InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Prisoner, My Prisoner ❯ Five Cell Prison ( Chapter 5 )

Prisoner, My Prisoner

Part 5

Author: profiler120

Email: profiler120@hotmail.com

Rating: PG/PG-13

Genre: Romance/General [AU]

Author's Notes: Naraku you'll get to see a little of his point of view. When you read it, he's a little bit of a control freak, some of the comments he makes are... odd. It's nothing incestuous (since they're father/daughter) or anything like that, okay? ^_^

WARNING: There is lime-ish content ahead. I don't want to raise the rating for the whole story, which is why I'm warning you. It's nothing that will scar any youngsters for life, but be warned it does lie ahead and it is of the non-consensual type.

However I do introduce Onigumo in this chapter and he is a full fledge psycho, and he... well... you'll see.

One part of the story changes p.o.v. frequently within the scene, so you'll notice more (. . .) than you usually see in my chapters.

( . . . ) - Triple Periods denote point of view changes within the same scene.

Questions:

1. Ashleekyle - I figured that's the part you meant (about the monsters). I apologize that it was unclear - I really meant for Kagome to be thinking of her captors as the monsters and that Rin didn't understand she was being held against her will. I haven't done much with Kagura, she's a really hands-off mother who has tried to betray her family in the past. You will see her in the future, chapter 6 and 7 I believe.

2. Does Kagome have any idea what sparked the war between the house holds? - She might, I haven't figured out myself why they're fighting yet. I will have to go into why they're fighting later, but I haven't given it much thought yet. Kagome may conceivably know however.

3. Was Naraku always a lord or whatever he is? - Um, I mentioned a little bit of his past when Kikyo was thinking about her mother. He rose to power by conquering, although it's probably related to why he and Inutaisho are at war with each other.

4. Does he have a shady past that would involve either being Onigumo, or knowing him, Oni guy? - Absolutely does! ^_^ I don't even think I've mentioned Ongiumo yet, have I? He's in this chapter.

5. What about Sango and Miroku or do they not fit into this story due to the story mainly revolving around Kagome's interactions with the people in the house hold? - Sango & Miroku, hmm, haven't even thought about them, and here I thought I'd included everyone. That's a good idea, I should write it down. I'm going to need more characters I'm sure. ^_^ 'The household' situation however is going to change and you'll see it in this chapter.

6. Sapience - The 'incident' will be explained this chapter.

7. Jessica - Why does their father want to see Kagome? Are Sesshoumaru & his family demons? - Exactly, what's he want her for? It's in this chapter. They are not demons, this is an AU - all humans although some have strange powers, (Kagome, Kikyo, Kanna, Urusae, Goshinki, Kagemaru, etc.)

It was going to storm soon, she thought, staring out the open doorway into the courtyard.

"Urusae has not returned from the Citadel."

Kikyo stiffened recognizing the voice of her father.

"You haven't heard from her?"

"Briefly, several days ago when she reported Kagome was there. Six days ago we received a short message that she had indeed survived your little 'mercy killing'. Since then however I have heard nothing and no one has seen Kagome."

Kikyo turned to face him. "Do you think she's alive still? Why would they keep her? Kagome has never been given any tactical or otherwise important information."

"True enough, but Kagome has a very sharp miko prowess, she is a formidable weapon if you can get past her silly 'no killing policy'. But I will not allow anyone to have her - next week we begin a new operation. I have been arranging servants to be sent to the Citadel to discover if she is in fact there. You will be in charge of supervising it; I have to head north to meet Onigumo and to straighten out Goshinki."

She nodded grimly and he turned to leave.

"I am not pleased with you, Kikyo."

She froze.

"I want Kagome home, or I want her dead. She will not be lost to my enemy!"

The chill his in stare sent shivers through her and she could only nod. When he finally left she sighed weakly.

. . .

He walked away from the room displeased. Kikyo was not performing well, Kagura was being bitchy again, Goshinki was on another ego spiked killing spree, Kanna was apparently missing, and Kagome might still be alive. His plans were falling apart, his very family was disintegrating and Kagome had been gone but a short few months. For a girl who did nothing but enjoy a simple, sheltered lifestyle, she was certainly shattering his entire operation with simply being 'gone'. He scowled.

The moment he'd heard she was missing he'd been infuriated. When he'd discovered who had her, he was even further enraged. Even now it made his blood boil. His daughter - his Kagome. His perfectly uncorrupted masterpiece. The only thing in the bleak world that was worthy of being uncorrupted simply because she was his. The only thing that preserved her weak little carcass was because it was his blood that flowed through her - she was a mystery that surprised and delighted him. He enjoyed her; she was better than a pet. His ultimate control, her obedience. Everything about her, his little Kagome was in his control.

There was no one for him to summon in the evenings when his stressful day was over to play an instrument for him. He no longer had her to sit and chatter about little things he could care less about, which he occasionally enjoyed. There was no one to buy gowns for, no one to annoy with his overbearing behavior. No one barging in his library yelling about injustice, no one but Kagome even attempted such stunts and even she knew when to draw the line. He smiled weakly, damn; he really was going to miss her. But worse yet, he had lost his most powerful lure. He'd been using Kagome as a bargaining chip for many years, promising her in marriage to several families as part of contracts and agreements. Kikyo simply did not have the innocent appeal that Kagome did. When word leaked out she was 'missing' and then further that Masaharu had her, chaos had erupted.

He had silently seethed as his agreements eroded slowly, some immediately called off. Inch by precious inch his carefully developed and integrated plans were being chipped away by rumor and suspicion. It didn't help that it was Masaharu who had captured her. Even if he got her back, it couldn't stop the damage now. He didn't even know in what condition she might be returned to him in. He scowled again throwing open the doors to his chambers and stopping abruptly. He turned his ruby gaze down the hall.

Entirely too many people were forgetting their place. Starting tomorrow he was taking control of things again. He would make everyone remember just who was in charge around here, but tonight. Tonight, he was going to start with his bitchy wife, who apparently thought to escape him again. She had been given express orders to wait for him in his room, and yet she was not here. That meant he was going to find her slumped over a table laden with sake. He scowled again. The only thing that kept Kagura from dangling on a hook somewhere was the fact he enjoyed making her positively miserable. That was another thing - tomorrow, the house was rid of its sake store. He was utterly tempted to smash every bottle in the room and make her lap it off the floor if she desired it so badly.

He tore open the door to a small side sitting room. He'd heard her gaily laughter from outside and the suspiciously low tones of a male. How interesting. Not only was he being disobeyed, but also she sought other male company. He grinned wickedly. Oh, everyone was just begging for punishment, weren't they?

The occupants turned their eyes toward him. It was one of his male servants. The young man visibly shrank under his gaze, trying to appear diminutive. Kagura simply looked away, downing another glass of her drink.

"Well now... look at this. I was looking for you Kagura."

She scoffed but remained silent.

"And here I find you enjoying yourself and with company too."

He stepped within, leaving the door open.

"I... I'm very sorry my Lord. Lady Kagura gave me the order to stay and I couldn't disobey her... I was afraid that-"

"You are dismissed."

Naraku didn't spare him a glance as the young man fled. It was Kagura who would be punished.

"Figures... men don't have any backbone these days," she muttered. "Where do you get these spineless little whelps?"

He walked calmly toward her, hauling her from the floor. Her head bobbed sharply with the movement.

"I hope you enjoyed it," he started, taking the glass from her hands and purposely smashing it as he tossed it down at the table. "Tonight will the be the last drop of alcohol you savor, my dear. I don't like it when you're drunk - you miss out on the entire experience."

She scowled at him as he pulled her along, returning to his bedroom.

He watched dispassionately as she sat stilly there. She looked small, and vulnerable. She hadn't said a word all morning, despite the hustle and bustle of the servants milling around her. Last night with his father she'd been told - he knew she had. He himself had been told only a few hours before her, but there wasn't anything he could do about it.

He'd been told, in no uncertain terms, she was being pulled out of his care and placed into the custody of his uncle. She was leaving this morning heading for his uncle's fortified outpost location. It was a long trip - it would probably take several days to ride on horseback. Since last night she'd been silent, and he had forbid Rin from seeing her. Even now her minders were watching over his daughter strictly. She would be disappointed, but he was powerless. He hated being powerless, and more than that he hated having orders retracted, it meant in his own ambiguous terms, 'failure'.

He was confused as to why his father had suddenly rescinded his previous orders and transferred her. Although he had some suspicion it had to do with his behavior toward her but it was all too late now. It didn't really matter. His father was moving her to the farthest location he could send her to away from the Citadel and still be within his territory.

He felt rather than saw his brother step up beside him.

"Why's he sending her away?"

He was shamed to admit he didn't know. He, his father's most trusted son, and one of his most important advisors. He had not been told. He turned his head slightly away, maintaining his silence. Inuyasha, surprisingly, took the hint.

"Think she'll be all right?"

He turned a glance down at him.

"I mean... she... she's not that bad a girl."

Even Inuyasha, too, seemed to like her. In that hallway she had saved his life by killing Urusae and then she had saved Inuyasha's as well.

After a lapse, he continued. "Has she said anything about leaving?"

"She hasn't said anything at all," Sesshoumaru replied, feeling less interested than usual in conversation.

Inuyasha's head seemed to drop a notch as though he were disappointed before it rose again decidedly. Faltering briefly he stepped forward, stalking toward her.

. . .

Kagome yelped as she was pulled up onto a horse. This wasn't going to be pleasant. Armed men, and servants laden with packages surrounded her. She turned her head skyward, not making eye contact with anyone, not even the man who sat behind her on the horse. Her hands were, surprisingly, tied in front of her as though they feared she might try to fight off her guard and steal the horse.

She clenched her eyes closed, lowering her head, turning shut eyes down toward the horse.

"Hmmm?" Her eyes popped open as she felt an awkward, almost childish tug on her kimono. "Inuyasha-sama?"

"... I just..." he trailed off, turning to look off in another direction. "... Wanted to say thanks and stuff. For helping me... back there with the... you know."

She seemed to spring back to life as she broke into a giggle, which faded into a pleasant smile. "You're welcome, I'm glad you're all right. Around my wrist -" she held her tied hands out and showed him just beyond the rope was a delicately crafted piece of jewelry. "Will you give this to Rin? It will be my parting friendship gift to her. She's a sweet girl, I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye, but it's probably easier this way."

He unclasped the expensive chain, palming it in his hand looking torn.

"Goodbye," she said, thinking it would likely be the last time they saw one another.

. . .

Inuyasha returned to his side as he watched her go. She didn't so much as glance in his direction, and yet she had practically beamed at his idiotic brother. The same brother of his that she'd been all but glaring at on previous occasions. He didn't fight or rationalize this little sprout of jealousy away, but accepted it for what it was.

"Here."

He held out a hand and Sesshoumaru reluctantly reached to take it. A skillfully crafted metal chain fell into his hand.

"She gave it to me for Rin, she called it 'a final parting friendship gift'."

Sesshoumaru growled lowly turning his narrowed, angry gaze up at the Citadel's top windows where he knew his father would be watching.

. . .

Inutaisho turned away from the window and the heated look his eldest son was now giving him. He would be irritable for a while and he'd get over it, he conjectured. Nijiko stepped up beside him turning her gaze down to watch the retreating band as they rode away from the castle when her eyes caught Sesshoumaru's angry stare.

"I thought you said you were going to allow Sesshoumaru to make his own decisions regarding the girl."

He moved away, settling down and began shifting his papers.

"Inutaisho?"

"I changed my mind," he gruffly replied in a tone that clearly ended the conversation.

The dining room was quiet, as it always was but the strained atmosphere it had acquired the last few days seemed to have faded a bit. The normally stoic young man turned his gaze down toward where the girl had sat the first few days she'd dined with them, and he frowned.

He needed to get his mind off her. Tension was taught between him and his father recently. At least Rin however had not been as heartbroken over Kagome's leaving as he thought she might be. The girl had pouted and whined but ultimately she'd run off playing again. The bracelet Kagome had given Inuyasha for Rin remained in his possession. He rationalized it off by considering the fact Rin would likely just lose it anyway.

There was an urgent knocking at the door before it slid open.

"Master, there is a problem!" Sesshoumaru looked up, as did his father and brother.

"What?"

"I have had word from your brother, the envoy never arrived. Fukui-sama sent a group to investigate along the path and found a camp site with all the packages sent to be delivered, the men slaughtered and the girl missing."

His heart was thundering in his chest, so much so he had to look back down at his breakfast tray. He knew his father was watching him.

"Any clues on who may be responsible?"

The servant nodded grimly. "Kouga's troop of bandits down from Onigumo's territory."

His heart plummeted. She didn't have a chance.

No one said anything. Not even Inuyasha.

After a continued pause Inutaisho finally spoke. "I see. Any thoughts on what we should do from this point? Sesshoumaru?"

He reluctantly raised his head, turning his gaze toward his father impassively. "She was a prisoner, if Onigumo has her, then she is now his prisoner. There is no point in getting any further involved."

It pained him. It was a difficult decision, but he was not foolhardy enough to attempt reacquiring her by venturing into the lands held by Onigumo. Onigumo was a thug on par with only such trash as Naraku - Kagome had little to none of a chance of escaping those lands.

He knew from past experience what would befall her, especially if they discovered she was Higurashi's daughter. Onigumo took delight in adding all his female prisoners to his concubine pool until they displeased him and then he killed them. Kagome would be an irresistible morsel for him, she would never escape.

No one said anything and breakfast continued.

Her hands were manacled to the wall painfully above her head. She could feel the cold stone of the wall through her kimono contrasting with the warmer texture of the wood plank floor against her knees. Given her position, her back was aching from the firm slant created by the space between her bent legs and her arms almost behind her head forcing her to lean back against the wall. Her arms hurt from being up so long and now hung limply against her shackles, the only thing holding them up.

Why did these things always happen to her? Where was she? Better yet, where was that creep Kouga that had brought her here? She hung her head limply. Memories, startlingly fresh in her mind tormented her. Bodies littering the clearing, and the blood soaked ground, the scent of it heavy in the air.

There was a rustle, a shout, and then a stomping of footsteps. Moments later everything fell to chaos. She sat up fearfully, hands still tied. She could hear the tell tale signs of battle all around her, but could barely see anything. Forcing herself to her feet she carefully inched away, hoping she wouldn't be seen and that her dark colored kimono would help her blend in as she inched toward the woodland just some feet off.

She walked into the base of a tree, biting her tongue to keep from speaking. Just when she thought she'd made it beyond the battleground she heard laughter and felt strong male hands enclose her shoulders, pushing her roughly back against the base of the tree.

"Oh, ho, ho, ho! What is this, an escapee!" It was an oddly high-pitched male voice, and she could just barely see his outline in the darkness. "Yo! Kouga, I got a runner!"

His hands wandered from her shoulder, hand sliding down her chest and squeezing her breast. She yelped.

"Feels like a girl!"

She heard more footsteps and then she could make out another figure, only to be fondled by the other beast. "Get off me!" She snapped impudently.

"Oh, feisty. Bring her over."

Minutes later she found herself forced to sit, guards, and servants surrounding her. She was forced to watch as they were interrogated, and then one by one, killed in front of her. Her screams echoed through the night as she pleaded for them to stop, but the bleeding didn't until the last person fell and she was alone with her captor. Inconsolable.

She'd ended up here, locked away in this room. No one had spoke to her. She'd been alone for hours. Desperation was setting in. Given the opportunity she'd fling her self out of the first window, hoping it would be enough to kill her. Silently, to herself, she thought. Day One.

Kagome whimpered as he turned his salacious eyes on her again, the shackles digging into her wrists.

"Naraku's youngest daughter, amazing. What an amazing bout of luck!" The man exclaimed turning to his servant. "Kouga, did you find anything with her?"

"We rifled through her things, just worthless clothes and junk."

"Very well, you're dismissed. Excellent work Kouga, you will be rewarded." Onigumo grinned again, turning his eyes back to his twisting young captive.

He reached off to one side, sliding a dagger off a table and proceeding toward her.

"And here I'd thought I'd never get to meet Naraku's charming daughters." His eyes roved over her. "You're quite lovely, really. I'll be sure to make note when I tell your Father when I intercepted Masaharu's little caravan, but you, unfortunately escaped."

She spat at him, but was clearly trembling in her bonds.

"Fight me if you want to lovely, but you will not like the results."

He finally stepped up to her sliding the blade under her silk kimono collar and tearing through the shoulder seam down curving around her side to the waist and then repeated the procedure on the other shoulder, causing the ripped kimono pieces to fall to her waist.

She whimpered again, tears making their way down her face.

"Oh, I love it when women cry... It's so... sensual."

He leaned forward, dragging his tongue up her cheek and then kissing down the same path, across the hollow of her throat and repeated it on her other cheek. His hands, grasping her elbows above her slid down over her smooth flesh to enclose her breasts.

His lips pressed flush against hers, but she was cold and uncooperative going as far as to try to turn her head. He dropped his head slightly to take her bottom lip into his mouth, suckling on her warm flesh.

The hands kneading her breasts suddenly constricted and her mouth fell open in a painful gasp. He chuckled.

"Does it hurt, lovely?"

She glared at him through pained, tearful eyes. He kissed her again, deeply, savoring the taste of the young girl when he felt her lips move against his slightly. He moaned in contentment until her teeth clamped down upon his lip.

He dropped a hand to the floor, feeling for the dagger, and raising it he slashed it brutally across her cheek and she released him, blood smearing both their mouths.

"Does it hurt, lovely?" She threw it back at him.

He dropped his head lowering, kissing along her shoulder as though unaffected, salivating against her flesh. He dropped lower, mouth catching around one breast, teeth bearing down slightly, causing more painful moans from the girl.

He laughed lowly against her skin. Behind him, the door opened...

. . .

Naraku stalked down the hall irritably. Where was the disagreeable bastard? First he hadn't been met in the audience chamber and now he was an hour late. He wasn't going to stand around because Onigumo decided he wanted a dalliance with one of his whores.

He growled throwing open door after door stalking further and further into the compound. Finally, tossing open another door he found the man he was searching for, and froze. His breath caught, hitching painfully in a way he'd never felt before.

The young woman's head snapped up, eyes meeting his, and then he noticed it. The tears. The blood. His hand automatically slipped to his side, sliding his sword from it's decorative sheath. He stepped within, dropping his eyes to the man kneeling and assaulting his daughter.

"Be gone, I did not call for anyone," Onigumo called apparently thinking him a servant.

He charged, knocking the man off his knees to the floor, falling back onto his back. Naraku snarled, palming the handle of his katana in a threatening motion before driving it through his shoulder and into the plank wooden floor at their feet.

Onigumo convulsed painfully, blood seeping through his clothes. "S-sorry..."

Fury clouded his vision as he stared at his 'ally' writhing on the floor.

"You have my daughter." He spoke, his voice strangely calm, a stark contrast to the ferocity that was burning within him.

"I-I didn't know..." Onigumo pleaded.

"You didn't know?" he paused not taking his eyes from his prey. "Kagome?"

"He... he said he was going to tell you he'd found the camp but that I was already gone."

That was all it took, with a quick flip the blade was twisted in the man's shoulder, causing shudders of pain through the victim as his flesh was torn and ripped. More blood seeping out onto the floor. Cold sweat now covered Onigumo's face as he was caught between pleading and whimpering.

"Kagome is mine alone. No one touches her without my permission," Naraku growled pulling the blade free from its chink in the floor and out of Onigumo's flesh. "And *you* are not allowed to touch her. Drag your carcass off the floor and release her."

Naraku kept his eyes upon Onigumo as he summoned a servant, clutching his badly wounded frame. Kagome collapsed weakly into Naraku's arms, and to her surprise, as well as his own, he scooped her up, holding her against him.

She crossed her arms across her chest and dropped her head against him, closing her eyes. He was barely aware of the faint tremble shaking his frame as he left.

Kagome sighed contentedly, once again back into her own room. It felt... nice to be home. Granted, she had realized she led somewhat of a crummy, sheltered life here but, this was home. She pulled herself up, her arms still ached from being bound like they were, but overall she didn't feel too bad. She was still tired, but she did not wish to return to the demons that haunted her dreams.

She left her chambers quietly, stepping into the hall and almost into a passing servant.

"Etsuko!"

She bound the older woman into a happy embrace.

"You should be resting, Kagome-sama," she chided gently.

"I know," Kagome quietly grumbled. "Do you... know where Kikyo is?"

She nodded weakly. "She is in the audience chamber with your father. I was supposed to come check on you and inform you that you were wanted in attendance there."

She sighed heavily. "That's never good."

Etsuko smiled and Kagome returned the gesture.

"Guess I better go."

She started off toward the audience chamber lost in her thoughts when she came upon her mother's favorite sitting room and watched as servants walked off laden with her mother's sake collection.

"What's going on?" She stopped one to ask.

"Your father has placed a ban on all sake, and all present alcohol is to be destroyed or removed from the property."

Kagome frowned, sighing heavily. Her mother was going to be in a horrible mood, and that was never good for anyone.

The room was quiet when she found her way to it. With the notable exception of her mother, all eyes were on her. She sat obediently next to her sister.

"I've decided to change things around a bit. Starting today, Kagome, you will go with your sister on patrol and learn the art of combat and the family business. Especially after your little 'stay' with Inutaisho, I realize now I should have done this long ago, then you might have been able to fend for yourself. And since we have not heard from Urusae, the two of you will be going to meet with Kagemaru. I expect good results, especially since you now have someone with a layout of the interior of the Citadel."

He grinned at Kagome, making her uneasy.

She and Kikyo left together, saying nothing until they were well out of the room.

Only then did she turn to her strangely silent older sibling.

"I understand Kikyo, it's all right."

She turned her downcast brown eyes up, their gazes locking, searching. As though Kikyo feared she really didn't mean it, that she wasn't truly being forgiven. Instead of words Kikyo reached for her hand, and held it a moment.

"I spoke to father last night, he told me what happened with Onigumo."

Kagome turned away. "That's not important, but Kikyo... at the Citadel... I..."

Kikyo squeeze her hand tighter. "What happened?"

Kagome took a cursory glance around and pulled her sister toward the nearest set of doors. The same doors she'd originally fled from that led to her capture. Once those infamous doors slid closed, Kagome leapt into her sister's arms, looping her arms around her, whispering. "I killed her."

Kikyo tensed. "Killed who?" She whispered back.

"Urusae."

Sesshoumaru stepped past one of his guards now lining the corridor of the shoddy little outpost. How Higurashi still managed to oppose his family by operating out of these little shacks impressed and baffled him all at the same time. Blood spattered the single level wood building's walls. No one that had been here was alive except for the two prisoners that had been taken for interrogation, and then they too would be killed.

As he rounded a corner he came to the room he'd been searching for and slid the door open, and then closed himself within. It was the commander's quarters he'd wanted to visit. Papers were scattered across the room, but the commander himself was missing. They had yet to discover where he had gone, but expected him to return by nightfall today. When he did, he would be captured, interrogated, and killed.

He sat down at the desk and began looking over the correspondence, most of which was directly from Naraku himself. That meant this 'commander Kagemaru' was an important fellow in the Higurashi ranks. He looked forward to nightfall when he would acquire the man and get one step closer to killing off that troublesome Naraku. The faster this war was over, the faster Rin could grow up safely.

He skimmed over the documents, but found nothing. Despite his efforts he found himself searching for her name in the writings. It had almost been eight days since her transport had been intercepted and she carried off to Onigumo's territories. She still lingered in his mind however, to a disturbing degree. So much so the delicately crafted metal chain she'd given Inuyasha for Rin was clasped around his own wrist.

Thoughts of her dimmed and his mind focused as he came upon something interesting.

' . . . expected to arrive soon. Among the new arrivals will be my daughter, during her stay there I want the Special Forces team concealed. Goshinki, Kanna, and the rest are to have no contact with her. At the end of one month, she will be returned to the main house.'

He would have liked to fool himself into believing it was her, but he knew her to be in the custody of Onigumo. He put the page aside and continued on looking through the rest.

. . .

"Why did you do it?"

Kagome raised her gaze uneasily from her horse a moment. "Why did I do what?"

"You promised Kaede you would never use your powers to harm another person, and yet you killed Urusae. So why did you do it?" Kikyo continued, keeping her gaze directly in front of them.

"He was... Sesshoumaru was... she was using some sort of spell. He was standing right next to me. Everything was... his breath, choking, it ... hurt me Kikyo. I couldn't... I couldn't watch that, I couldn't let him die. I killed Urusae to protect Sesshoumaru."

"Even though he is our enemy?"

Kagome's head dropped a bit. "Even so."

"You don't have the heart for this, Kagome." Their gazes met. "He wants to make you stronger, to force you to confront life and the reality of battle and hope it breaks your gentle heart so you can be like me. So you can kill as effectively as I have, but it won't work, I know it won't. The path we're on right now will only lead to your being killed."

"I don't know what to do," Kagome murmured.

"When we reach Kagemaru's outpost, stay close to me. Kagemaru is a quiet, but very aggressive man. Let me handle him."

"Weren't we supposed to meet him on this trip somewhere?" Kagome asked, a tad bit miffed at having been abandoned by their escort.

"He was held up on business."

The procession passed over a hill and the outpost came into sight. Kagome stared at the building nervously wondering what awaited her there while Kikyo watched it with more critical eyes, her horse slowing. Kagome glanced back as her animal kept moving.

"Kagome, wait!"

"Hey.. Hey, how do you stop this thing!?" Kagome called back.

. . .

Kagome yelped as she was pressed against the outer wall of the facility.

"What's going on? Since when do we sneak into our own buildings?" Kagome snapped.

"Something is wrong, quiet!"

"How do you know?"

"Quiet!" Kikyo urged, sneaking around and leaving her alone.

"Wait for me!" Kagome whined, following after Kikyo and stealing away into the building's evening shadow.

Now pressed against the building wall she peered around, but Kikyo was gone from sight. She felt her way along, and met an open doorway. Assuming Kikyo had gone in, she followed. Despite its rustic exterior the building was sturdily built and ornately finished within. She crept along the smooth floored corridors. The halls were reasonably lit, but no sound came from any direction. If someone were to come around a corner, she'd ... She didn't know what she'd do, there was nowhere to go. She couldn't outrun a guard.

She settled upon walking a few steps, stopping for sound and then proceeding. She didn't dare open any of the doors, afraid of what she might find within. She came to the edge of the hall. The only thing here was a doorway. She had two options, open the door in front of her, or head back outside into the darkness. She pressed her ear to the door and listened, it was silent. There could conceivably be no one inside and then she'd have someplace to hide. Right now she was open to anyone stepping out and carrying her off and she wasn't about to be anyone's prisoner again.

As she heard the distinct slide of doors behind her she panicked and almost threw herself into the room without a thought. She remained, facing the door, her hands pressed against the flat surface, heart pounding in her chest. Were they still out there? What was she going to do?

Thought fled as the blade of a katana suddenly appeared within her vision, lowering to press against her neck. She fell back fearfully into the arms of another captor trying to avoid the sharp edge. She was pressed flush back against a male she couldn't hope to see, and didn't dare attempt. She was just barely managing to breathe.

"Oh no," she whispered into he dimly lit room. "Please don't hurt me." She pleaded.

The blade pressed forward against her flesh threateningly. "Your name." A cold, male voice commanded.

Tears welled in her eyes, sobs catching her throat, hitching with her breath.

Her captor growled menacingly, pressing the blade against her and she felt it breach her skin just slightly. "HigurashiKagome!" She screeched in a breath. "Please, stop!"

Just as suddenly the blade was gone she was gripped about a wrist and spun to face him.

"Higurashi Kagome," he drawled, meeting her bright blue orbs.

"You..." Masaharu Sesshoumaru. She couldn't even say it, but just stared up into bright gold eyes, stunned. "What are you ... doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" He asked. "How did you get away from Onigumo?"

"How did you know I-"

The door flung open and Kagome was shoved behind him in a way that was eerily similar to a confrontation that had happened once before. Kikyo appeared, bow in hand and the standoff had begun.

"You again, you Masaharu's are worse than insects."

Battles were a blur to her, Sesshoumaru moved, Kikyo moved and then Kikyo just seemed to fall. Her knees buckling, but no blood appeared, to her relief.

"Let her go... please. I'll do whatever you want, just let Kikyo go."

"Kagome!" Kikyo's voice rose in a warning.

"You said yourself I can't do it. I can't... I can't go back home and be myself because he won't let me. I can't become another you for father."

"You want to go with this man, Kagome?"

Both turned their eyes to her, causing her to flush with embarrassment. What did she mean by that?'

"This is the man you killed Urusae for, isn't it?"

How did Kikyo always know such things?

"Y-yes, it is. But-"

Kikyo shook her head silently and Kagome dropped to her knees in a pose similar to that of Kikyo. Why did she suddenly feel like a huge disappointment? "I'm sorry."

"If I can avoid it, I will not say anything about Urusae. If he finds out she has died, and he asks, I will have to tell him Kagome."

She nodded silently. "It's okay."

"If he finds out... Goshinki and Kanna will come after you. They were her children." Kikyo turned her stony gaze up to Sesshoumaru. "I do not like you. You are unworthy of Kagome, but she seems to have some regard for you. She will need to be protected."

She stood, her head held proudly despite her second loss to the man in front of her and he sheathed his sword allowing her to go unhindered. Kikyo escaped and he turned toward her. Kagome looked down.

"Are you taking me back to your father?"

He knelt in front of her, tipping her chin up and the pressing his hand along the deep, horizontal slash across her cheek. She'd forgotten about the injury given to her by Onigumo until now. Another mark on her face, but the bruise given to her by Inuyasha had since faded away. His fingers ran across her flesh so gently she could forget he was her enemy.

As he drew his hand away a glitter of light caught her eye and she gasped. Around his wrist - was that? It wasn't really… her bracelet?

[End Chapter Five.]

Author's Notes: *sigh * - I'm glad this one's over with, it dragged a bit for me and I momentarily lost my inspiration. I'm hoping it comes back.

If anyone's wondering about "Blind Stitch…" it'll be a while longer. I know what I want to do with it, but I'm momentarily bored with it, so I'm trying not to write it. I just need two more pages to meet my self-imposed chapter length and then it will be edited and posted.

Does anyone know, is the term "miko-sama" incorrect? If so, what would be the correct way? Just "miko"?