Author's Note: Beginnings are far from my strong point, so I hope the progression is not awkward. As usual, this is fanfiction, so the usual possession applies.
"We were here," Jaken said, stopping in the field, "He ran that way after he took her."
Minako's scent was still in the air, and Sesshomaru was able to distinguish the human's scent mixed in with hers. Without a word to Jaken, he made his way toward the trail where the two scents traveled together. He could tell that they were not far off, and once Sesshomaru had his ward back, he would kill the pathetic thief.
No one stole from Sesshomaru and lived to tell, especially not a human.
The scent led him to a small cabin in the woods. He could smell death and knew that humans were buried at the side of the house. Minako's scent was not among them. The human had taken her inside, and Sesshomaru did not bother knocking.
The man let out a startled cry when his door was torn down and two youkai entered his home. He recognized Jaken as a demon immediately, but at the time only guessed that the one who looked like a human man was a demon because he appeared to travel with one.
Sesshomaru scanned the room, but Minako was not in the open. He could not tell where she was, for he had not caught her scent outside with the rotting corpses and he was unable to find her in here. His gaze finally set on the human who had stumbled to his feet.
"Murderer," Jaken exclaimed, pointing accusingly at him, "Return the girl or suffer the consequences!"
"Jaken, silence."
"Y-Yes, my lord."
The human made an attempt at an innocent smile, "You must have the wrong house, I am the only one who lives here."
"Human," Sesshomaru said, his voice cold as usual, "You have stolen a hanyou from me. Where have you hidden her?"
"Surely you're mistaken," the man replied, his confidence growing with each passing moment, "I've never seen you or your half-breed wench before in my life."
Sesshomaru lunged forward, appearing before the man in the blink of an eye. The man could only gasp as he was pushed up against the wall, held up off the ground by his neck. The man trembled, now sure that this was a demon, for his eyes were red and he was baring fangs in anger.
"Do not lie to me, human," Sesshomaru growled, "My patience is waning."
"It's true, I kill young women!" he shrieked, "But I only take humans, I swear! You must be mistaken!"
Sesshomaru threw the man against the opposite wall as Jaken exclaimed, "You are the one mistaken, thinking that she was a human girl. I saw you take her firsthand!"
"Fine," he choked, spitting up blood as he tried to pull himself up, "I've taken only one girl tonight, but she's already buried and would have run out of air by now-"
As if on cue, the floor burst open between the man and the youkai, wood and dirt scattering across the room. They watched as a slender pale hand reached up, grabbing onto the remaining floor. Minako pulled herself up, coughing from the dirt cloud she had raised. She seemed equally as surprised as the rest of them as she looked up and saw Sesshomaru standing a few feet away.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" she gasped, "You came back for me?"
His red eyes faded back to golden and he dropped the human. He stepped forward and grabbed her arm, pulling her up. She happily fell forward from exhaustion, hugging onto him for support. She seemed to expect him to throw her aside, but he did not react. Jaken stared down into the hole, assessing the situation. The human simply leaned his crumpled body against the wall, unable to run away with broken legs.
"I'm impressed, Minako," Jaken said with a nod, "I would have expected you to stay down there crying. You're stronger than I thought."
"Thank you, Jaken-sama!" His words made her even happier, and she smiled widely, still holding onto Sesshomaru even though he supported her weight with his borrowed arm. "I did not expect you to be rescued, and even when I heard your voice, I assumed that it was only you. I never would have expected Lord Sesshomaru-sama to come for me! This makes me so happy; I thought you would be glad to be rid of me!"
"Oh, well, uh," Jaken sputtered, "Don't expect it to happen again. We wouldn't have come if it was any more of an inconvenience, you stupid girl!"
"I am very grateful," she said, still smiling, "I promise to try my best not to let it happen again."
The human watched them in pain from where he sat, and finally stuttered, "Wh-what are you gonna do with me? Surely you wouldn't kill an old man in front of an innocent girl..."
Sesshomaru watched the man in silence for a few moments before he turned and began walking toward the door, his arm still around Minako to support her. She had finished hugging him and now walked beside him, not wanting to be a complete burden. Jaken was shocked by Sesshomaru's actions and stepped forward.
"My lord, are you not going to kill this human for his thievery?"
Sesshomaru stopped at the door, and without turning back, replied in his usual cold voice, "Bury him in one of the graves and return once you are finished. If you take too long, you will be left behind."
"Y-yes, my lord," Jaken nodded. He hurried over to the frightened human who tried to crawl away with broken limbs.
Minako did not look back when the man screamed.