shalestone-wolf: Hey, there are actually to parts to this chapter. It still counts as one it's just split about half-way through by another title. Dunno if that made sense... but enjoy anyway!

Disclaimer: Still the same

Capture!

Kura's heart was beating in her throat. She knew that Darshia was waiting for them; they couldn't stay in this cave forever. Kura looked around at the others as a thought began to come to her. Kiba, to no surprise, was holding Cheza protectively. Toboe clung to Hige as Tsume had a look of pain on his face from the noise. Kura took a step towards the cave's entrance… her mind made up.

"I'm going out there," she told the others calmly.

"What!" They all said at once.

"Kura, you can't!" Kiba began urgently.

"You'll get yourself killed!" Tsume said, his eyes wide.

"Listen," Kura said calmly, turning to face them. "Cheza is more important right now. Without her, none of you will find paradise. I'll run far enough away and keep the noble's attention on me. Then all of you can get away." She turned to Kiba with all seriousness in her eyes. "Regardless of what happens to me, you have to get Cheza to safety.

"Kiba," Toboe began pleadingly. "You can't let her…"

"It is the only way to save Cheza," Kura interrupted, knowing how protective Kiba was of the flower maiden.

"She's right," Kiba said reluctantly. "We have to try."

"What? Have you lost it?" Tsume spat angrily.

Without warning, Kura hugged Tsume tightly. He was still standing in confusion as she moved to say goodbye to the others. She kissed Hige on the cheek, and squeezed Toboe in a way that seemed like she was reluctant to let him go. Cheza patted her head… Kura and Kiba exchanged a long look, and then she was gone out the mouth of the cave.

"Kura… wait a minute…" Tsume started, about to run after her but Kiba held him back.

"This was her choice, Tsume," he said calmly. "We'd be dishonoring her if we didn't take this chance."

Tsume didn't respond, but looked out the cave with a downcast look.

"We'll wait for the first opportunity," Kiba instructed. The others didn't argue, but they were all noticeably sad.

With Kura

Kura didn't bother maintaining her human illusion. She ran as fast as her paws could carry her across the stretch of bare ground. Darshia was shooting some kind of energy beam at her. She managed to dodge most of them, though one caught her by surprise.

When she was nearly halfway across the valley, a beam hit the ground right next to her, sending shards of rock into her right foreleg. She hit the ground, but didn't hesitate to pull herself up and continue limping on. Another beam hit her square on, sending her face first into the ground. The beams were meant to stun, as she felt no wounds, only an extreme tiredness taking over. She tried to rise, but failed reverting to her human form as she lay helpless on the ground.

She heard Darshia beam out of his ship right next to her… she could even see him. Though, she couldn't move at all. Not even her mouth would work and she could do nothing but lay limply in his arms as he picked her up and re-boarded his ship.

She saw odd metals and designs all over the interior. He laid her down on a green velvet coach-like passenger seat, placing her down with a gentleness that surprised her. Then, he passed a hand over her eyes and everything went black.

Nadil

Kura opened her eyes slowly. Her head was still swimming from the stun and she had trouble focusing. She was aware of her hands and legs being tied to a chair and a rope was securing her midsection as well. She couldn't see anything at first, the room's furniture, carpeting, and even the walls were all very dark colors. The wood, didn't really seem like wood. All of the furniture was made out of ebony.

Kura realized thatshe was seated at a table with a man sitting calmly across from her. All the images were still fuzzy as she forced herself to focus. Finally, her head cleared enough so that she could see the man in detail.

He had long, purple hair with pointed ears like an elf. He wore a delicate black outfit that greatly off-set his pale skin. Kura caught her breath, fear surging through her. Darshia hadn't been that bad, evidence from the show revealed that he(at least) had a human side to him, a caring side. She could not expect as much from a pure demon. And, to make matters worse, this was the most feared, powerful, and heartless demon from the realm of the Dragon Knights... Nadil.

Nadil grinned cruelly at her obvious fear. He chuckled slightly and leaned forward, his slender hands folded in front of him.

"So, my dear," he started, sending a shiver through Kura with every word. "You are awake at last. I must admitt I was pleased Darshia did not have to kill you. It saves us much time."

"What do you want with me?" Kura spat, trying to swallow the bile that was rising in her throat. In all of her readings, there wasn't a demon she dispised more in the entire world of manga. He smiled even wider and leaned back casually in his chair.

"I simply want your cooperation in bringing about my dominion over the worldsI have unlocked," he answered. Kura's fear turned to utmost hatred when she remembered the horrible things this demon had done to memebers of the Dragon Tribe.

"And just why would I do that? You would have rule over all those in the wolf's rain world, the dragon knight's world, and my own realm," Kura said, giving Nadil the harshest death glare she could conjure.

"Shows what you know," a deep voice said from the corner of the room. A man she hadn't noticed before stood there. He had red eyes, long krimped black hair, and was dressed in purple with a white baboon pelt wrapped around him.

"Naraku," Kura growled. He was second on her list after Nadil. "So the Inuyasha world is at stake too."

"Very good, yes," Nadilin mockpraisewith a non-too-pleasant smile on his lips. "And I don't expect your... willing cooperation. Just your, persuaded allegiance."

"Go to hell!" Kura snarled, narrowing her eyes. She realized she was being rather brave being at the mercy of two of the most powerful demons she knew. But she would not allow them to use her. Nadil and Naraku laughed loudly, sending chills through Kura.

"My dear, I don't think you understand the leverage we posses," Nadil smirked, looking over at the shadows beside Naraku. Kura followed his gaze and saw a boy her age, no, a demon her age standing in the corner, pure anguish in his eyes. It took her a moment before she recognized Ryu's twin brother.

"Kamui?" She said in disbeleif. Then she turned on Nadil. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIM?" She demanded, outraged.

"I simply enlisted his services, the same way I plan to enlist yours," he answered with an evil grin. Kura shrank back. She wasn't happy at the idea of being turned into a demon. Nadil got up from his chair and approached her. She tried to pull away from his touch, but she was tied fast. Nadil carressed her face and moved stray tendrils of hair from her eyes. She felt like she was going to be sick.

"Yes," he hissed, finally releasing her from his icy touch. "You will make a fine adition to my army. And Ryu won't be able to fend of her brother, and one of her best friends."

"Ryu?" Kura said suddenly. "What have you done to Ryu?"

"Oh, I haven't been able to do anything yet. That stupid dragon and pet wolf of hers continuously get in the way," he answered a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Kamui..."

Kamui stepped forward with obvious reluctance. Then, his voice dripping in venom, he growled, "Yes... master."

'Nadil must have control over him,' Kura realized.

"Take our guest down to the lab. We'll give her our... official welcome tonight," Nadil sneered, Naraku smiling cruelly. Kura didn't like the sound of that.

"Yes, master," Kamui said, releasing the bonds on Kura's stomach and feet, though her hands remained tied behind her. The left the room and headed down an equally dark corridor.

As they walked down the hall, Kura noticed a small black dragon on Kamui's shoulder. It told her to be quiet and motioned to his now emotionless master. Kura was slightly behind him, Kamui practically dragging her along. The dragon was writting furiously on a post card and then held it up for Kura to read.

'We'll get to the lab soon, so listen closely,' it read. Kura nodded and the dragon held up another post card. 'the lab has a hidden window in the far wall. use your teethto knaw through the ropes and then feel along the wall until you find it. If you climb out that window, you can continue straight until you come to a large statue of Nadil. (he thinks highly of himself)' The notcard cut off and he had to write up another one.

'Now, that statue isa way backto the realm of wolf's rain. You'll find a hidden compartment at the base. Go through that and find your wolf friends. You need to then find some way to Ryu. It would be best if your friends accompany you. There should be a portal in the fallen palace of lord Darshia.' again, he had to write another card.

'Another one of your friends may soon be pulled into the Inuyasha world. I do not know when or how to get there, but you cannot worry about that. Once you have Ryu, both of you must continue with the wolves to paradise. That is the only way to stop all of this. Open paradise!' The dragon stopped there and waited. Kura nodded slightly to show she understood, remaining as calm as possible.

They soon came to a door with a strange symbol carved into the wood. Kamui opened it and roughly threw Kura inside. She waited for him to close the door, and then began to follow through the dragon's instructions. She didn't know if she could trust him, but she really had no other choice.

shalestone-wolf: What will happen next? Will Kura be able to find the others? What happened to the others anyway? Will she be able to save Ryu in time? To find out, keep reading! oh! and reveiws help as well... see ya!