Inu Yasha sat with his back against the cave wall, staring out the entrance. Kikyou had gone to get firewood. He sighed. This was all so useless. It was the same thing Kikyou always did: Lead him away to give him some sort of vague secret related to beating Naraku. And although he enjoyed Kikyou's company there was something in his gut telling him to go back to Kaede's.

Then, he heard it. It was faint, and sounded far away, but there was no mistake; it was a cry for help.

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Shippo scampered through the woods. Twice he lost footing and fall, but he was always quick to right himself. He couldn't fail, not now. He had to find Inu Yasha. His breath came in short pants. He was exhausted.

"INU YASHA!" He bellowed. No answer. "INU YASHA!" The forest was silent. Shippo took a deep breath preparing to yell again when he heard a shout.

"Hey! Shippo!"

He turned his tear stained face toward to voice and called out. "Inu Yasha?"

"Shippo? What's wrong? Where's Kagome?" At the mention of Kagome's name, Shippo began to wail even louder. Inu Yasha walked to the sobbing kit. He gently picked him off the ground and sat him on a log. He knelt before the tiny demon and looked him in the eyes. "You need to tell me what happened Shippo." He said in a soft but firm voice.

"I . . I woke up and . .and saw . . ." His voice began to choke because of his sobs, but he soon gained control. He continued in a steadier voice. "And saw Bankotsu grab Kagome."

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Kagome's eyes hurt. She had been crying for hours straight now. What else was there to do when you share a cave with a killer. While wiping at her eyes with her sleeve for what must be the hundredth time, the miko let out another choked sob. Bankotsu shot her an irritated glance but otherwise said nothing. He had returned from hunting about twenty minutes ago and was now roasting a boar. The miko sobbed again.

Finally, not being able to handle any more, Bankotsu turned to her. "I would shut up if I was you."

Kagome raised her head and asked in a shaky voice. "Why?" He stared in her eyes as he answered.

"Because otherwise," He stood up as he spoke and walked towards the girl's slumped figure. "I'll make you." She slowly started backing up, hoping he wouldn't notice the distance she was putting between them. With a sneer, he jerked her of the ground and pulled her to his chest. "You don't like being close to me?" He asked her as he leaned into her shoulder, his mouth centimeters from her ear. Suddenly she felt something against her stomache. She froze. "It has been ages," He paused and licked his lips. "since I have been 'close' to a girl." His warm breath tickled her ear. Kagome closed her eyes. This could not be happening to her. No way was she going to let this happen to her. Kagome took a deep calming breath and with all the force in her body, brought her knee up. Not even bothering to look back, she ran.

Her body ached and her lungs felt like busting, but she wouldn't stop. Her fear pushed her on, tuning out her throbbing muscles. He'd given chase. She could hear him gaining speed behind her. In a last ditch effort for escape, Kagome swerved sideways only to have Bankotsu grab her by the hair. She screamed as his grip forced her to fall back.

"You little bitch."

Kagome cried harder and began scratching at the hand in her hair that was now pulling her through the forest. By the time they reached the cave again, her scalp was numb. Bankotsu lifted her to face him. He stared her dead in the eye before delivering a brutal slap, sending her crashing to the ground. Kagome cupped her already bruising face in her hands.

"I am going to make you scream."