InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Youkai and the Exterminator ❯ Chapter FortyTwo ( Chapter 42 )

Chapter FortyTwo

 

 

“I smell dog-breath!” Kouga shouted joyfully.

 

Naota groaned and wished he'd never decided to follow this stupid wolf in the first place. They'd been running in circles for two days, blindly catching scent after scent. Naota knew they were spiraling in some kind of odd pattern, but he couldn't place what seemed so familiar about it.

 

Stupid wolf has me confused, he decided grumpily.

 

“No, I smell him,” Kouga called back to him. “I smell Inuyasha, that dog turd!”

 

Naota stopped his headlong run and planted his feet. Ginta and Hakkaku nearly crashed into him; he could hear them stumble to a halt as they tried to catch their breath. Fury poured off his body like sweat and Naota snarled with every bit of his inuyoukai heritage showing in his anger.

 

“We aren't searching for Inuyasha, you stupid fuck!”

 

Kouga stopped and glowered at him, but Naota was too tired and too angry to care. “We're looking for that son of bitch that's been slaughtering everything in its path. Have you forgotten who beat the shit out of you?”

 

Kouga spat on the ground and folded his arms, turning away from him. “I don't care about that son of a bitch,” he muttered darkly. “My Kagome is with him.”

 

“Here we go again,” Ginta muttered in a loud aside to Hakkaku.

 

“I'm so tired of hearing it.'

 

Not as tired as I am, Naota thought grimly.

 

“So this is about running after some girl that doesn't even love you?” he asked sarcastically.

 

Kouga glared at him. His face turned dark red and his eyes flashed with fury. “I know she doesn't love me,” he spat, taking his companions aback with this confession. “It doesn't matter. I'm not going to stop caring about her just because…just because she thinks she loves that stupid mutt!”

 

Naota stared at him, seeing a glimmer of pain behind Kouga's anger. His annoyance slowly faded away, a grim ache left in its place. How long has it been since you cared about anyone that much, he asked himself. How long has it been since you would have died to protect her, gave up everything just to be with her. Even though it wasn't your baby she chose to bear?

 

He shook his head hard, clearing out the bitter memories. She'd turned to him in desperation and need, but she hadn't loved him. Over the years, he'd had several wives, women he had cared for, women who had borne his children. Each had loved him with all of their hearts even though he couldn't completely return their feelings. Each time he outlived one of his mortal brides, stood with her grieving children as a monk said words over their ashes, he had again been flooded with guilt.

 

They had loved him, and he didn't return it. Just as Kouga so obviously loved Kagome although she didn't return it. Just as the woman he had loved so much had given her heart to a youkai lord who couldn't accept her feelings. Was there anything as bittersweet or worthwhile as an unrequited love?

 

Striding purposefully toward the wolf, he met Kouga's eyes. “Let's go find them then,” he said quietly.

 

oOo

 

“That seems to be the last of them,” Miroku panted as he wiped his forehead.

 

Inuyasha's face twisted at the overwhelming stench of blood. “Good,” he said darkly, turning to stare into the forest. “Let's get going, we need to catch up to Kagome and Sango. Damn them for running after that kid anyway, don't they have any brains?”

 

“I wouldn't say that in Kagome's hearing,” Miroku commented. “Insulting your mate is never wise, Inuyasha.”

 

“Who's insulting her?” Inuyasha demanded, glowering at the monk. “I told her to stay here and she just ran off like an idiot. Sango I can understand, but damn it, why couldn't Kagome just do what I told her?”

 

Miroku grinned at him. “Because she wouldn't be Kagome if she did.”

 

Inuyasha snorted and reached down to touch Rin's shoulder. The little girl was still crouched beside the log where Kagome had left her. “Hey,” he said, his voice much gentler. “You okay? You're safe now, Rin.”

 

When she didn't respond, the hanyou knelt beside her and tried to pull her into his arms. “Just ride on my back then,” he said, uneasy with the way her eyes looked so shocked and frightened. “It's all over…”

 

Rin darted away from him like he was diseased, running to Kirara and wrapping both arms around one of the cat-youkai's strong front legs. “What's the matter with you?” he demanded.

 

The little girl just buried her face in Kirara's fur and refused to look at him. Inuyasha stood up and glared into the forest. “I don't have time for this, “ he snapped.

 

Shippou poked him in the leg. “Leave her alone,” the kitsune growled. “Can't you see she's scared of you?”

 

Miroku cleared his throat. The last thing in the world he was going to do right now was to tell Inuyasha why Rin was afraid of him. Inuyasha was Sesshomaru's brother, and Sesshomaru had been Rin's whole world. The daiyoukai had traumatized her by throwing her out of the fortress and tormenting Kohaku so ruthlessly. He imagined it must have been devastating for such a young child to see the person she worshipped turn on her like that.

 

Smiling a little, the monk leaned over to pry the girl's hands off Kirara's leg. The cat gave him a confused look as he settled Rin onto the broad white furred back and gestured to Shippou to join her.

 

“I think Kirara and Shippou can take care of Rin for now, “ he said, his voice cheerful as if nothing was amiss. “We'll have an easier time tracking them this way.”

 

Inuyasha didn't answer him as they set off into the forest, he just keep sniffing the air to keep Kagome's scent. He could follow her in the dark, he could follow her anywhere. There would never be a time that he wouldn't be able to find his Kagome. He knew exactly why Rin was afraid of him now and it stung him angrily. He wasn't like Sesshomaru; he would never just cast aside someone who loved him.

 

He would never abandon Kagome the way that Sesshomaru had abandoned Sango. Youkai blood, the hell. If being pure youkai meant that you could just turn off your feelings like blowing out a candle, he was damned glad he was born hanyou. The human side of his heart ached for Sango's pain, ached for the look in her eyes when she'd seen Kohaku's bruises.

 

Now that same look was reflected in the eyes of the kid when she looked at him. Inuyasha didn't like the idea of anyone comparing him to Sesshomaru. He'd cut off his own legs before he'd betray or abandon Kagome. Now she was out there, chasing after a heartbroken Sango and putting herself in danger just by being parted from him.

 

It was his brother's fault, damn him. He'd known all along that Sesshomaru was just playing with Sango. Maybe it amused him to make someone care for him just to throw them away. Just like he himself had been thrown away so many years ago.

 

Sesshomaru, you fucking bastard, he thought. You'll pay for this if I have to hunt you to the ends of the earth.

 

Inuyasha's thoughts were dark and preoccupied by finding Kagome, but he couldn't ignore it when the scent of familiar blood hit his nose. He stopped in his tracks, waving Miroku back as he sniffed the air. Blood, a lot of blood, fresh and undeniably dog demon. His eyes widened when he realized what it meant.

 

“Son of a bitch!” Inuyasha shouted and tore into the trees like a madman.

 

Miroku stared after him for just a moment before following. “Come on,” he snapped at Kirara. The white cat growled low in her throat and obeyed, also catching the familiar scent. Miroku saw her eyes flash in fury and knew that something terrible had happened.

 

“Shit!”

 

Miroku burst into the clearing just a few moments after he heard Inuyasha's curse and stopped short in horror. Inuyasha was leaning over a body that was sprawled on the ground. A large pool of blood stained the earth and he recognized Jano immediately. Damn it.

 

“Is he dead?” the monk asked quietly.

 

Inuyasha didn't answer, reaching out to slap the inuyoukai's face. “Jano,” he muttered. “What the fuck happened to you?” He glanced up and met Miroku's gaze soberly. “He's gone.”

 

Miroku bowed his head and said a silent prayer for the inuyoukai's soul. “May you be at peace,” he whispered. The monk raised his hand to make the blessing for their former companion, but was distracted by the sound of something crashing through the brush. Kouga and his two companions had appeared and were followed by the most unlikely person Miroku could have imagined.

 

The last person he'd have ever expected to be in a wolf demon's company.

 

“Naota?” he asked, remembered the man's name from when they'd met several months ago. The dark haired young man glanced up and his mouth twisted in a grim smile.

 

“Miroku, right?” Naota answered, nodding in recognition. It had been several months since he'd first encountered this unlucky group of travelers. It seemed as if they had not yet completed their quest to destroy the evil Naraku.

 

“Where's Kagome?” Kouga demanded, scanning the forest. He looked down at Inuyasha and his lips curled in contempt. “Did you get someone else killed, stupid mutt?”

 

Growling, Inuyasha got to his feet. “This might not be the best time,” he said, his eyes glinting dangerously. “But we still have a score to settle for what you said back at the fortress. I'm not going to forgive you for accusing me of hurting Kagome.”

 

“Fine with me,” Kouga spat, advancing on him. “I'm ready to take you on again and this time no one is going to interfere!”

 

The wolf yelped when Naota slapped the back of his head, hard. “We don't have time for your stupid quarrel,” he hissed. Then he looked down at the ground and Naota's face went dead white with shock.

 

“Jano!” he shouted, shoving past Kouga and pushing Inuyasha to the side. “Damn it, Jano! What the hell did this to you?” He ran his hands over his childhood friend's still face.

 

“Oh gods, no,” he whispered.

 

Inuyasha flushed and looked away. “We were too late,” he muttered. “He's dead.”

 

Naota ignored him, continuing to inspect Jano's still corpse. “No,” he whispered. “I refuse to believe it. Jano, you stupid ass!”

 

He leaned close, pressing his ear to Jano's chest and hoping it wasn't so. He scowled, sensing something unusual. Moving quickly, he pulled away the clothing and armor over Jano's chest until he found the gaping wound in his belly. Naota touched the edge of the torn flesh, rubbing his fingers together thoughtfully as he sniffed at Jano's blood.

 

It was too fresh for a corpse, still warm. In a human he might have assumed that death was just too recent for the body to have cooled and the blood clotted, in a demon, not everything was as it appeared.

 

With a grunt, he slid his pack off his back and started rummaging through it. The packet of fresh herbs came easily to his questing hand and Naota was grimly amused. It seemed like his earlier compulsion to harvest them was going to come in handy although he couldn't have predicted this would be the reason. Quickly, he started shredding the herbs, crushing them between his fingers to bring out their medicinal properties.

 

Inuyasha stared as Naota started to stuff the crushed leaves into Jano's belly. He scratched his ears, glancing over at Miroku with an expression of confused pity. “Was he a friend of yours?” he asked quietly. “You're too late, he's already…”

 

“Shut up, idiot,” Naota muttered, continuing to work on Jano. “He's not dead, not by a long shot. He's been poisoned and he's comatose, but the Jano I knew doesn't give up so easy.”

 

The herbs were no cure for his injury, but he thought they might slow the poison that was spreading through Jano's body. He might look still as a corpse, but Naota could sense the youki that was still clinging to his friend's body. No, Jano wouldn't give up easily. Even poisoned by the gods only knew what and having his guts torn open, he was willing to bet that the friend he'd grown up with was still every bit as stubborn as he remembered.

 

“He's pretty bad off,” Naota told Inuyasha, glancing up as he wiped blood from his hands. “We have to get him back to Sesshomaru as soon as possible.”

 

“Fuck that,” Inuyasha spat. “Next time I see that son of a bitch I'm going to rip his head off and cram it up his ass!”

 

Naota smiled faintly. “I don't care what you want and I don't care what you do with Sesshomaru's head,” he told the angry hanyou. “But Jano is my friend and I'm not going to let him die because you can't deal with your brother.”

 

Inuyasha opened his mouth to reply, but was shoved so hard he nearly fell. He spun around; claws outstretched and glowered at Kouga.

 

“Wolf, you are pushing your luck,” he snarled.

 

“Where's Kagome?” Kouga demanded. “You answer me right now!”

 

“Kagome went after Sango,” Miroku broke in, trying to stop another pointless fight. “We were searching for them when we found Jano lying here.”

 

Naota frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. “So you do know Jano,” he murmured. “Why is that? Had you met him simply by chance?”

 

Miroku shook his head. “No, Sesshomaru had sent him to follow us to protect Sango. But recent events made that impossible and we sent him away.”

 

Blinking, Naota turned to look at Inuyasha and then back at Miroku. “The exterminator? Why would my human despising cousin do such a thing?”

 

A ball of fur bounced onto his shoulder and Naota started in spite of himself. “She's pregnant with his baby,” Shippou explained. “Jano was supposed to watch over her, but he,” the kitsune pointed at Inuyasha, “hates him so he told him to go away.”

 

Naota sat down heavily. “I think someone needs to tell me what's going on,” he muttered, resting his head on his fist. “Sesshomaru…got a human woman pregnant with his child? I don't believe it.”

 

Shippou quickly launched into a rapid explanation of what had happened, not noticing as Naota's expression grew more and more grim. Miroku added his comments on the subject, showing the bruises that ringed this throat and describing in detail how Sesshomaru had cast them out of the fortress, only to attack him later when he saw him with Sango.

 

“She's his…mate?” Naota asked, shaking his head as if in pain. “Are you sure he said that? My cousin hates humans, he'd never declare one to be his mate or claim a hanyou baby as his heir. I can't believe he'd change like that.”

 

“He hasn't changed,” Inuyasha shouted, ignoring the startled looks from Kouga and his wolf companions. “That son of a bitch was just playing with her, I told you that, Miroku. I almost believed him myself, but I think Kohaku and Rin are proof that he was lying to all of us, most of all to Sango.”

 

Naota winced as Inuyasha described how Kohaku and Rin had been taken from the fortress and how Kohaku had showed up bearing the marks of Sesshomaru's claws. Angrily, the hanyou pointed at the little human girl that was still clinging to Kirara's back. “She saw him do it, fucking ask her if Sesshomaru isn't a bastard from hell!”

 

The little girl sat quietly, not looking around her, but playing with the fire-cat's fur. Naota stood up and moved to stand at her side, gently placing his hand on her head. “Is that true, little one?” he asked in a voice so soft that the others had to strain to hear him.

 

Rin nodded, unshed tears sparkling in her eyes. She opened her mouth and then closed it again, shivering. Gently, Naota lifted her from Kirara's back and held her against his chest. “You must have been very frightened,” Naota murmured into her hair. “But if this story is true, I don't think it was Sesshomaru that did this.”

 

“What?” Inuyasha asked incredulously. “Are you out of your head, asshole? I just told you what he did.”

 

Naota gave him an icy look. “Sesshomaru couldn't do that,” he said sharply. “If he truly saved this boy Kohaku with Tenseiga, he could not have tortured him. The sword would not allow it. You carry Tessaiga, don't you? Doesn't that tell you anything about your father or the power he put into those blades? Saying that Sesshomaru could destroy what he had revived would be like you using Tessaiga to murder someone you had used it to protect. The swords won't allow themselves to be used like that.”

 

Inuyasha stared at him, his mouth hanging open. “What the hell are you babbling about?” he demanded. “You didn't see Kohaku, he threw him and Rin out of the fortress and left them for dead after he tortured Kohaku.”

 

“I'm saying not,” Naota answered. “I'm not saying that your brother is overflowing with love and compassion for humanity, but he is incapable of destroying what he has saved. Tenseiga binds its master to those it revives. Inutaisho told me so himself.”

 

They stood in silence for a few moments, Inuyasha glaring fiercely at his cousin and Naota calmly returning his gaze. Suddenly, Rin burst into tears, sobbing into Naota's shoulder as if her heart was being torn from her body.

 

“It's wasn't him,” she cried, her small arms tight around Naota's neck. “It wasn't Sesshomaru-sama!”

 

Tearfully, she looked over at Inuyasha. “Sesshomaru-sama didn't send us out of the fortress,” Rin said, her face flushed and wet. “We snuck out on our own to find Sango-sama. But…we met Sesshomaru-sama and I saw him hurt Kohaku. He didn't see me, but I was too scared to do anything.”

 

“It was still him,” Inuyasha muttered. “Even if he didn't throw you out, he still…”

 

Miroku's hand fell heavily on his shoulder. “What if it wasn't Sesshomaru?” he said quietly. “After he attacked me, Sango and Sesshomaru were alone together for some time. If what Rin says is true, she and Kohaku left the fortress without his knowledge. How would he have known where they were and been waiting for them?”

 

Inuyasha scowled, hating the idea that his brother hadn't been responsible for the crimes he had been accused of. Sesshomaru had been searching for Sango, that's why he had seen her and Miroku together. He'd been furious that Sango would so easily return to his brother's arms after nearly killing Miroku, but he couldn't have been in two places at once. Why hadn't he seen it before?

 

“Why would someone do that, try to make Sango think that Sesshomaru had betrayed her by attacking her brother? No one would have anything to gain unless…”

 

“Naraku,” Miroku said grimly. “He must have discovered their union and decided to trick Sango into hating him, or trying to kill him. Just like what he did with you and Kikyou.”

 

Inuyasha's face flushed an ugly red. “So that we'd be distracted,” he spat. “So he'd have time to set a trap. Kohaku ran when those demons attacked, Sango went after him. And Kagome went after Sango.” Horror dawned in his eyes and Inuyasha's fists clenched in anger.

 

“That bastard!”

 

Kouga looked confused. “Somebody better explain what this has to do with Kagome.”

 

Miroku nodded thoughtfully, letting the pieces fall into place. “It seems we have been tricked, but for what purpose? Naraku doesn't have the final shard, why would he go out of his way just to confuse us?”

 

Rin squirmed in Naota's arms, looking over at Miroku. “Kohaku has the shard,” she said miserably. “He brought it with us when we left.”

 

Miroku looked startled. “Then, supposing that shard has some kind of hold over Kohaku, he could have left the fortress under its influence and brought it to Naraku. If Naraku has all the pieces, he very possibly could require the spiritual abilities of a priestess to bind them and bring the jewel to its fully restored power.”

 

“Kagome!” Inuyasha shouted. “He was after Kagome, he's going to force her to complete the jewel.”

 

Naota glanced down at Jano's form. “And if Sango had tried to save Kagome from Naraku, Jano may have fallen trying to protect them. We've been tracking some kind of monster; its trail led us here. That monster must have taken both Sango and Kagome.”

 

Inuyasha snarled, gritting his teeth. “And that's why we tracked Sango and Kagome here,” he said, biting off the words like pieces of bitterness. “Jano wasn't able to stop him from taking them.”

 

“Kagome has been kidnapped,” Kouga shouted, looking wild. “I will save her!”

 

Naota raised an eyebrow and caught Miroku's eye with a wry grin. “Nothing gets by him, does it?”

 

Miroku nodded sagely. “A veritable well of intuition,” he said, his tone dry with contempt.

 

“You ain't saving her, wolf,” Inuyasha hissed, his eyes glowing faintly. “She's my mate, you just keep your filthy wolf hands off her. I don't need your help.”

 

Kouga laughed harshly and dashed away. “She'll be mine when I rescue her,” he shouted over his shoulder. “You couldn't protect her, but she'll turn to me when I save her from Naraku!”

 

“Fuck if you will,” Inuyasha exploded. He tore after Kouga in a fury, not even looking back at Naota and Miroku as they stood watching in the clearing. Ginta let out a tired moan and nudged Hakkaku.

 

“Come on, you know we have to follow them,” he said.

 

Naota smiled to himself and went to kneel beside Jano, Rin still clinging to his shoulders. “Tell me, little one,” he said, his voice still mild. “Is there a healer at the fortress who is experienced with treating wounds like this? I am able to take care of the poison, but Jano will not heal unless he receives immediate care.”

 

The girl nodded. “Makiko-san can take care of him,” she whispered. “She fights with Jano-san all the time, but I think she really loves him.”

 

That brought a twinkle to Naota's eyes. “Does she?” he mused. “Well, in that case I think you and I should take him to her, don't you agree?”

 

Miroku chuckled softly at the girl's vehement agreement. “Kirara can probably carry us all,” he said. “Now that it seems that Sesshomaru isn't responsible for Kohaku's attack, I find myself quite anxious to return to his hospitality.”

 

“Really, why is that?”

 

The monk closed his eyes and smiled fondly. “I have developed an appreciation of the young ladies under Makiko-san's responsibility. In particular, there was one I was loathe to part from.”

 

Naota raised an eyebrow and tried to suppress a smirk. “Inuyoukai girls are very demanding,” he said, hazarding a guess at why the human wanted to return. “Are you sure that your health is up to such a visit? This Makiko-san will need to focus her attention on Jano, she can't be expected to treat a human's injuries as well.”

 

Blissful at the idea of seeing Aiko again, Miroku nodded. “With Buddha's grace, she won't have to worry about me. I intend to be most respectful and throw myself on the young woman's mercy.”

 

Naota snorted. “I could tell you a few stories about inuyoukai females and their idea of mercy,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “It's been many years, but I still bear a few scars.”

 

Miroku bowed with a flourish. “Shall we discuss the matter after we get on our way? Perhaps we can compare notes. I would be most interested to hear of your experiences with inuyoukai females.”

 

“And I would be happy to tell you,” Naota grinned.

 

Shippou rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Another pervert,” he muttered, watching as they settled Jano's unconscious form across Kirara's shoulders. “You're lucky that you're unconscious, Jano.”

 

oOo

 

Sango woke suddenly and gasped, looking around her in confusion. She didn't know where she was and all around her was darkness. Her arms hurt and she tested against the manacles that bound her wrists. She was on her knees, hanging limply against her bonds. The chains rattled when she moved and Sango swallowed hard.

 

She was a prisoner.

 

The last thing she remembered was Hiraikotsu shattering, a heavy fist heading for her face. Sango went cold when she realized what this meant. The demon had taken her with him and she was now at the mercy of what she couldn't even see.

 

"Kagome," she called out softly, hoping her friend was somewhere nearby. Only silence answered her and Sango wearily got to her feet, using her chains for balance. Wherever she was, it smelled horrible, dark and dank. Now that her eyes had adjusted she could make out a shadowy outline or two and a dim light coming from under what had to be the door.

 

"Damn," she muttered. Kagome was either unconscious or not here, she decided grimly. Turning to the grimy stone wall behind her, Sango ran her hands over the surface until her fingers found the iron staple that bolted her chains to the wall. She tugged at it experimentally, sighing when she realized that even her recently enhanced strength wasn't enough to break her free.

 

"Great," she said bitterly, leaning against the wall. She covered her face with a dirty hand and sighed heavily. "How am I going to get out of here?"

 

"You aren't going anywhere, woman."

 

She froze, realizing that she wasn't alone and was being watched. Shoulders hard against the wall, she scanned the darkness in front of her. "Who's there?" she demanded in harsh voice that held no fear.

 

A low chuckle made the hair on the back of her neck stand up and Sango cringed, realizing that the demon hiding in the darkness was the same one that had captured her. She felt his presence now, dark and malevolent, oppressive as a foul miasma. A hot finger touched her face and Sango flinched involuntarily.

 

"What do you want?" she asked, twisting away from his touch. "Why are you working for Naraku? Why did he have me brought here?"

 

Another grating chuckle and this time the finger rested over her pulse. "Naraku didn't want you at all," he said, his voice cold and hard as a blizzard. "I wanted you."

 

"Me?" Sango whispered, her body gone even colder. The almost burningly hot finger traced her neck again, lingering over the hollow of her throat.

 

"Yes," he hissed and she felt his breath like a desert wind over her skin. He was moving closer and the hard palm of his hand slid down her chest to rest over her left breast. She was starting to shake with fear and disgust at just being near him. She knew he could feel it and also that it amused him.

 

"Are you afraid of me, little girl?" he murmured as he pressed closer to her. "You should be very afraid. If you don't struggle, I won't hurt you any more than I have to."

 

"You didn't answer my question," she bit out, her whole body yearning to be away from him. The hand contracted over her breast and she held back a hiss. "Why are you working for Naraku?"

 

"I'm not working for anyone," he answered lazily, his hands now exploring the curves of her body. "I do what I want to do. If it suits his needs as well, that's not my concern."

 

If she could see him, she wasn't sure that she'd be less afraid and decided that the darkness was a blessing. If she had to look at that awful, ravaged face, if she had to see those burning eyes, she might lose her courage. She jumped when one of his claws flicked out and severed one of the straps of the armor Jano had given her.

 

"So you don't care what Naraku's plans are?" she asked, hoping to keep him talking. Anything to keep him away from her. "You don't mind being used as a tool?"

 

He hissed, suddenly feral, and Sango thought that she'd miscalculated. That burning hand cupped her cheek none too gently. "No one uses me," he said coldly, squeezing her face. "I use others for my amusement. As you're about to find out."

 

His face dipped close to hers and Sango quailed at the sensation of a moist tongue tasting her cheek. His body was huge, overwhelming her even if her hands had been left free. He licked her again, greedily tasting the salt of her fear, her sweat on his tongue.

 

She pushed her fear aside, well aware that she was about to be raped by a sinister monster. "So," she said, making an effort for her voice to sound unconcerned. "You aren't after the Shikon no Tama?"

 

He smiled into her throat; she could feel the prick of his fangs. It reminded her painfully of Sesshomaru, but she also pushed that memory aside. She thought he wasn't going to answer, but he finally did, pushing his face close to hers and licking at her ear in between words.

 

"That bauble of Naraku's." Lick. "Means nothing to me." Lick. "I do not pursue it."

 

Sango felt a tug and the rest of her armor dropped away, only thin cloth stood between them now. She could smell the rancid scent of old blood all over him, on his breath. He continued to lick her almost tenderly, gently, the rough surface of his tongue pulling at her skin. She brought her chained hands up to his shoulders, not pushing him away but letting her fingers dig into the hard flesh of him.

 

"You don't want the power of the jewel?" she asked desperately. She had to find some way to distract him from her, to make him go away.

 

The demon laughed suddenly, a cold and mocking sound. "You think I need more power, little girl?" he asked, still touching her fondly. "I am not a lower demon, there's nothing that jewel could offer me. I am daiyoukai."

 

Damn, she thought, sinking back against the wall as he moved in on her again. He seemed to interpret this as a signal to proceed, rumbling deep in his chest as he pulled her against him. The terror threatened to overwhelm her; she fought against it until she could find a place within the panic to think. This would not happen, she couldn't let it happen.

 

Sesshomaru, she thought desperately as the demon used his knee to spread her legs apart. She shook her head; her small hands pushed him away. "I still don't understand," she said and even to herself her voice sounded weak and defeated. "Why did he tell you to kidnap Kagome?"

 

"The pretty priestess?" he asked, sounding amused. His long claws raked through her hair, loosening the ribbon she used to tie it away from her face. Sango's hair fell around her shoulders, over her face. The demon toyed with it absently, still leaning against her.

 

"You ask a lot of questions," he commented. "Naraku wants the priestess to bind his jewel. Now that he possesses all the shards, only a priestess can bring them together again."

 

"He doesn't have all the shards," Sango said quickly. "There's still one left that he doesn't have, why kidnap her now?"

 

"The boy," he muttered thickly into her chest. Hot hands, impossibly hot, were working at her collar, untying the soft fabric and she shivered when that tongue dipped lower, licking between her breasts. "The boy brought him the last shard. As he was told."

 

"Kohaku," she whispered, the tears she hadn't been willing to shed suddenly formed in her eyes. Damn Sesshomaru, he couldn't have been that much of a fool. He didn't send Kohaku and Rin out with the last remaining shard! She cursed herself for her foolishness in trusting him, but to do that, to aid Naraku by withdrawing his protection from even that...

 

"You know the boy?" the demon asked, his breath still scorching her skin. Sango winced as he worked her clothing open, slowly exposing more flesh for him to taste. The demon sighed and knelt before her and Sango cringed when the cool air met her flesh, her breasts now exposed to him. Clawed fingers playfully toyed with her nipples, making them grow rigid and twisted with fear.

 

"He's my little brother," she said, her tears now falling freely. The demon's fingers touched her face and she heard him lick the tears from his hand.

 

"Your brother?" he asked, sounding somewhat confused. "Did you not know that Naraku controlled him?"

 

Controlled him? Sango shook her head wildly, forgetting about defending herself in the light of this new pain. "No...no, he doesn't control Kohaku. Sesshomaru took the shard out of him, healed him. Naraku couldn't..."

 

"Dreams," the dark demon whispered.

 

She cried out when his hot tongue wrapped around her nipple, tasting it slowly as if he believed he might be seducing her. His fingers kneaded her other breast harshly. "No, my dearest, Naraku controlled your brother's dreams, forced him to leave the safety of the fortress and bring the jewel to him. You were betrayed by your own brother, girl. He was weak."

 

That made her angry and before she knew it, she had grabbed a handful of thick hair and pulled him away from her breast. Claws bit into her skin as she fought him, silently, bitterly, twisting away from his seeking mouth and violating hands.

 

"Get off of me!" she cried out, shoving him with all of her desperate strength.

 

He pinned her easily enough, one hand on her throat, one planted firmly over her belly. "Don't make me force you," he growled. "You'll die if I take you like that, human."

 

"What the hell do you care?" Sango screamed, beating him with her fists. "Naraku has my brother, you son of a bitch! I don't care about what happens to me!"

 

The hands shifted and Sango found herself hauled off her feet by her hair. Stinging pain made stars form before her eyes and she clung to the darkness in order to spare the feeling of her hair being torn from her scalp.

 

"What about your child?" he asked harshly, shaking her. "You don't care about that?"

 

She stilled and he crushed her against him, his mouth finding hers and forcing her lips to open. The long tongue that had taunted her thrust violently into her mouth, probing and searching for hers. The taste of him was foul and Sango wanted to retch. Her stomach twisted inside her, panic thundering in her heart. Her legs went weak as he bent her back against the wall, tearing at her clothes blindly.

 

"Please," she begged him. "Don't let Naraku kill my brother. I...I'll do whatever you want, just don't let him kill Kohaku and Kagome."

 

"I'm going to do what I want anyway," he hissed, licking her face again. "Why should I protect those you care for?"

 

"Haven't you ever had anyone to protect?" she asked, her palms weak against his chest. "Haven't you ever loved anyone?"

 

It surprised her that he stopped, his hands stilled their violation of her body and he backed away a few inches. It was enough to let her breathe, although she wanted to be sick on the floor, she just hung limply against her chains. His breathing was somewhat harsher now, as if he was trying to recall something.

 

"I had a child once," he whispered, sounding almost awed by the knowledge. "A son."

 

She looked up at the darkness where she knew he was, knowing he could see her clearly even if she couldn't see him. "Would you have protected him?"

 

A long, slow hiss this time. "Yes."

 

They stood for a few moments like that, the darkness searching his lost memories, the exterminator trying to think of how to survive beyond the next few minutes. He would turn on her now, she thought miserably. He would rape her until there was nothing left, not even Tenseiga would resurrect her, even if Sesshomaru cared to use it. She didn't even know if he realized what had happened, how skillfully Naraku had managed to manipulate them both.

 

For Sango's mind knew what her heart had told her in the face of ugly fact. Her mate had not betrayed her; he had not sent Kohaku away or tormented him. It was Naraku all along, trying to turn them against each other.

 

His fingers stroked her face again and Sango jerked her head away, twisting against the chains. "No, please," she whispered. "Don't do this."

 

He seized her chin and pulled it up. "You will belong to me," he said, his voice deep and final. "You are the one I want, no other. If I protect your brother, will you love me?"

 

Her eyes widened when she heard a soft note of entreaty in the last few words. "Love you," she whispered, hating herself for this deception. But if it would keep Kohaku and perhaps Kagome safe...

 

"Why me?" Sango asked as he seemed sense her acceptance. "Why did you bring me here, why...why do you want that from me?"

 

"Naraku told me that you were a demon exterminator," he rumbled, withdrawing from her so suddenly she almost staggered. "You made me curious, woman."

 

She felt his eyes upon her, lingering on her exposed breasts. "I wanted to know why a demon exterminator is with a youkai's child."

 

She felt him leave then, the blackness around her parted for just a moment and she could see his outline against a doorway, a dimly lit hall beyond that. “We have an agreement then?” he asked, his voice promising violence against everything if she denied it.

 

Sango swallowed hard and closed her eyes, hating herself. Sesshomaru, forgive me.

 

“Yes.”