She had to keep running, why, why were they after her? There were so many trees, she didn't know this territory, she didn't know where to turn, where to duck, CRAP! She had tripped, fallen into the hard dirt before her. Instincts and reflexes had forced her hands in front of her and now her wrists stung in protest. Her Kimono torn, palms bloody, and vision becoming worse as the moon was covered by clouds, she scrambled to her feet and continued to run. Yells from behind made her adrenaline pump, she ran still faster...
Something was amiss in his quiet lands. Sesshomaru was keenly aware that a chase was taking place, the details of which did not interest him. Jaken noticed nothing, but Rin detected the momentary tenseness her lords movement. She too was aware that something was happening, not because she could sense it, but because months of traveling in silence had taught her how to read her mysterious lord. If only the action were closer, Sesshomaru would have caught her sent, and that would have been enough to merit his inquiry. But even the great dog demon was not omniscient...
They were on his track, Inuyasha could smell him, this time, he wouldn't get away! Kagome and Shippo were on his back, while Sango and Mirioku were following close behind on Kirara. Naraku's scent was close, and they were gaining, he was chasing something, or someone, which was odd. Naraku never did his own work, where was Kagura? While the minds of Kagome, Sango and Miroku were swimming with questions, Inuyasha's mind was on a different track, but equally as confused, who's scent was that mixed with Naraku's? Why was it so similar to his own and his brothers?...
She
tripped and fell once more, this time hearing a resulting crack.
Arrows of pain shot up her leg. It was broken. Grimacing as she
worked, she used low branches to pull herself back up, she knew that
running was no longer an option, but fighting would be much more
difficult if she was stuck on her ass. Once up-right and steady, she
made to turn in the direction of her assailant. Moments too late. The
man took her by the throat, his cold beautiful eyes looking
triumphantly back into hers. His scent filled her nostrils, she
choked for fresh air.
"Explain to me something," he
began with malice, "how is it that a fine creature such as
yourself has remained hidden from me?"
She made to answer,
but his grip tightened. Naraku had no intention of letting her speak,
the question was for his own benefit. He was more than aware that she
knew nothing of any use. But her scent, he knew she was family with
the dog lord and the hanyu. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were turning out
to be much more trouble than he had expected. Especially the full
demon dog Lord, Sesshomaru. He would make sure that this girl never
became a threat. But alas, his pleasure in seeing her fear and pain
became his weakness. Before he could administer the killing blow,
Inuyasha had raced up behind, and he was forced to relinquish his
hold on the girl and focus on the current threat. Either Inuyasha
didn't notice the girl, or he was being his usual reckless self, but
he unleashed the wind scar almost immediately. Lucky for the girl,
when Naraku released her she fell to her feet and her broken leg
collapsed from under her, causing her to dodge the strike just in
time.
"Inuyasha, be careful!" came a scolding
voice.
"What do you mean?!" he retorted irritably,
"aren't we trying to kill Naraku?!"
"I don't mean
Naraku! You almost hit the girl!"
"What girl?"
Inuyasha looked over to see the young demon crumpled under a
tree.
"She's fine," he growled, but inside he was
unsure.
Naraku, a coward by heart, was unprepared for Inuyasha's
interferance. The wind scar came at him so quickly; he barely had
time to put up a barrier, which was weak, and further weakened by the
strike. He decided not to endanger himself, and left quickly instead.
Inuyasha was pleased to see the angry look on Naraku face, instead of
the usual mocking smile; it meant that for once Inuyasha was not a
part of his plans. However, when Naraku took the sky, Inuyasha let
out a yell of anger and frustration.
"Get back here you
coward!" But Naraku was gone, for now.
Still fuming, Inuyasha turned to see the unfortunate demon who was almost another victim of his tetsaiga, when he gasped. The demon girl was a stranger to him, yet looked so familiar. She was being helped up by Kagome and Sango, her silver hair fell to her knees, thick and untamed. She was breathtaking, and a dog demon.
Inuyasha charged towards her, Sango jumped away from him, and Kagome was almost knocked off her feet when Inuyasha shoved her behind him.
"Did Sesshomaru send you?" He asked with anger.
"Who?" The girl answered.
"Inuyasha what the heck are you doing? Why would she know your brother?" Kagome asked, matching Inuyasha's anger.
"She has his scent all over her!" He answered Kagome, and then snarled at the demon, "You reek of my full demon brother, and don't try to deny it!"
The girl was frightened; her savior had now become her enemy.
Damn, she thought, I seem to have a lot of those.
"Inuyasha, SIT!"
The hanyou fell gracelessly into the dirt face first; Kagome came over to the frightened girl and put her hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry about him," she smiled, "he can be pretty rude at times."
"At times?" Shippo mocked, and received a hard thump on the head by Inuyasha.
Kagome glared at them both. "My name's Kagome," she said brightly, "what's yours?"
"Amaya," the demon answered shyly.
Kagome then went on introduce the rest of the gang. Amaya just nodded, looking as though she would rather be anywhere but here.
"Can you walk?" Miroku asked suddenly. Kagome's cheeks flushed red, she had forgotten about Amaya's injury. Amaya shook her head sadly.
"I don't think so, it might be broken."
"We should bring her to Kaede," Sango said to Miroku. He nodded solemnly.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome started. "Could you carry her?"
"Hmph!" The hanyou scoffed.
"Oh come off it!" Kagome yelled.
"Why should I!" He yelled back, "I was just trying to be cautious and you told me to sit!"
"You were being an unfair jerk!"
"Well if I'm such a jerk then why am I saving YOUR bacon all the time!"
"I swear Inuyasha sometimes you're just so…"
The two continued arguing, each one yelling louder as they continued. Miroku and Sango exchanged looks; they were WAY too used to their bickering. Shippo tugged at Miroku's clothes to get his attention, and then pointed to Amaya. She was pale, and swaying a little, the pain in her leg was becoming unbearable. Miroku could tell that she was close to unconsciousness, so he took her in his arms, and beckoned for Shippo and Sango to come.
"Kirara!" Called Sango, "let's go."
The five left, Inuyasha and Kagome didn't even notice.