

He looked over at the children and saw that they were still asleep. They'd both had cried themselves to sleep last night after all had gone quiet. Jaken, he noted, was still by Rin's side. He wondered whether that was by want or order. He leaned his head back and shut his eyes though he didn't imagine he'd sleep. He'd given up on that hope hours ago.

Twenty minutes later he was jolted from his relaxed spot the sense that someone was approaching them. A very powerful demon, he realized, and hoped it was the Taiyoukai.

He was not disappointed.

Sesshoumaru landed smoothly in the middle of the campsite and knew immediately something was wrong. He could sense the sadness and the anger as well as the relief that seemed to flood through them when he landed. Sesshoumaru looked around until his eyes landed on the body he was looking for.

"Jaken? Where is Kagome?" He'd noticed her absence. What worried him was that he didn't sense her at all. It was as if she wasn't there anywhere.

Jaken's eyes bugged out of his head as he stammered in his attempt to answer his master's question.

"L-L-Lord Sesshoumaru. She... ah, s-she's n-n-" fear was clogging the toad's throat. He was relieved when the houshi cut in.

"She's not here Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru's head slowly turned to the monk. He locked eyes with Mirouku and quietly waited for him to continue.

"She has been missing all night. Since a little after you left, actually. We don't think she was kidnapped though we do believe she was aided in her leaving."

Mirouku had gotten to his feet when he heard Sesshoumaru question his retainer. He slowly took a step forward and quietly filled the youkai in all that they'd figured out since he was gone. He saw the flash in the Taiyoukai's eyes when he'd finished and felt a moment of thanks that the Lord of the Western Lands was on their side this time.

"We have been waiting for you to return."

Sesshoumaru turned towards the quiet statement and took in the tortured look in the taijiya's eyes. He stared at the young women still sitting on the floor as he witnessed her sadness.

"I have a bad feeling..." she trailed off as she stared back into those golden eyes.

"SESSHOUMARU-SAMA!" wailed Rin as she ran and threw her arms around her guardian's legs for the second time in as many days. "Sesshoumaru-sama must help Kagome-nee-chan," she said as she tilted her head back to look up at him. Rin couldn't see him clearly through the tears pooled in her eyes, though.

Sesshoumaru watched tears overflow and pour out the corner of the little girl's eyes. He could tell that the miko had come to be as important to Rin as she had become to him.

He'd gone away so he could think and see if the feelings he was having for Kagome would go away. Out of sight; out of mind, right? Wrong. He'd just thought about her more with her not around for him to see or touch. Sesshoumaru had slowly come to the conclusion that loving her was a sickness that was not going to go away soon. He didn't like that. He couldn't believe he was in love with a ningen. No matter how powerful she was, at the end of the day there was still the fact that she would grow old and die one day. He didn't like that either. Of course, there was ways around that.... but he didn't want to think about that, because that would mean he was going to keep her, and he didn't imagine that would ever happen. Not as long as she loved the half-breed.

Speaking of the half-breed.... He narrowed his eyes....

"IT'S ABOUT FUCKING TIME YOU SHOWED BACK UP! CAN WE GO NOW?!"

Sesshoumaru brought his head up quickly in the direction of the yell. He saw Inuyasha standing a few feet behind Mirouku to the right of the taijiya. He had every intention of cleaning the baka's mouth out with soap, but first....

"Step back Rin."

When the little girl released him and took several steps back he shot off in a blur of speed towards the hanyou

Mirouku blinked once then widened his eyes. He'd never seen him move! He was looking at the Taiyoukai then the next thing he knew he felt a gust of wind and a white blur fly closely pass him.

He pivoted on his feet in time to see Inuyasha slammed hard against the oak tree's trunk. Hard. He quickly darted his eyes down to make sure Sango was alright and sighed when he saw that she still sat in the same position she'd been in when he'd moved from her side. Other then a few wisps of her hair flying in the wind Sesshoumaru had generated when he moved, not a hair was out of place. He had to admire the demon's precision.

Inuyasha only had time to widen his eyes when he found himself slammed against the same tree he'd just come down from. A clawed hand was wrapped tight around his neck as he was held by one arm off the ground. At the other end of said arm was his brother, who by the looks of it was very pissed off. He watched Sesshoumaru's eyes flash with unleashed anger and shivered slightly. Inuyasha stared in awe. For the first time in a very long time he felt true fear.

"You were supposed to protect her."

~*~

Duchess: "Hello all, I would like to thank everyone for their support in this story... and apologize for the cliffy! Again.

I seem to do that alot."

Sesshou: "Yes, its a wonder you're still breathing."

Duchess: "Aww, you do care Sesshou-kun."

Sesshou: (arching an eyebrow) "I have not forgotten that idiot remark in chapter 12."

Duchess: "Oh, let it go. I have!"

Sesshou: "Indeed"

Kagome: "I haven't!"

Duchess: (hangs head in shame) "Kagome I'm sorry. I didn't mean it, even if you were acting like one... and still are."

Kagome: "Excuse me? YOU'RE THE ONE WRITING THIS!"

Duchess: "True" (smiles broadly)

Sesshou: "You will pay for your words. Now." (starts walking towards Duchess)

Duchess: "Ah..." (retreating a step for every step Sesshou makes) "Well, I... ah, have to go now. See you guys next chapter! Or at the The Feud, which is what I'm updating next!" (taking another step back and hits the wall)

Sesshou: (smiles smugly) "No where to go now..."

Duchess: "Sesshou-kun, please. I apologized."

Sesshou: "Not to me."

Duchess: (frowning at the truth of his words) "Ack!!" (seeing the leering smile on Sesshou's face) "I don't know what that... that smile is all about (trying not to melt at his feet), but I am not staying to find out!" (silver eyes glow a bright blue)

Sesshou realizing what she's about to do lunges for her but misses as Duchess disappears.

Sesshou: "Dammit. No matter, I'll get her."

Kagome: "Whatever Sesshou. Hope you liked the chapter! Bye, bye."