InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Project Hope ❯ Captured ( Chapter 13 )

I'm going to attempt to make this fic less cheerful. Don't ask why but I have this sudden urge to make it not so bright. I might just give up somewhere, or I might not do it at all. Not sure yet.

Also, I'm so sorry about the awkwardness but I've decided to make it a Japanese setting from now.

Chapter 13

Captured

`thought'

"speech"

The darkness poked at his golden eyes as he slowly raised himself to a sitting position on the bed. He hand reached up and rubbed the slight bump on his head, which he had earned for forgetting the groceries at Toutousai's shop. And the other bruise when he came back empty-handed.

His lips forming a frown, Inuyasha thought, `It's not my fault that old jiji ate the food by the time I got there…'

Inuyasha fell back against his pillow, not sure why he woke up in the first place. Flashbacks of the marketplace slid through his mind eye and he remembered Tetsusaiga. Grinning, he reached over to the table beside his bed and pulled the sword to him. Unsheathing the sword halfway, Inuyasha's grin widened. He liked his new instrument of destruction.

It just irritated him that Kagome had bought it for him. It was almost like she had done it out of pity. He sat up and blinked to adjust to the darkness and silently left the room, bring Tetsusaiga with him. If he couldn't sleep, he might as well see what he could do with it.

He silently went down the hall and toward the staircase. Using his mental map, Inuyasha headed toward the empty room that he'd seem Kagome, Sango and Rin practice their archery in. Shifting the sword to his other hand, Inuyasha pushed the sliding door open, stepped in and closed the door behind him. It was strange how he knew the way around this big place.

Groping along the wall, Inuyasha grumbled as he tried to find a light source.

"Ah ha!"

Inuyasha found a torch and proceeded in lighting the many torched that hung on the walls. An orange glow filled the room and disserted shadows danced playfully across the walls. Inuyasha set the last torch on a hook and made his way to the middle of the floor. In one swift pull, Inuyasha released the fang from its protective and concealing cage.

A cocky grin played Inuyasha's lips and showed his fangs as he stared at the sword. Its silver blade had reflections of flames flickering up and down it's length, making it a sight. And it was all his.

Talking to himself he said, "That little wench had better watch herself or she's gonna get a nasty cut."

Raising the sword above his head, Inuyasha swung his body to the left swinging it toward the floor. The speed of the swing sent a gust, making the flames leap and twist. Experimenting, Inuyasha leapt into the air, flipped while still up slicing through the still air.

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His body covered in a thorough layer of sweat, Inuyasha sat down. He had long taken his shirt off and his exposed chest rose and fell with his panting. He'd "played" with Tetsusaiga and he was satisfied. But kill a hundred enemies at once? He skeptically eyed the blade at his side.

"That Toutousai is getting to old…going crazy."

The door slid open making the musing hanyou flinch mightily. The sword hissed and shrank into a rusted old katana. Inuyasha swung around. Looking surprised to find him there, Kagome and Sango were standing in the doorway.

The two girls blushed when their eyes fell upon his bare chest. The dieing flames illuminated with the sweat, outlining his slim figure. Both began stuttering.

"We…food…came."

"Uh…yeah…food"

Inuyasha frown at their babbling and snapped, "Are you spying on me?"

Kagome shook her head and cried, "No! We were just looking for you! Breakfast is ready!"

Inuyasha frown deepened in surprise. "Breakfast? This late?"

Sango glanced at the sword lying on the ground. "You must have been here a while. It's morning, eight `o' clock."

Had he been here that long? Inuyasha shrugged and said, "Whatever."

Sango hurried away, leaving Kagome behind. Her eyes took in his form, blushing all over again. He was lean but muscular. Not bulky at all but his chiseled chest and strong arms flexed as Inuyasha pulled on his top.

Catching her stare he arrogantly teased, "Am I that sexy?"

Kagome snapped her eyes to his face and defended, "Absolutely not! I was only about to tell you that you're going to do your own laundry." It was lame…but it was all she could think of.

Rolling his eyes as he picked up Tetsusaiga and slipped it into his "belt" Inuyasha spat, "Whatever you say."

Kagome turned on her heels and marched to the kitchen, hiding her face from Inuyasha as they went to the kitchen. Inuyasha saw the light streaming in the windows and realized that it really was morning. It hadn't felt that long…

Turning, they entered the kitchen and Inuyasha saw everyone sitting there with the exception of Rin who was busy chopping and cooking. The sharp tang of onions and rice met his nose and Inuyasha snapped his legs, sitting down.

Miroku looked at him and said, "Sango said you were in the training room."

Giving a curt nod, Inuyasha shrugged, "Couldn't sleep."

Sesshomaru's cold eyes narrowed and his voice bit through the air. "You've been swinging you're sword. Humph. I suppose allowing you to play with that toy of yours wouldn't do damage knowing that it won't make a difference."

Inuyasha's jaw tightened and he snapped, "Jackass. You talk like you've already beaten me." Snorting he continued, "Not that that'll ever happen."

Miroku waved his hands playing peacemaker. "Calm down. I'm sure you could both beat each other's…butts, no need to fuss about it."

Sango shook her head and sighed. "I swear it's times like these I wonder how someone with such sensible words can be such a…well a man with such hentai thoughts…. and actions."

Miroku opened his mouth and the same old, "I, a pervert! Never!" was about to fly from his mouth when Rin danced over carrying a large tray.

Setting it on the low table, she sat on the floor, smoothing out her kimono. Everyone stared at the food presented to him or her. Each were given a bowl of rice that was strangely discolored and a small strip of fish over it, a streak of brown on…white. In the center of the table she had set a square plate of spiced cabbage, a large bowl of some unnamed soup and some side dishes.

None of them made a move for their chopsticks. Kagome gulped and concentrated on not scrunching up her nose. But it was difficult for the soup and rice had a strange odor.

Inuyasha made no efforts what-so-ever and made a foul face. Kagome, Sango and Miroku glanced at each other. They'd been with Rin for a long time and had been punished with her cooking before.

Shippou who had been sitting on Kagome's lap peered over the edge of the table and whispered, "Is it safe?"

Rin smiled expectantly and encouraged, "Go on! Try it!"

Not about to hurt her friend's feelings, Kagome picked up her chopsticks with determination that wavered as the pieces of wood hovered over the rice. Suddenly, there was a click of wood and everyone looked over in surprise as Sesshomaru smoothly gather a small chunk of rice and put it in his mouth. If he wanted to cringe, liked it or felt anything at all, his cold, unmoving mask hid it well.

No expression at all except a strange shine in his eyes, Sesshomaru swallowed and reached for a piece of cabbage. Inuyasha's mouth fell limp and open as he stared at his half-brother chew silently.

`He's braver than I thought.' Inuyasha licked his lips and stared, half expecting him to drop to the floor dead, poisoned by the cooking.

Encouraged by Sesshomaru, the rest of the group picked up their chopsticks and picked at the food. Rin's smile widened in happiness as she watched them chew and eat.

It wasn't half as bad as they expected. The rice was a little dry and the fish was touch and almost impossible to chew, but it had a pleasing flavor. The foul smelling soup shocked everyone by turning out to taste exactly like miso soup and not half bad! It was by far not the best meal and there was a lot of room for improvement, but it really wasn't horrible…

Eating with his little hands, even Shippou smiled and said, "Rin this is pretty good!"

Sesshomaru's fangs sliced through the chewy fish easily, leaving only the sweet taste. He glanced at the girl sitting next to him, chatting happily and laughing. From the while he'd known her, if nobody had eaten then she would have surely cried.

`I don't care. It's just that the sound would annoy me…' Sesshomaru thought this, yet as Rin turned to him and brightly asked,

"How is the food Sesshomaru-sama? (What would you say at the end of his name for a kind of formal attitude? Is -sama right?)

Sesshomaru gave a small nod. It irked him, this strange and unwelcome content-ness. A small feeling of satisfaction whenever this girl smiled. Sesshomaru chewed as the rest of the group questioned Inuyasha about his little training session.

`What is it about this emotion that annoys me?'

`Perhaps I have too long not felt it. It is a stranger…'

Sesshomaru cold flint eyes flickered to Rin. `…but not a terrible feeling either.'

After everyone finished their meal, Rin scurried to the kitchen and came back with dessert. She had taken fruits and created little flowers…a very Rin-like thing to do.

~~*~~

Everyone sat around the small wooden table and sighed. Not much to do today. Rin had unsuccessfully tried to braid Sesshomaru's hair and Kagome was flopped across the low couch. Shippou was playing tag with Kirara but other than that there wasn't much action.

Suddenly there was a desperate banging at the door. "Let me in! Please!"

Up like a flash, Kagome ran to the door and flung it open. Apparently, the woman had been leaning against the door for she fell in a heap to the floor. She was a middle aged woman-most likely in her 30's. She smooth skin was flushed from running and her silky sable hair was tousled. Her thin mouth and tall figure suggested that she was one to carry herself proudly. But she was quite pretty. But at the moment nobody cared.

She flung herself at Kagome's feet and cried, "Kagome! Please help! She's gone!"

Kagome quickly bent done and gathered the women in her arms, grasping her shoulders firmly.

Looking her in the eye, Kagome insisted gently, "Of course we'll help you, but first you need to calm down."

Glancing over the women's shoulder she asked Miroku, "Can you please get her some water?"

As he shuffled up to do so Kagome ushered the women to the couch. Shaking her head she said, "I'm Mei. Mei Wadasai. My child, she's disappear…disappeared."

Her voice broke and she gratefully took the water that Miroku offered her. Taking a long sip, she wiped her chin and continued, "I went to the school to bring her home but her teachers told me that a man had already come and taken her. He claimed to know her…so I went back home hoping that she would come. But she didn't! That man has kidnapped her!"

The last part broke into a wail and the women grabbed Kagome's hand frantically. "Please say that you'll find her!"

Smiling wryly Kagome reassured, "Of course."

The woman had soon gone home, leaving Kagome and the gang to ponder over the situation. The boring and dull day had suddenly turned suspicious and urgent. A kidnapping was a serious crime, not to be taken lightly.

Inuyasha spoke, breaking the silence. "That idiot's not in the woods."

Miroku nodded understandingly. "Yes…Kouga and his pack would have sniffed them out. No doubt they would have realized the situation and rescued the child."

Sango ran her hands through her satin hair, her husky green pools clouded with worry. They had no lead and nowhere to start this case. Fiddling with her pink kimono, Sango asked, "Anyone have an idea to where we should start…."

Her question trailed off lamely. Sighs chorused through the room.

Once again to be the one to silence the silence, Inuyasha spoke up. "The path from the school leads to the village. Someone would have spotted them. But the path leading throw the hills would go to the…"

Kagome jumped up suddenly and cried, "That beach!"

Leaving Shippou in the care of Midoriko, the rest of the gang had mounted on trusty Kirara, ready to start their mission. They knew they were setting forth a blind face, but they had no other lead. The sky was strangely gray for a late spring day and the air was still, shaking.

Kirara stepped lightly to the ground and everyone slipped off. The girls had changed into their hakamas (I think those are the robes you were when you do kendo…), which allowed more freedom than kimonos. They all glanced upward at the frightful, slate gray sky and they could almost feel the rain falling on their faces.

Frowning and at a loss, Kagome suggested, "Let's stay together."

Everyone nodded grimly. Amazing how a day could go so wrong. They treaded across the beach and along the tree line quietly, looking for any signs of movement. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's ears tuned in and captured every sound, not wanting to let anything pass.

The cold gust from the sea blew at their skin, making their hair whip about. Miroku glanced at the dull gray sea and frowned.

"It seems the ocean is unhappy."

Kagome looked too, her large gray eyes a startling match for the sea foaming hue of the ocean, save that her eyes were bright and lovely. Suddenly there was a sharp howl of a cry and Inuyasha's head along with everyone else's snapped toward the sound. The ominous clouds gathered closer becoming darker, slowly shutting out the sun and the warmth.

Sesshomaru spoke, his voice calm as ever, "Let's go."

Needing no encouragement, the group sprinted up the sand dunes toward the clearing. The cloud wind threw sand at their eyes and bit at their faces. Inuyasha pointed, at a small figure -a woman- huddled in the high grass. She threw her head back and wailed again.

She didn't even look up as the group came to a stop around her.

Miroku knelt beside her and asked softly, "Are you all right?"

The woman, more a girl than a woman, rocked back and forth her short black hair swishing and her skimpy outfit baring her chest, arms and legs to the cold. Kirara bared her fangs and glared at the girl keeping quiet.

Sango and Kagome fell to their knees and gently stroked her hair, which had a blood red ribbon keeping it in place and a bone white comb stuck in it.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?

Inuyasha glanced at the girl huddled on the floor than at the two demons, Kirara and Sesshomaru. Kirara was swishing her tail from side to side, obviously uncomfortable. Her large, eyes flashed red with suspicion as she watched Miroku and the mikos try to get the girl to talk.

Sesshomaru's hand had wandered to his sword and Inuyasha could sense him building his youki. His frozen mask was unmoving, but his icy eyes narrowed.

"Stop."

Kagome, Rin, Sango and Miroku looked up in surprise. Inuyasha was standing behind them and they could clearly see the doubt in his eyes.

Sango half rose, noticing her friend's discomfort as Kirara continued baring her fangs.

"Kirara, what's wrong?"

Kagome's eyes flickered back and forth, the air suddenly heavy and thick.

Suddenly Inuyasha cried out, "Watch out!"

Kagome cried out in surprise and pain as very thin wires wrapped around her body and lifted her into the air. She looked down, wincing and gasped.

The girl that had been huddled on the floor was standing, grinning slyly, the wires trapping Kagome, Rin, Sango and Miroku flowing from her comb. Her pale eyes a thin red flashed, a frightening contrast to her sickening pale skin and black hair.

Kirara let out a snarl and Inuyasha and Sesshomaru drew their swords.

Inuyasha let a low growl. "Let them go and I won't kill you slowly."

The girl licked her lips and tilted her finger. A mass of hairs rose and she sat on them- a princess in her lair. Crossing her legs she sweetly introduced herself, "Hello there. I'm Yura of the Hair."

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha eyed her and Inuyasha snapped, "I wouldn't give a fuck if you were Took the bumblebee."

Stretching her bare arms Yura smiled, her dark red lips curling in delight at his anger. "Too bad…"

None of them noticed the net of hair spring up from the ground or the gas flowing from the vents, until it was too late.

Coughing, trying vainly to keep the gas from being inhaled, Kagome and the prisoners went limp in their bindings and those on the ground fell to the grass, unconscious as dark figures rushed out of the trees, their new catch, vulnerable and defeated. Yura snapped her wrists and Kagome, Rin, Sango and Miroku fell to the ground with a thump.

Turning on her heels, Yura thought, `It's all starting.'

Yeah…I know corny. But hey, I tried. And at least it wasn't a filler…I think. Please REVIEW~!!