InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected Circumstances ❯ Naraku's Plan ( Chapter 2 )

What registered in her mind first was the fact that the castle reeked of demons both alive and dead. She was in a stuffy and dry room that was almost pitch black. No sunlight came through the windows, only the deep purple glow of the surrounding miasma. This is where she woke up, not remembering completely what had transpired over the past couple of days. She was weak and her body ached from head to toe as she hesitantly tried to move her limbs, but soon became aware that she no longer held control over them. She looked down at her feet and noticed shackles around her ankles and looking towards her hands, which were slightly above her head, she saw that they as well were confined by chains. As Kagome pieced together where she was her anger stirred; Naraku had taken her from her friends, but she'd be damned if she didn't find a way to escape.

 

She darted her eyes around the room, finally resting on a figure in the corner furthest from her. Because of the lack of light the figure was but a shadow, but she knew all too well who it was that was staring in her direction, if the glowing red eyes gave anything away.

 

“You won't get away with this Naraku, Inuyasha will pick up your scent easy, and then you'll be sorry!” yelled Kagome.

 

Naraku smirked at the outburst, all too aware of the priestess's fiery temper. He did not let her comment faze him in the least. “So, you're awake I see,” he taunted. “Good, you are of no use to me unconscious.”

 

Kagome narrowed her eyes at him in disgust. “What do you want with me, why are you keeping me here?!” she spat.

 

“I would hold my tongue if I were you; you are in no position to be asking me questions!” Naraku snapped.

 

She looked at him with all the hatred and anger in her eyes that she could call on, taking a page out of Inuyasha's half-brother, Sesshoumaru's book. Unfortunately for her, he merely smiled at chuckled softly at her and shook his head slightly. She looked around the room again as her eyes adjusted to the darkness and saw that they were not the only occupants there. Close by the doorway stood a young girl with white hair and dark ebony eyes. Her skin was so pale it almost seemed transparent and inn her grasp she held a mirror. Her tiny fingers looked as if they threatened to lose their grip around it because she looked so frail it seemed a chore for her to hold the mirror.

 

Kagome recognized that mirror and she struggled a little more in her restraints. “I'm telling you, LET ME GO!!!” Kagome yelled.

 

“Your voice is becoming tiresome; you'll keep quiet if you know what's good for you” threatened Naraku casually as if he were having a conversation with an old friend.

 

“Like I'm afraid of you, you're someone who would never sully his own hands!” retorted Kagome without missing a beat. She almost lost some of her fight when he sneered at her; it was a frightening sight.

 

Quickly losing his patience with her, Naraku motioned for the white haired girl. “Kanna, keep the girl quiet,” he ordered. Without wavering, the small pale girl steadily approached Kagome who remained chained in the corner of the large, dark room. Kagome realized suddenly that the shackles were most likely in place to keep her from using her purification powers, for she could feel them wanting to come out to defend her, but was unable to unleash them fully.

 

Kanna walked up to Kagome and held the mirror in front of her. Kagome flinched a bit and squeezed her eyes shut, but after a moment opened them again when nothing happened. Kanna lowered the mirror down in front of her slowly and turned back towards where Naraku sat.

 

With no emotion in her voice she spoke to her master. “The girl's soul is too big for the mirror; we have already failed at this attempt once before.”

 

Naraku let out a growl and an exasperated sigh. He had almost forgotten about that night over a year and a half ago when he had tried to steal Kagome's soul from her. It was that night he realized that there was more to the young priestess than met the eye. Naraku stood up and gracefully walked towards Kagome; his eyes filled with malice at his effortlessly thwarted attempt to silence her.

 

“You will shut that mouth of yours or I will shut it for you,” Naraku said blatantly.

 

“Just try it! You think you're so hot, so why did you chain me up? Are you afraid of me?” Kagome replied with a sneer.

 

“Such impudence,” was his only comeback. He felt he was losing his touch when that was all he could supply. However, never one to give up so easily, Naraku lifted his chin when he thought of a way to taunt the young priestess. “It is no wonder why Inuyasha continues to choose the walking dead over one such as you. You don't seem to know you place.”

 

Before Kagome could retort, Naraku flung his hand out at her and wrapped it around her throat. Her eyes widened as she struggled for breath, but without the use of her arms to try and ward off her attacker she soon began to see black spots in front of her eyes as a result of her lack of oxygen.

 

Naraku leaned in close to her, resting his mouth close to her ear and he tightened his grip a little more around her small throat. “I could be the one to teach you of your place,” he said with no subtle hint of hunger. Kagome turned her head as much as she could towards him and he smirked at her, thinking she would easily come to his side. He did not expect her to spit in his face.

 

Using his other hand, Naraku back handed her across the face before wiping off the spit on his cheek. Kagome gave out a whimper. She felt as though her body was too heavy for her to hold upright and she slumped downward, which made catching her breath even more difficult. Naraku reluctantly let go of her neck while Kagome struggled to take in so much needed air.

 

“Care to defy me again, Kagome?” Naraku whispered in her ear before grabbing a hold of her chin to make her face him.

 

She wanted nothing more than to claw his eyes out with her dull nails when he laid his disgusting hands on her, but thinking better of her situation she kept quiet and shook her head `no'. Naraku gifted her with a devilish grin before retreating back to his corner of the empty room. “That's a good little priestess,” he chided her. With her pride hurt, Kagome sunk as low as she could in her shackles and against the wall, willing herself not to cry in front of him.

 

“Stupid girl,” Naraku continued to taunt her. “You are just as stubborn as Kikyo is, and look what she has been reduced to: walking through life, living off the souls of dead women. You would be wise to do as you are told from now on.”

 

Although she didn't want to admit it, especially to the likes of Naraku, Kagome was frightened for her life. Up until this point she had not realized how helpless she was, but without her bow and arrows and her hands and feet being shackled, she did not have much of a choice other than to comply, lest she face much more dire consequences.

 

`Oh gods what did I get myself into? Right now I don't care who helps me out of this! Inuyasha…Kouga…hell, even Sesshoumaru!' she thought desperately. `Anyone!'

 

 

****

 

 

Days went by without a single trace of Naraku or Kagome and the group of shard hunters grew increasingly frantic. Shippou had cried the first couple nights through due to his worry for her. For once Inuyasha didn't bother him with little arguments and truth be told, even tried to comfort the young fox kit with short hunting and fishing trips. Sango had been quiet and beside herself with concern for her friend. In fact, Kagome was her best friend, and that night that she was taken from her she could only stand by helplessly while Kagome screamed in fear. It was a moment that she vowed she would never let happen again.

 

Miroku, although miserable in his own right, had done his best to console the group and keep them light hearted and optimistic. He managed to bring a small-very small- smile to everyone's face when he groped Sango, and was quickly punished with a half-hearted slap that echoed through the forest. However, the slightly lighter atmosphere did not last long, and as much as they tried to relax Inuyasha he remained on edge, consistently beating himself up for not being there to protect Kagome like he had told her so many times he would.

 

`If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself,' Inuyasha thought self loathingly.

 

 

***

 

 

As night once again encroached upon them they stopped their continuously fruitless search for their friend to set up camp. They were going to be even more so on edge tonight as Inuyasha had succumbed to his human side for the new moon. With Naraku still nowhere to be found, they had to keep their eyes and ears open for anything. No one would get much sleep that night. The tension each had been feeling lingered in the air as they sat in silence around the fire, each lost in their own thoughts. Shippou had curled up next to Kirara and had finally succumbed to sleep after days of going without. Sango was gently stroking the young kit's hair while he slept, trying to be as much a comfort to him as possible. Across the fire, Miroku absently played with the prayer beads around his hand, looking up every now and then to give Sango a comforting smile which she at times returned. Inuyasha had dosed off a couple of times only to wake with a start after a couple of minutes each time.

 

As the night went on the soft breeze that had been calmly giving off a soothing noise as it shifted through the bows of the trees suddenly stopped. The forest around them grew quiet and the silence soon permeated the group's camp. Inuyasha was the first to open his eyes at the sudden halt of sound. He had not been completely asleep and when the forest became mute he instantly went on alert and reached out with his dull human senses as much as he could, trying to pick up on anything that would give reason for the sudden change of the atmosphere. Miroku lifted himself off the ground with the help of his staff and looked off into the forest surrounding them. Sango lifted herself up into a sitting position from where she was laying near Shippou and gazed at the opposite direction of the monk. Something just didn't seem right. Eventually all of them were on their feet silently trying to will the wind back to normal so that they could continue getting the rest that they all needed.

 

“Inuyasha,” Miroku spoke up. “You should stay hidden, if someone sees you in this state, they may not hesitate to kill you.”

 

“Feh, like I'm afraid of some lowly demon seeing me, I can take them on even in this form,” Inuyasha gloated proudly.

 

Shippou had been roused awake by the others talking and yawned big before beginning to ask what the ruckus was for. When he heard Inuyasha's proud comment, he rolled his eyes and lay down again on his back to stare at the night sky. Something twinkled off in the distance of the sky and caught the young fox kit's attention. It, whatever it was, seemed to be coming closer to them at an extremely rapid pace.

 

“Wha-what is that?” Shippou asked as he pointed up in the sky.

 

The others, having just noticed that Shippou was awake, looked in the direction to where Shippou was pointing. Miroku looked questioningly at the approaching entity before turning to Inuyasha with a worried look on his face.

 

“I don't think that this is some lowly demon,” he interjected. “This demonic aura is indeed very strong. It would be best if you take cover.”

 

“I'm not fucking hiding! What the hell is wrong with you guys?! I've taken on strong demons before!” Inuyasha scolded his friends as his hand clenched the hilt of his temporarily useless sword.

 

“Please Inuyasha, hide yourself. You won't do anybody any good if you are dead! Think about Kagome, she needs you!” Sango pleaded with him.

 

 

Inuyasha pursed his lips, but with a huff he hesitantly sprang towards a nearby bush and ducked behind it. `I can't believe I've been reduced to hiding in the fucking bushes. Damn I hate being human!' He crouched low as the entity began its decent upon their camp. It struck down before the group as if it were a bolt of lightning, shaking the inhabitants of the small camp. Inuyasha glared at the being and a low human growl came from his chest as he looked upon it.

 

“Sesshoumaru,” he snarled.

 

 

 

****

 

 

Night had fallen again before she slowly opened her eyes. Naraku had been brutal in his testing of her holy powers over the last few days and had not allowed her to sleep while only giving her enough food to keep her from starving to death. She could not see herself, but Kagome knew that she looked more pale than usual. The darkness of the room never let up although she knew very well the days were passing on as they normally would, even without her.

 

As his “special tests”, Naraku would send some of his lower level demons at her in attempts to find the limits of her miko powers, even through the shackles. A couple of days ago she had finally been able to release some of her spiritual powers that had been all but dormant inside of her. As long as she stayed alert she could fend them off and one by one the demons disintegrated before they even made it a foot near her. However, as time went on and the tests didn't stop, Kagome was beginning to feel the aftershocks of all the strenuous activity upon her person and her power. Naraku had even continued trying to break her by endlessly telling her that her friends were not coming to save her. After all, who would want the reincarnation when they could just as easily invoke the help ok Kikyo? It was a hard thing to hear and after a few days of listening to it, even Kagome's iron will was beginning to crumble. As low a tactic is was for him to use, Naraku made a very good point.

 

At one point during her captivity she had seen Naraku lose his cool composure and it was not a pretty sight. It happened when he discovered that she did not have the jewel shards he was looking for in her possession and she was in no hurry to tell him where they were. When he tried to approach and strike out at her, her miko powers flared to life by themselves instinctively and had singed his hand along with half of his arm. With her out of reach to strike, Naraku turned at took his abuse out on the unfortunate demon servant standing near the door.

 

Kagome closed her eyes tight as the demon slid to the floor with a sickening plop. As awful as that had been to witness, it was not the worst of his tantrums. For whatever reason Naraku was in a foul mood and Kagome absolutely did not want to find out why. He left the room and started to walk down the hall, where he thought would be out of hearing distance from his captive priestess, but Kagome strained her ears trying to over-hear what the two people in the corridor were discussing and also took the time alone to relax a little and close her tired, bloodshot eyes.

 

“Everything is prepared Naraku, the demons have all been summoned and they are on their way,” she heard Kagura explain.

 

“Excellent, it's all coming together then. We have our bait, we have the place, and soon Inuyasha and his group will meet their demise and I'll be rid of that half-breed once and for all,” Naraku laughed. “I trust you didn't have problems luring the demons this way?”

 

“Not at all, they were more than willing to come here, especially with the promise of jewel shards to the winner,” Kagura said.

 

This caught Kagome's attention. `Jewel shards? Why would Naraku give away his jewel shards? It doesn't make any sense' she thought. `What a minute…winner? What does she mean by win- Oh Kami, it's a trap! They're purposefully going to lure Inuyasha here, and I must be bait! I can't let them ambush him; I gotta get out of here!'

 

Kagome tried desperately to find anything of use that would help her escape. Her bow and arrows were nowhere to be found, and she couldn't break loose from the chains that bound her. Add to the fact that she was so weak from Naraku's constant games it was a labor just to keep her eyes open. She cringed when the chains clanged together loudly and closed her eyes in hopes that they didn't hear her. However, Kagome heard the two voices became silent and held her breath when she perceived quickened footsteps heading her way. The door to the room flew opened to reveal a glaring Naraku and Kagome felt her blood run cold.

 

“Exactly how much of that did you hear priestess?” Naraku questioned a fearful Kagome.

 

“I-I don't know what you're talking abo-”

 

“-DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME! HOW MUCH DID YOU HEAR?!” he screamed.

 

Kagome smashed herself against the wall and didn't dignify him with a response; which may or may not have been her best idea. Naraku all but ran over to her, ignoring the tingle of her power as he hit her across the head with something hard. She only had enough time to close her eyes and turn her head away from him before he struck and she was rendered unconscious.

 

Naraku was angry with himself for letting her hear about his plan. If some how or another she was able to spiritually contact the members of the misfit group, then all of his planning would have been for naught. He flew out of the room determined to get his plan moving faster; this would be over and done with! He was tired of toying with them, this time, Inuyasha and all of his enemies would die!

 

 

****

 

 

The campsite was in awed silence as the demon lord swept a claw neatly through his hair and flicked it over his shoulder. His pristinely white clothing was illuminated even more than usual against the contrasting dark sky and the soft glow of the flickering fire. He looked over the occupants of the camp and narrowed his eyes when he noticed an absent member. Before the blink of an eye he streaked across to the bush that was hiding the human Inuyasha and grabbed him by the throat, lifting him into the air. Inuyasha grit his teeth together both in pain and frustration, willing him self not to cry out and saw Sesshoumaru snarl in disgust. Without warning the demon lord dropped Inuyasha to the ground, leaving a seething half-demon rubbing his neck.

 

“What the hell was that for Sesshoumaru?!” yelled Inuyasha while rising to his feet.

 

“Little brother, it seems that you can be of no use to me after all tonight,” the demon lord replied stoically as he looked Inuyasha up and down.

 

“What are you gettin' at anyway, why would I help YOU?” Inuyasha spat.

 

“Naraku lifted his barrier long enough for This Sesshoumaru to sense him. However, it seems he has once again decided to mask his scent. I had hoped for once you would be useful, but clearly you wouldn't have been able to smell him even if you wanted to… pathetic,” Sesshoumaru taunted.

 

“You're the idiot who sensed him and then went and lost it! Don't come blaming me for your mistakes!” raged Inuyasha.

 

“It would be wise not to provoke This Sesshoumaru, unless you seek an early grave, Inuyasha,” the dog lord replied with the narrowing of his eyes.

 

Miroku sensed the rising tension between the two brothers and decided to step in before Sesshoumaru decided Inuyasha had lived long enough. “Now, now gentleman, let's not be hasty,” he pleaded. “We're just as anxious to find Naraku, we…”

 

“Hold your place monk; I have no desire to share commonalities with humans such as yourselves.” Sesshoumaru glanced around the small camp and narrowed his eyes once more. “It seems, Inuyasha, that you lack a comrade. Where is your wench?”

 

“Like I need to explain anything to you, you bastard! Mind your own damn business!” Inuyasha huffed. “She ain't my wench anyway,” he added quietly.

 

Sesshoumaru wanted very badly to slit the throat of Inuyasha right there and then. Perhaps the most essential member of their wretched group was now in Naraku's grasp thanks to the short-comings of the half-breed. The priestess would indeed be an invaluable asset against Naraku and it was more than apparent that she was no longer safe in the incapable hands of Inuyasha. Once he retrieved her from the evil half-demon, Sesshoumaru would make certain that she received the training and protection that she needed until the time came to face-off with Naraku.

 

Sesshoumaru smirked minutely and nodded his head and voiced his understanding of his brother's outburst. “How shameful it is, that you cannot watch over those under your care little brother. Once again you have disgraced our family's name. When you are once again able to wield your sword, however feebly, we shall meet again,” promised Sesshoumaru. Just as quick as he came, he was gone again and out of their lives…for now.

 

“Damn him, just who the hell does he think he is anyway?! I can't believe he got a scent of Naraku and still managed to lose him! That bastard has the nerve to call me pathetic!” Inuyasha vented.

 

“There's no sense in getting all worked up right now Inuyasha,” Sango said. “Besides, we know now that Naraku is around here somewhere, it's just a matter of time before we run into him or any of his incarnations, especially if we're getting close. It wouldn't hurt to have another person on our side.”

 

Inuyasha gaped like a fish at Sango's comment. “On…on our side?! What the hell is wrong wi-”

 

“Sango's right Inuyasha, Lord Sesshoumaru is a formidable foe and it would be beneficial to not get on his bad side. Now, let's try and get some sleep. I have a feeling we have a long day ahead of us,” Miroku chimed.

 

Inuyasha agreed that he would try and get some rest, but his thoughts were still lingering with Kagome, wherever she was. Guilt consumed him; he loved Kikyo with all of his being, she was his first love, the first person to talk to him like he wasn't a monster. She had comforted him and he in return comforted her; made her feel special. When she decided to grace Inuyasha with her presence and then leave once again, now only to be absent for over a month, she took a piece of his heart with her and it had ached to look at the girl who so much resembled her: Kagome. Every time he looked in those eyes he could see traces of Kikyo. He knew that they were two very different people in spirit; they had two completely different personalities, and were each in their own right, beautiful. As much as he tried to remember that, it always came back to the same problem. Kagome would never be Kikyo, no matter how much he wanted it to be so.

 

It was Inuyasha's hurting that made him unable to look at Kagome, and consequently it was his hurting that had allowed such a great opening for Naraku to take her from him. He gently touched his cheek and brought his hand to his face. He had unknowingly shed a tear while his thoughts overwhelmed him.

 

“Damn these human emotions, I feel so fucking weak and useless,” Inuyasha mumbled begrudgingly. “While I'm sitting here, wallowing in my own self pity, Naraku has Kagome and doing fucking knows what to her.”

 

Sinking further into the tree behind him, he sat crossed legged and with his hands in the sleeves of his coat. He fought his eyes to stay open, but exhaustion took over his human body and he gently fell asleep. His dreams were unpleasant as visions of Kikyo and Kagome in the possession of Naraku haunted him while he slept. Sango and Miroku looked over at him with sad expressions on their faces, knowing that he out of all of them, was the one was hurting the most at this time. Sango rested her head on Miroku's shoulder and eventually fell asleep. Shippou, still curled up next to Kirara, fell asleep just after Sesshoumaru departed, and Miroku kept a silent vigil over his friends, repeating silent prayers that they would make it to their lost friend in time.

 

 

****

 

 

Naraku's castle and its residents had all felt the fury of their master as he stormed passed them in the hallways. Naraku's drug his hands along the walls on both sides of him and his claws left gaping slits in the wall paneling as he walked. Any of his minions that happened to be in the way at the time were quickly impaled without a second thought or remorse. Naraku prided himself of being one in control of his emotions, however slight they may be. But that girl, Kagome, she brought out the worst in him. He decided there and then to be sure to rid himself of the encumbrance that was the young priestess. Naraku stormed about the castle looking for his vassal Kanna; the plan would commence first thing in the morning!

 

 

****

 

Well rested, Inuyasha and his group set out once again in search of their friend. He had taken the time to calculate the days gone by and had found that it had been almost two weeks since Naraku had taken her and they were getting even more worried as the days went on when they still found no trace of her. Inuyasha barreled through the trees with Shippou was perched on his shoulders looking out into the forest, keeping his senses as wide open as he possibly could. Shippou puffed up his chest and kept his chin up, determined to find something that would lead them to Kagome. Over the past few days, Shippou had done a lot of growing up and started to look much adult like in the process. Sango and Miroku trailed behind, Kirara balanced on Sango's shoulder much like Shippou was on Inuyasha. The two humans were idly chatting away to pass the time while never closing their senses to any hint they could find.

 

 

“It's good to see Inuyasha look like himself again, I was starting to worry that he was losing hope,” Sango whispered to Miroku.

 

The monk nodded his head in agreement. “Indeed, he does seem to be very adamant that we are going to find Kagome today, it's nice to know some of his gusto is back,” he replied.

 

“I've just been so worried about Kagome; I mean how much can one person take being in the hands of someone like Naraku? We don't even know if she's alive still,” Sango sighed, keeping her unshed tears at bay.

 

Miroku sensed Sango's inner turmoil and gently placed his arm over her shoulders in comfort. “There, there Sango, it'll be alright. I don't think Naraku took her to kill her; it would have been pointless since he could've just killed her on the spot that night. He's using her for something, I just know it. She's probably of more use to him alive than dead. I don't think he'd accomplish anything if he'd killed her.”

 

A little of the tension that was present in her shoulders left her then and she leaned a bit more into Miroku's embrace. “You're probably right, we just need to find her already, I'm getting sick of this! Naraku is despicable; he deserves to suffer in all seven levels of hell,” she retorted hotly, hands balled into fists at her sides while she glared ahead of her.

 

`She looks quite stunning when she's angry,' thought Miroku. He squeezed his hand into a fist a couple of times and then let his grasp go again as if trying to reach a decision.

 

Sango's face turned bright red and she froze in her tracks. She brought her fist up in front of her and reeled back towards Miroku. “Pervert!” she screamed as her fist collided with his head, leaving a big, throbbing bump where her fist had made contact with his skull.

 

“It…was…worth it,” he breathed out trying to lift himself from the ground with the help of his staff. Sango marched off, leaving the beaten monk to his own devices but although he could not see it, Sango had a small grin on her face as she continued to walk towards Inuyasha. After hearing the knock-out punch that Sango gave Miroku, Inuyasha also allowed him self to smile a little also, subconsciously aware that the monk was trying to lighten the mood, and bless him, it worked some. The group made their way through the forest, intent on keeping a strong pace. Inuyasha stopped suddenly and sniffed the air; he began to growl lowly in his throat while the others looked at him in confusion.

 

“What is it Inuyasha?” asked Shippou from his perch.

 

“Rrrr, I smell wolf. This is NOT what I need right now!” exclaimed Inuyasha as he crossed his arms in front of him.

 

“Yes, Kouga will definitely not be happy to know that Kagome has been taken by Naraku, he will no doubt try and start a quarrel with you in order to seek retribution,” Miroku explained with a sigh as he came to stand next to Inuyasha.

 

As if on cue, a funnel cloud swept upon them, while bits of dust and debris littered the ground around them. The whirlwind slowly dissipated to reveal a gruff looking wolf demon with thick black hair and dark eyes and skin. He wore fur representing fallen comrades around his waist and a brown headband with matching wristbands. His tail swung idly back and forth as he looked at the group with his hands proudly on his hips, while standing as tall as he could manage.

 

“Hey mutt-face,” Kouga greeted the half-demon.

 

“What do you want you flea bag?!” Inuyasha responded on edge.

 

“I came to check up on MY woman,” Kouga answered as he glanced around the group. Upon noticing that `his' woman was nowhere to be seen among the group he narrowed his eyes and glowered at Inuyasha threateningly. “Where's Kagome dog-breath! If something happened to her, I will kill you!”

 

“Kagome was taken by Naraku almost a full week ago. We still haven't been able to find her!” cried Shippou.

 

Inuyasha turned and gave Shippou a menacing look. “Shippou…” he threatened. Shippou gulped and quickly vacated his perch to hide behind Sango.

 

“WHAT!!!” yelled Kouga. “You mean you let her get taken by that miserable excuse for a demon?! What the hell is wrong with you Inuyasha, how could you be so careless with my woman!”

 

“Calm down Kouga,” Miroku tried to placate, “Naraku crept into our camp one night and took her before we could get to her. It was practically an ambush.”

 

“I can't believe I'm hearing this!” Kouga screamed as he pointed an accusing finger toward Inuyasha. “And where were you this whole time?! You were the one supposed to be protecting her!”

 

“Rrrrr, I WAS IN THE WOODS, OKAY!” Inuyasha snapped quickly.

 

Kouga took a faltering step backwards at Inuyasha's admission. He quickly gained his bearings and rounded on the half-demon. “You IDIOT! I'm going to find Kagome, and when I do, I'll never leave her with you again! You've put her in danger too many times, she'll be better off with me!” Kouga snapped back.

 

Before any of the group could intervene, the young wolf lord sped off as quickly as he came and left the group with their mouths hanging open. Inuyasha snarled and turned back to continue their journey. His foul mood radiated off of him, and no one made a motion to talk to him in fear of getting maimed. Hours continued to pass by and still no sign that they were getting closer. The trees around them began to cast long shadows in their path indicating that the day was coming to a close.

 

“Damn! It's already starting to dark again, I thought for sure there would have been SOMETHING!” yelled the frustrated Inuyasha. He made small splinters of a couple surrounding trees in his are to help cast off some of his anger.

 

Miroku shook his head sadly before sitting down aside a tree that Inuyasha hadn't cut down. “I agree with you Inuyasha. What's taking Naraku so long to make his move? He's planning something sinister no doubt, and all we can do is wait for him to decide when to let us in on the plan,” he stated.

 

With a heavy sigh Sango dropped down next to Miroku and rested against the tree as well. “We might as well set up camp for the night, it doesn't look like we're going to find anything tonight,” she said begrudgingly.

 

The group reluctantly set up camp and then each had their dinner and settled down for the night, taking turns keeping watch while the others slept. Inuyasha, after staying up most of the night, finally got his reprieve and shut his eyes for sleep while Sango took over watch. His dreams took a turn for the worst when he began seeing images of Kagome in Naraku's possession. He saw her chained against a bare wall in an almost empty room and watched as demons come after her. His dreams slowly became more of a nightmare when he saw Naraku approach her with a deadly look in his eyes and with a swift motion, hit her against her head and she fell into unconsciousness; to Inuyasha it looked as if she were dead. What surprised him in his sleep though was that Kagome's image turned into Kikyo and subconsciously began clenching his fists with the thought of Naraku's hands on the love of his life. The dreams startled him out of his sleep and he panted while he rubbed his hand across his forehead wiping away the perspiration that had accumulated while he dreamt. With a new resolve, he began clenching his sword, thinking of all the ways to make Naraku die a slow and painful death by his hands.

 

He sat up slowly and leapt from his spot in a nearby tree to land gracefully in front of Sango. She jumped, coming out of her sleep, and looked at him a bit surprised. She watched as he had a mental battle with himself before she finally broke the silence. “Inuyasha, what's wrong? You make thinking look like it hurts,” she half-joked.

 

“I've been thinking,” he replied seriously, ignoring her jab. “Don't you think it's strange that while we've been traveling looking for Naraku we haven't come across one single demon? It's as if they've all disappeared.”

 

Sango furrowed her eyebrows and put her hand on her chin to tap a finger lightly against her cheek, pondering what he had said. “You're right, that is odd,” she commented finally.

 

“What's odd?” Miroku asked with a wide yawn as he came out of his sleep. He sat up on his elbow from his position on the ground to look at them. He was in the middle of such a nice dream involving hot springs, Sango, and her nice round…

 

“Inuyasha just brought to my attention the fact that we haven't run into any demon within the past couple weeks,” Sango explained, unknowingly interrupting Miroku's thoughts. “Do you think it has anything to do with Naraku, Inuyasha?”

 

“Hm, I wouldn't put it past him, he's sneaky and underhanded; no tellin' what he's up to,” Inuyasha said disgustedly.

 

“Do you suppose Naraku's absence and the lack of demons are connected somehow? That perhaps he's building his body up again?” asked Sango.

 

“I have a feeling that it is more than that,” Miroku interjected. “Even when Naraku was absorbing demons before, there had always been some demons still wandering about, yet we have not been across any demons or incarnations. What if he is building up an army and all he's waiting for is the most opportune time to strike; when our defenses are down. With Kagome gone, he knows we'll be in search of her. I have a suspicion that he is baiting us into coming to look for him.”

 

“Damn him. If it's a fight he wants, then it's a fight he'll get. No one kidnaps Kagome and gets away with it!” Inuyasha scowled.

 

“Naraku is tricky so we'd better be on our guards. There's no telling when he'll make himself known,” Sango added. “I'll continue watch tonight; Inuyasha, you should at least try to get some sleep.”

 

“Feh! I don't need as much rest as you weak humans, I'll be just fine!” Inuyasha pouted.

 

“Whatever, I'm getting some sleep then,” Sango retorted.

 

The settled down for the night and each kept their senses open, even in their sleep. They new there was a battle coming up and they were going to be prepared. It remained unknown to them that a pair of amber eyes watched them in their camp and that the owner of those eyes had heard everything.

 

Sesshoumaru had already come the conclusions that Inuyasha's group had, but it did not deter him. He would never admit it aloud, but his interest in the missing priestess was becoming overwhelming. It was solely because she was the key in defeated Naraku…or so he kept telling himself. It had nothing to do with the fact that he reluctantly respected the girl for her bravery, however foolish she may have been at the time, nor was it for the fact that subconsciously sought out his half-brother's group for a mere glance at the girl with the strange, beautiful blue eyes and the pleasant scent.

 

The demon lord shook his head to dispel his current course of thought. It would not do for him to get distracted by such things when he was currently on a mission to find Naraku. As silently as he came, Sesshoumaru left the small motley crew to go back to his own.