Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

A/N: It has been a while. I sincerely apologize for the late, late, late update. This chapter is short, I'll admit, and it wasn't as easy as I thought it'be to write. Not my favorite. But hopefully, you'll like it. Osuari13: Your review made me laugh. Creepy? Probably. Your review truly made my day. Thanks for all the reviews! Enjoy!

In many ways, her disappearance had manifested emotions inside him that he'd never encountered before. The soft earth beneath his feet allowed him balance physically, yet mentally his mind was falling apart. Surviving in an environment where Kagome's presence was lacking disabled parts of his abilities, much to his misfortune. Thinking was one. In their journey towards the infamous village that rumored strange happenings, Inuyasha had not answered neither Shippo's aggravating questions or his human companions' inquiries. How could he when all he could mull over was Kagome? He could only hear their irritating picking in distant mumbles.

"I'll slay him. That monster! You'll see, he won't know what hit him!" A confident fang shined whitely.

The twerp didn't know his limits, obviously. Even though many people assumed Inuyasha was stupid, he was far from it. He knew the kit had looked up to her like a mother, a fairly young one, but a mother nonetheless. He had often wondered whether he was the father figure to him…a concept that made his insides twist with warmth.

Inuyasha clenched his hands around his sheath and ran forward, leaving them behind. They would catch up like they always did, he assured himself. He just needed to get away from them, from their questions and their prodding in business that wasn't theirs. He didn't know what was happening to him, he'd never had to suffer being away from Kagome with the knowledge that she wasn't safe. That he couldn't reach her if he wanted to. It made him want to tear the world alive in pieces.

Leaping up in the air, Inuyasha felt his muscles tense and a strong wave of fury rippled throughout his body. The stench of Naraku contaminated the air, his eyes perceptibly widening as a whizzing arrow snipped past his face. He growled as his footing was lost and he hit the ground with stinging force.

"How weak." The figure responsible spoke from a distance, but Inuyasha could still hear the words clearly. He rose with quick reflexes and snarled.

"Who the hell are you?"

The person wore a mask made of wood, the only thing that he could see were her eyes. It was a her. Her hair was short and reached the slips of her ears, feathery bangs playing along the top of her mask, which covered a heart shaped face. But what really determined her femininity was the hugging black and white kimono that showed her curves.

Slits carved in the mask revealed hostile brown eyes, and he could swear that inside them swirled someone he'd seen before.

"Honestly, I don't have time for introductions." She said exasperatedly, her tone was laced in a heavy sinister voice, a voice he recognized as Naraku's own gravel one. It held an eerie and abrasive sound, and he couldn't be more angry.

"Naraku," Inuyasha spat, "What the hell do you want?"

She laughed at him and before he could dodge, she notched an arrow and had him pinned to the ground. The arrow had dug in his arm, releasing a grunt of pain from him. Inuyasha glared.

She scrutinized him. "But Inuyasha, we've never met before." She came closer and was only a couple of feet away from him. A familiar scent plagued his senses, but he couldn't determine what it was. "But I suppose you figured it out sooner than I expected."

She grinned beneath her mask. "It is me, Inuyasha. I have a new opponent for you to play with." She kicked him with a booted foot and he groaned. She circled him and Inuyasha tried to get up.

"You see, this person is quite the challenge, I tell you. She has more than enough power to kill you off in the spot." The woman pressed her bow's heel deep in his wounded arm. A hiss escaped his lips.

Damn Naraku. He's using this woman to get to him. But what exactly will he gain? She looked human, but she reeked of Naraku. He wasn't sure if he could kill her.

Naraku droned on. "I'm not sure if she has the strength to do so yet, though. I give her credit for following my instructions, but as far as 'Can she kill you?'. I'm not positive." Inuyasha was confused, apparent by his knitted eyebrows.

"What does this have to do with me?" He barked, tired of his talking. "And where's Kagome, you bastard! I know you have her."

"Patience." Naraku scolded. "Besides, she's much closer than you think." He didn't have to take off the mask to know that she was grinning. "Alas," Naraku sighed.

"I'll leave you to her." The bow dug deeper, enough to ooze blood out. It trickled on his sleeve and with one last push, Naraku cackled.

"Good-bye, Inuyasha." Inuyasha felt his presence diminish, leaving behind a resonating laugh. Breathing deeply, he grabbed the arrow and pulled it out. Keeping his eyes on the woman, she tilted slightly and seemed to be catching her breath. Her mask faced his way and Inuyasha felt the hairs on his neck raise in something he rarely felt.

Fear.

Flashback:

"Hey, little lady way to show that body!" A deformed demon howled with missing teeth. Kagome shivered and she tried to ignore the pack of demons that hissed and howled at her through the cells.

I need to do this. I need to. I'm not going to be like them. No.

She shook her head desperately and grabbed the clothes on the stool in a hurry. She put them on and tightened the kimono with a tug and knot.

No. Not like them. I can't disappoint him.

Kagome took hold of the long bow and leather quiver of bows. Her hands were pale and shaking, but she tried to steady them.

Get a grip! I'm not going to be like them. Stuck. Hostage. No.

She looked herself on the glass tray that held everything and shook her head. This was a new beginning, right?

I'm not Kagome. Not anymore.

Taking the knife that had come along with the rest of her things, she raised it to her head.

What are you doing, Kagome?

"Don't call me that!" She shouted. Straightening a strand of her hair, she closed her eyes and forced the knife on the strand. Her hair slipped and fell. She continued. Raise, tug, cut. Raise, tug, cut. Her onyx waves fell to the floor.

Hmm. Do you find it that hard, my Kagome?

"Don't."

He ignored her.

I suppose I could help you.

Cutting off her hair in quick movements, she finally lost all its length and it wisped her cheeks. She looked so foreign. So not Kagome. She grinned.

A different person.

Lead the way.

Of course child. My perfect creation.

Two souls. One body. Kagome fled the room and let Naraku guide her to the main target.

Review and until next time!