InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Ties that Bind... ❯ ...Lost?! ( Chapter 2 )

Whee! OK, I caved--it's back to the drawing board for me...I'm going to go ahead and *ATTEMPT* the next bit of this story...but please don't assume it'll follow a logical path (the plot, I mean)...because I'M not even sure where I want this particular fanfic to go...you never know--I may just end it quickly and start another one...the possibilities are endless *looks stunned at the ideas whirling around in her head*.

I'm still not sure if there'll be ANY pairings, let alone who they'll be...but I do know that it isn't Sesshy's turn to get ANY action in this story (sorry...I'm as big a Sesshy fan as anyone else, but it just doesn't fit into this story's plot...he's too...evil to make that big of a turnaround). Once again, I'm still not even sure if THIS particular story will contain ANY lemons--so if that's why you're reading it, feel free to stop now, I guess (but, I WOULD really like it if you read the rest of this story, obviously ^_^). (and besides, the more R&R I get, the more...inclined I become to sitting down and giving you the lemons some of you want!)

Guess that's enough from me for now--thanks again for all those who left comments--I appreciate ANY and ALL advice I've been given...*looks over her shoulder suspiciously, notices Sesshy trying to look innocent and casually reaches over and smacks him in the back of the head* "Stop trying to read over my shoulder--you'll find out what happens soon enough!" OK, the youkai're getting restless...so I guess that's my cue to get back to writing this thing! ^_~

-Vashtya

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CHAPTER 2: New Beginnings

Kagome couldn't imagine how she was going to get out of this one...as far as she could tell, she didn't stand a chance of escaping...he outmatched her in every aspect...except...that he seemed too aloof to truly understand a person's nature...

So caught up in his plans that he almost didn't hear the approach of another being, Sesshoumaru's head snapped up as his ears caught the sound of another creature drawing closer--too quickly to be human. Damn, he thought, it's downwind, so I can't rely upon my nose to reveal it's identity to me...He tensed, releasing his grip upon the girl slightly as he prepared to judge and decide how best to dispatch his opponent.

Kagome fought to hide a small smile as the sounds finally reached her far-less-sensitive ears, realizing why the Lord of the Western lands had relaxed his grip slightly. Now, if I can just manage to use his distraction to my advantage, she thought to herself, then I may be able to make it back to the well before he tracks me down--so long as I can successfully stay downwind until then...I have a feeling he thinks I'm too thoroughly scared to even attempt escape at this point, she hoped to herself, armed only with the knowledge that she was no one, human or youkai's, property.

Shoving the girl down as he leaped forth to meet the youkai, Sesshoumaru was surprised to see that it was in the form of a gigantic black panther, with a silver spiral emblazoned on its forehead and a silver ring towards the tip of its tail. Damn...how did I not detect him earlier? Sesshoumaru wondered, angry with himself for allowing a youkai so dangerous to get so close to his homestead, even as he kept his expression typically bland.

Hmmm...that youkai's got a shikon shard, Kagome couldn't help noticing, careful to keep downwind of both the Lord of the Western Lands AND his panther-youkai opponent. Looks as though that might give him enough power to occupy Sesshoumaru's attention long enough for me to make my escape, she thought, finally allowing a small, hopeful smile to cross her face. Creeping backwards slowly until she was out of sight, Kagome finally allowed herself a small sigh of relief before clamoring to her feet and running in what she hoped was the general direction of the well. She ran, in the pitch darkness, until the breath wheezed painfully from her lungs--and she had yet to see anything even remotely familiar. Finally realizing that she wasn't going to get anywhere that night, she hid herself in the underbrush and slid into a light, uneasy slumber.

Damn it, where is that bitch? Inu-Yasha was starting to worry. She never stays out this long...it's been 3 days already! I know she's not in her time, so where in the seven hells is she? He was really starting to feel guilty, and if it wasn't for his pride, would've been out looking for her 2 days ago...after all, she was more prone to getting herself into problematic situations than anyone else he'd ever met...

Kagome awoke slowly, blinking blearily as she looked around in the faint glow of very early morning. Where am I? she wondered as she got to her feet, picking leaves out of her hair and brushing herself off. I'd best get moving...there's no telling when Sesshoumaru will finish off that other demon and come looking for me...she thought with a shudder. I wonder how I'll explain things to Inu-Yasha...heck, why even bother--he won't care anyway... she ended on that self-pitying note, shaking her head determinedly, refusing to wallow in self-misery any longer.

It wasn't until noon that she finally admitted to herself that she was well and truly lost. I haven't even seen a sign of a village...or, for that matter, a small homestead, she pondered, wondering what she should do. It was this line of thought that was interrupted by the sensing of what was, at present, a distant threat, but that seemed to be making its way to where she stood debating at a speed that could only mean the presence of yet another youkai. Damn it, she thought, groaning silently to herself. As if my past couple of days weren't bad enough...why not throw another youkai into the mess? She went to stand in the middle of the small clearing, thinking distantly that it was a pity that the peace of this small haven in the forest was about to be disturbed to brutally, even as she began to focus on channeling her miko powers, honed from 3 years of endless battles and minor scrapes for the Shikon Jewel...

When the youkai entered the clearing, she didn't even take the time to examine its appearance closely before loosing the powerful blast of energy, her mind registering just a vague dark-green blur before her vision was engulfed in white. What...what is happening to me? her mind was shouting as she felt as though she was falling. This...has...never happened before...? Was her last thought before hitting the ground...hard. She remained seated there for a few moments, until the white light disappeared, leaving the spots dancing behind her eyelids as the only clue that it had ever occurred. Where...am I? She wondered as she looked at the huge building in front of her. It...it looks like a school, but not like any I'm familiar with...

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That's about it for this installment--but, I DO apologize for the length of these first couple of chapters--I'm going to be doing my darnedest to make the 3rd chapter a decent length (and, before anyone murders me for leaving the story hanging...I'm averaging a few days between chapter updates, so please be patient (my sister's already threatening me if I don't get it done soon ^_~)