Author Note: Well here we go another chapter! Lol, so many of you commented on my cliff hanger. Pretty funny. Anyhow, in case you all didn't realize Kuma, Kabu, Sora, and Momo are all my OC's. Right after this update I shall be posting a poll on my profile to get some feedback on what you all think about them. But without further a due, here's the chapter!

Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to me? Ha, I wish! Nope, it's not mine.

Chapter 7: Protect One Another

(Inuyasha's POV)

"What is the meaning of this?!"

"I-I-I-I'm so s-sorry Lady Kazu—"

"Enough! Do you think I have the time to put up with your incompetence?"

"I just thought…" 'That's Sora's voice. And that other harsh, sharp voice must belong to Sesshomaru's mother…what's going on? I'm conscience, but my body won't respond to any of my commands.' Inuyasha can do nothing but listen to the sounds around him. His eye lids feel so heavy that he doesn't even attempt to open them. "…Well, umm, Momo really wanted to see if Master Inuyasha was alright, Kazuna-sama."

"That half-breed wretch is perfectly fine! Are you content now?!" Nothing but malice and hate fills her voice and to his dismay his ears pick up on a little whimpering sound that must belong to the little demon girl he's come to care for. "My son is missing and most probably dead, and you have the audacity to bother me over something like this?!" 'Sesshomaru is missing? Oh shit! I remember he transformed and went after Kuma before I passed out. Wait, that bastard can't be dead!'

"Please accept my humble lest apologies!" Sora's voice is frantic and strained as if he fears the demoness might take his life. "I thought surely that our guards were successful in bringing our lord back safely."

"They've all been killed, you fool! If you don't get out of my sight this instance I shall have your worthless little head on a platte—"

"Will yah' quit all that yapping, baba?" All three of the demons pause and blink in surprise before Kazuna snaps around and trudges to the futon where the hanyou is currently occupying.

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"

A smirk finds its' way upon his lips and he suddenly feels he has the energy to open his eyes. "What's wrong? Old lady." He can't help but snicker as she snarls indignantly while Sora's mouth gapes open like a dry fish.

"YOU! YOU…UGH! THIS IS UNBE—"

"Hey." He interrupts her before she can start her rant. "If you want me to go save yah' son's life, I'd show a bit more respect if I were you."

"Excuse me?! If Sesshomaru could not handle the bear youkai, what makes you think you can?"

"Hmpt." He ignores her for a while and allows his self to sit up painfully and stretch his aching muscles. One glance out of the window alerts him that the sun is just now preparing to rise past the horizon. 'Hmm, it's been quite a few hours. The baka might still be alive…he better be…' A sharp pain shoots through his shoulder as he reaches for Tessaiga and he almost has to sit back down from the shear agony.

"Inuyasha-sama…" Sora stares at his new friend with nothing but concern. "You're already injured; you should just…let the imperial guards handle this situation."

"Keh, imperial guards! If those bastards were any good, then I wouldn't have to go save the bastard. I've survived too many things, in worse condition, for some stupid ass bear demons to do me in."

"…Hmpt, as you wish. If you want so badly to rush to your death, then there is nothing that I can do to stop you. Prepare to depart while I prepare something to give you." With that Lady Kazuna leaves the room without making so much as a whisper of noise.

"Inu-kun!" Almost as soon as she departs, Momo hops into the hanyou's lap with tears streaking down her face; finally free from the restraints of behaving proper in front of a royal.

"Eeeh?! What's wrong? What yah' crying for?"

"I thought Inu-kun died! Don't go Inu-kun, don't go!" His dog ears barely catch the words since her face is buried into his chest and of course she's blubbering as if the hanyou had actually died.

After the initial shock wore off, he couldn't help but smile at the little youkai in his arms. "Feh, don't worry kid. I won't die from no punk bear demons. Tell yah' what? When I save my idiot older brother then I'll come back and visit you."

"You will?"

"Sure why not."

Her big pink eyes peer up to meet warm gold ones. "And we can play every day in the village like last time?"

"Sur—"He stops when he realizes that he can't exactly promise something like that. He, in fact, is supposed to be in his own village within three days. 'There's no way I'm willing to stay here more than the time agreed…I mean Sesshomaru and not to mention Kazuna, I'm sure wouldn't allow me to be here a second past the agreement. But look at those eyes. What am I supposed ta' say? No? I definitely can't say yes!'

Luckily Sora picks up on the Inu-hanyou's abnormal pause and takes action by scooping the little girl out of his arms. "Now Momo, do not pester Inuyasha. He is a busy man and has no time for you foolishness right now. He must focus on bringing his brother and our lord back home. Don't you want our Lord Sesshomaru back home?"

As he ties the obi to his robe of the fire rat, he can't help but notice how Momo's cheeks puff out as she pouts at her half-brother. "I would like Inu-kun to be our lord better!"

"SSH-SSHHHH!" His eyes bug out franticly at his sister in horror as his index finger flies up to his lips. "Momo we can be tried for treason for talking like that—"

"What's treason?" None of them had noticed when the cold demoness had reappeared.

"Oh, Lady Kazuna! N-nothin—"

"Silence." Her hand rises up rudely to silence the poor demon and he simply responds by bowing lowly. 'What a bitch. I can only imagine what it was like for Sesshomaru growing up.' "Hanyou." Her piercing eyes narrow at him fiercely.

"Baba?"

Her eyes flash dangerously but he watches her suppress her obvious anger. "If you…meet Sesshomaru…" Her voice seems to shake as she thinks about the possibility of her son just not being alive. "Give this to him."

He steps forward and takes the scroll in her extended hand before tucking it into his hakama. "I will give this to him when I save the idiot."

For the first time her face softens and Inuyasha can actually see beauty hidden in her harsh features. "Very well…SORA!" 'And just like that she's back to looking like an evil witch.' He thinks to his self as an anime sweat drop slides down the back of his head.

"Y-yes, mi 'lady?"

"You shall accompany Inuyasha to the bear demon territory." She declares; using the hanyou's name for the first time.

"But mi 'lady! I am no fighter! I would most likely only be in Master Inuyasha's way. Why send me?"

"Oh please believe, I know how pathetic you are. But he needs someone to show him the way and don't you question my motives ever again."

"…yes mi' lady."

"Leave immediately, you shall meet Inuyasha outside."

"Come Momo-chan." He picks her up before making his way to the palace gates.

The said hanyou raises his eyebrow at the demoness before him in curiosity. He knows there has to be a reason for her wanting to be alone with him.

"Listen half-breed…if you bring my son back to me…I promise to give you whatever your heart desires. I could even find a way to make you a full de—"Her voice trails off as the hanyou walks past her to the door; completely ignoring her as if she never spoke a word. "Are you even listening to me ha-?"

"Look here baba." His voice is not loud or intrusive but it's stern enough to make the demoness fall silent. "I am going to save Sesshomaru. And I am going to save him because he is my brother…because I want to save him."

"…"

"So with all due respect lady, I don't need a damn thing from you." He slides the door open harshly but before he takes a step she tugs on his sleeve.

"At least take this." He just looks at the little vile she's placed in his hand with confusion. "Drink it; I know it is painful to take even one step with your injuries. This will completely dull the pain for a few hours."

"Hmpt." She follows him outside to where Sora and Momo are waiting patiently.

"Come Momo." To Inuyasha's surprise Kazuna holds out her hand and Momo doesn't hesitate to grab it. "Say goodbye to the boys and wish them luck."

"Bye-bye Onii-chan, bye-bye Inu-kun!" She blows the Inu-youkais a kiss for good measure. "Gambatte!"

"Be good Momo!"

"Jaa Ne, kid. Sora let's go we have no time to waste."

"You're right!" His eyebrows furrow in determination before he starts running towards the village to reach the exit. After a quick swallow of the potion, Inuyasha runs off after him. What catches him off guard is when he suddenly finds his self running ahead of the demon.

"What the hell? Pick up the pace!"

"R-right!" When they reach the stone walls encasing the secluded village Inuyasha comes to stop and stares at the youkai behind him.

"What? Is something the matter, Master Inuyasha?"

"Yeah! What are you waiting for? Let's fly!"

His blinks at him clearly stunned and amazed. "You can fly Master Inuyasha?"

"No! Baka, can't you?!" 'What the hell is wrong with this guy?!'

"Oh, absolutely not."

"Nani?!"

"Not all of us can fly."

"Then." His clawed hands find themselves tugging at his thick silver hair in desperation. "Where are the dragons or something?"

"They were all dispatched with the soldiers that left after you lost conciseness."

"So you're telling me, we must run all the way there."

"….yes?"

"Ugh! Kuso, let's go then. Now we really have no time to waste!" He shouts before turning around and jumping towards the trees. In a matter of minutes, he's found a good rhythm of jumping, running, and soaring through the air. He's nothing but a red and silver blur to the untrained eye. 'Keh, we're making excellent time! And this stuff Sesshomaru's Kaasan gave me really works. I don't feel a thing.' "Hey Sora, how you holding up...Sora? Sora?!" He comes to an abrupt stop once he realizes that the Inu-youkai is nowhere to be found. He has to wait two whole minutes before he sees a pink/white figure run into view. "Where the hell were you?!"

"Huh? I was right behind you."

"No baka, you were way behind me!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I cannot keep up with your speed."

"…"

"…"

Five minutes later, the hanyou is once again running and jumping through the treetops.

"Sorry for haven become such a burden."

"Keh! Ridiculous!" He scoffs at the demon now on his back. "You're a full demon! You feel no shame being slower and weaker that a mere hanyou?"

"Well…the way I see it, my friend…what does it matter what we are? If a creature is strong, then they are strong. If they're weak, then they are weak. There are hanyous stronger than youkais, youkais stronger than hanyous, and even humans stronger than both. Have you not heard of the famed miko Kikyo? Or the legendary monk Miroku? The ruthless demon slayer Sango? And even Naraku was just a mere hanyou. Species is not the big deal beings try to make it out to be."

'Wow…I wish everyone thought like that. You've just earned a bit more respect from me…' "Hmpt, shut up unless you're telling me a direction so I can focus."

"Yessir!"

'Damn it's already well past morning. How far away is this damn place?' He takes a swift turn to the left via Sora's instruction for what feels like the hundredth time. 'I really hate carrying him around like this…it reminds me too much of Kagome…if she were here she'd be right here with me. No matter how much I would protest or how dangerous the situation might seem, she would be right along with me till' the end. We're the ultimate team. Her arrows and my Tessaiga…together we could do anything. I guess I must stop feeling sorry for myself. I gotta' admit that being with Sesshomaru has been a much needed distraction from thinking about her so often…I wonder—

"Master Inuyasha?! Are you listening? We must slow down, we're approaching their village."

"Oh shit." His clawed feet dig into the ground in time to stop at the peak of a large hill. All he sees before him is an empty valley holding what looks like an entrance to cave. The cave however; is blocked up by a huge boulder with a seal plastered to the front. "Great, how the hell do we get in unnoticed?"

"Leave that to me." The Inu-youkai responds optimistically as he jumps off the hanyou's back. Inuyasha watches as he sinks to his knees while pressing his first two fingers on each hand together. "KAIHO!" The ground beneath them tremble a bit, before separating enough to form a nice sized hole.

"Eeeeh?!" The hanyou is obviously confused on how a demon from an opposing tribe would have access to such an opening.

"Eh, heh heh heh…"Sora scratches the back of his head nervously as a tint of red lights up his cheeks. "Well you see…I once had this forbidden love with a servant here and she built this passage way so I could visit her whenever I wished."

"Keh! Stay here." He commands, deciding not to comment on the awkward moment.

"But—"

"But nothing! Like you said you'll only be in the way!" 'Sorry Sora, I can't be responsible for you and Sesshomaru. There's no telling what could happen in there.'

"Oh…"

"Besides, Momo would never forgive me if I let something happen to you. I'll see you in a few minutes." He adds smugly before disappearing into the darkness of the tunnel.

'Finally a light!' The hanyou had been wondering around in pitch darkness for the pass ten minutes before finally reaching the end of the tunnel. He sniffs around carefully before pushing the covering over the exit. 'Is this a matt?' His shoulders groan in protest as he pulls his self up out of the floor. As he looks around he realizes that he is in a regular looking servant's quarter. 'This must belong to the woman he was involved with. Hmm, this is perfect. Most of the soldiers should be gone to war against Sesshomaru's tribe. I should be able to move about freely.' His feet move lightly as he dares to step outside into the main hall of the servant quarters. 'Where the hell could they be keeping him? The other servants must be hiding in one place to provide each other with some type of comfort during all this chaos.' He thinks to his self before sneaking outside and racing towards the main imperial mansion. Everything around him is completely encased by large cave walls. There's no sun seeping through and the only light around is provided by lanterns and candles. All in all it seems as if the live like bats.

"Onii-sama, why won't you tell me what's going on?" Inuyasha's dog ears pick up on a soft faint voice echoing from above him. As he moves closer, his nose picks up on Kuma's scent and it's not long before he's hidden underneath the veranda in order to eases drop better. As he settles behind a boulder, he can't help but thank Kami that he and Sora decided to stop and soak in a river on their way in order to dull his scent.

"Mind your business; does it look like I have the time to answer your stupid questions Otouto?" Kuma's crude voice lashes out through the air.

"Well, you must learn to make the time!" The one who must be his little brother snaps back just as hotly although his voice somehow remains as light as a feather. "You left yesterday in order to make peace and now suddenly we are at war? What is the meaning of this!? What did you do?"

"Shut your mouth! I will not tell you again. Next time I will remind you to mind what I say with a fist to your face instead of words." All that follows this warning is a loud threatening growl and the sound of Kuma stomping away.

"Hmpt, you'd think he treat me better since I'm his little brother and soon to be mate. Obviously the Inuyasha wanted nothing to do with you." The remaining bear demon grumbles to his self before staring off into the distance. "Ah well…" 'Now's my chance!' Inuyasha yanks out Tessaiga before flipping on to the balcony, the tip of his sword presses against the demon's throat before he gets a chance to process what just happened.

"Ano—"

"Shut up and you better not scream!" Inuyasha's voice is low and threatening and by the dangerous gleam in his eyes the bear demon can already figure that he's not one to be fucked with.

"Wasn't planning on it…?" His deep blue eyes are unrealistically innocent and calm for the situation at hand much to the hanyou's annoyance. He doesn't seem the least bit phased by the Inu-hanyou before him. He looks like Kuma in every way save his blue eyes and his brown hair comes down to his waist. And there is also the fact that he's much smaller in comparison; the bear youkai's frame actually matches his own. He also looks older than him but younger than Sesshomaru.

"Good, now tell me what you've done with Sesshomaru!"

"I've done nothing to Lord Sesshomaru." He states matter-of-factly and to the hanyou's awe he actually smiles at him. 'What the fuck? Is he not taking me seriously?'

"You know what I mean smartass!"

"Well…hmm, I don't know. I don't think they've killed him yet…pardon me, I do hate conversing with someone whom name I do not even know. Will you tell me your name?"

"Don't worry about it." His sword presses deeper into the man's Adam's apple; almost piercing the flesh but not quite. Still, the youkai looks unalarmed. "Just show me where he is!"

"Well I'd be inclined to if you'd only tell me your name. I think it's a simple request, don't you?"

'He'll take me to him willingly if I only tell him my name? Is this guy mentally ill?!' "…Inuyasha."

"Aaah, the famed Hanoni Inuyasha. Well nice to be meeting your acquaintance. I am Kabu, Lord of the Southern Valleys." Kabu bows; using the more polite word for hanyou before moving around the sword with a speed that rivals Sesshomaru's and taking the hanyou's hand in a handshake. Of course he pulls away aggressively and ready to attack. "Oh? How rude. To think us bear demons are supposed to be the ones considered barbarians. I guess it can't be helped. Come. We'll take the back gardens to the dungeon so no one sees you." Inuyasha really doesn't trust him. But what choice does he have? With that in mind he follows the bear-youkai reluctantly with Tessaiga still drawn. It's not long before they are at the entrance of another cave. Kabu release the seal and steps aside with a friendly smile. "Here you are."

"You're not coming?"

"Of course not. The dungeon is no place for a prince like myself. I shall await your return in this very spot."

"Keh!" He knows it's pretty stupid to trust this youkai like this. This could obviously be a trap. 'I'm an idiot. Why else would he help me? But what else am I supposed to do? There's still a possibility that Sesshomaru could be down there.' Without a second thought he steps down into the deep, dark tunnel and is met with stairs which he skips by jumping to the floor. Around him are an ample amount of empty cells. 'How the hell am I supposed to know which one he's in? I can't just go around calling his name.' As if reading his mind, Kabu suddenly calls down to him. "He should be in cell eighteen, Inuyasha-kun~!"

'Inuyasha-kun?' He glares at the stairs with annoyance before racing towards the back of the room. 'Fifteen…Sixteen…Seventeen….Eighteen!' The way he stops almost causes him to slip as he peers into the darkness of the cell. '…He's not in here! So the bastard was lying, Kuso! They probably already killed him…I wasn't…able to…save him…what's that smell?' His hand reaches up to touch his shoulder and when he stares at it, he finds it stained in his own blood. 'My wound must have reopened. Kuso! And I'm starting to feel the full effect of my injuries once more. Dammit! How the hell am I supposed to get out of here?' When he turns around he is shocked to find a bear demon soldier rushing at him with his sword drawn. "PAY ATTENTION YOU HALF-BREED IDIOT!" 'There's no time to move or counter!' He had accidently dropped Tessaiga when the weight was too much for his injured arm.All he can do is wait for the pain to flow over him.

"DOKKASO!" Sesshomaru's poison claw renders the bear youkai to nothing but melting, rotting flesh. The stupefied hanyou just stares at his older brother with his mouth hanging open. 'He's…alive!'

"Oh don't stand there with your mouth a gap Inuyasha. How many times must I save your life, hn?" An uncharacteristic smirk tugs playfully at his lips as he pushes his silky silver hair behind his ear.

Author Note: Yes, yes another cliff hanger. Anyway, let me know what yah' thought. Thanks for reading and the continued support! : ) Ah! And don't forget to check out that poll on my profile about my OCs.