SG: *sigh* I do NOT own Inuyasha & Co. So...er...please don't sue me.

AN: Thank you for pointing out my spelling error of SessHomaru. Arigato. -SG


Rude Awakening

The night breeze stirred the air, mourning softly though the grass. The leaves tossed in their sleep and a lone wolf gave a sorrowful cry. Inuyasha sniffed the air carefully, jumping from his solitary perch in an oak tree. A soft growl emitted from his throat.

"He is here."

The tall grass barely whispered as a long figure stepped into the clearing. A full moon stood out behind him, highlighting his sillouette. Pale hair flowed gently in the breeze as golden eyes looked on, calculating. From Inuyasha's mouth issued a single, despised word.

"Sesshomaru."

The figure smiled, "Hello my half-brother. So good of you to come. How long have you been in wait, Inuyasha?"

The dog demon raised an eyebrow, "Long enough. What do you want?"

Sesshomaru's eyes glinted evilly. Oh, the stupidity of his younger half-brother! He laughed softly, as a wolf laughs before wounded prey,

"I should think the answer was obvious. How long have you been in wait, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha was now worried. Sesshomaru had a plan this time, he could see it in his eyes, feel it in the confidence that rolled off him in tangible waves. How long *had* he been out here? The hanyou's thoughs drifted back to camp, where he'd left Kagome and Shippou. Mikoru and Sango had left eariler in the day on a 'secret mission', so Kagome and Shippou were all alone...all alone...all-

Sesshomaru barely had time to blink before an enraged Inuyasha's claws raked his face, drawing blood. Then the crazed half-demon sprinted off into the night, Sesshomaru's laughter ringing behind him.

"KAGOME!" Inuyasha shouted as he burst into the clearing. "SHIPPOU!" He had known beforehand what he was going to find, but that didn't make the reality any easier to bear. He hung his head in his hands for a moment, his silvery hair mixing with his tears of rage and hurt. Then he lifted his head to the sky and let out a fearsome roar.

"SESSHOMARU!!!"

Kagome stirred groggily on the floor of a dungeon deep inside the demon lord's castle. She smelled the damp, musty air around her and became afraid. Without raising her voice too much, she called out tentivly, "Shippou? Are you there?"

No answer.

Than Kagome began to feel the bonds holding her captive. The cold iron cut into her wrists and ankles, it was difficult to breathe. As her consciousness slowly awoke she realized that there had been a metal collar attached to her neck, restraining her even more by a heavy chain hooked to the wall. Kagome again called out, "Shippou? Answer me!"

"Kagome?" a weak voice called from the far wall. Shippou's chains rattled as he attempted to sit up. He said in a frightened voice, "Where are we?"

"I don't know, Shippou."

With rising panic he added, "Where's Inuyasha?"

Kagome's brow wrinkled as she frowned. Where was Inuyasha? He was supposed to be keeping watch until midnight. Had something happened to him? Was he hurt? Unsure, Kagome called, "Inuyasha? Are you here?"

They waited in vain for an answer. Shippou's chains rattled once again as he strained to get to Kagome.

"I'm scared," He whined. "I wanna go home!"

"Shippou, that's not going to help. Besides, you're a full yokai. How do you think your father would feel if he saw you acting that way?"

Shippou's only reply was to sit down with a thump and snort at her.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome tried again. This time though, her call was met with a cold laugh and an even colder voice.

"Can't you see?" inquired Sesshomaru, entering the dungeon with the grace borne of those with hearts of ice. "You're precious savior, my dishonorable half-brother, has foresaken you. Inuyasha's power holds no sway here. For these are my grounds, and I have marked them as such. Fools. You were hoping he would save you, but this is not meant to be."

"Sesshomaru," Kagome spat.

In an instant Sesshomaru was before her, cupping her defiant chin in his hand. "Ah," he sighed.

"My very own human pet. How convienent. Fear not for your mate girl; he is well out of his misery."

Kagome understood. Sesshomaru must have attacked Inuyasha during his watch and...and...she didn't want to think about what might have happened.

"Hey!" came an indignant voice from across the room. "Leave Kagome alone!"

Again, Sesshomaru's movements were too quick to follow. "You," he growled, peering down at the little fox demon. "Will learn some manners!"

All that could be heard was a loud squeal as Sesshomaru's claws swiped down to damage the fox child, with just enough pressure to draw blood. Shippou's eyes teared up as he glared at the tall demon. He found himself longing for Inuyasha's quick, but harmless blows.

Sesshomaru turned, bored by the little demon's antics. His malicious eyes concentrated themselves on the struggling of human girl. He had never been able to understand how his worthless half-brother had managed to command such allegience from such a magnificient specimin. Perhaps it was sheer instinct, but then again it might be something stronger. IT was of no consiquence. He would keep her until she no longer amused him and enraged his brother, then finish her off slowly. Sesshomaru licked his lips...that was always his favorite part.