[[Broken Says: Hello, folks~ This is the part where things get.. Weird. I mean, characters from way later in the series show up here. Just roll with it, alright? XD I know. It seems that my updates keep coming later and later. Many apologies for such a horrible thing, but, I still astonish myself when I make a post, because I have never done something like this for so long XD Seriously speaking. I'm not pulling any legs here. In my own experience, also, I find that I lose interest when things are too long. So, why not give me your opinion. Should I do about 1,000 words for each chapter, or more? I don't like doing less. It seems boring that way. I would update more often, but nonetheless, it's lazier, I think. Give me your opinions, sweethearts. :3 ALSO. For anyone who cares, there's a song that really inspires me for this story, because it reminds me of them later~ It's called "Not Strong Enough" by Apocalyptica. Y'all should listen. Es ist gut~]]

Kagura told the dog where he could find his belongings, and had since gone back to her room. If they were seen parading around together, surely it would seem suspicious. So Sesshomaru pulled on his clothing first, missing the familiar pull of armor around his upper body. This was it. Marked as a mate or not, he would slice that terror down and flee this place. Things would be as they were before, "Sesshomaru, you shouldn't be up, you know. You're far from healed-" Before Naraku could so much as blink, the white haired male had him pinned against a wall with a blade to his neck.

"The likes of you will keep me prisoner no longer."

Red eyes narrowed to slits and, suddenly, Sesshomaru crumpled down to one knee, grasping at his chest where his heart had once been. A hiss left Naraku's lips, as he felt the pain that surged through his mated, "I keep you here for your own wager." The spider corrected, grabbing Sesshomaru by his hair and pulling him up to eye level. But the lord didn't intend it to end here. He kicked out with unparalleled strength and sent the man through the wall and into the next room.

A smirk, which would have grazed any other man's lips, didn't crack Sesshomaru's features. His golden eyes stayed locked on the man as bent his knees and jumped after him, only to be caught by, what could only be called, a barrage of tentacles. He growled lowly as each of his arms and legs were gripped fast. For a moment, Naraku chuckled, "Give up. It's useless."

He was proved wrong, of course.

The dog pulled hard and swung the blade in his hand at the tentacle around his opposite arm, using the claws on that hand to free himself from the others and hop back a bit, "Speak in actions." He spat, running at the man, jumping out of the way of appendages that threatened to grab and bind him- the ones that came too close were cut immediately. With a smooth cut, Sesshomaru slit the man across the chest and the tentacles receded, causing Naraku to groan quietly in pain.

"DANCE OF BLADES!" Kagura called out, emerging from the shadows, her fan sending wounding waves of air hurling at the spider. His red eyes narrowed darkly and he blocked them with his arm and his leg.

"I see.. This is your doing.." His blood was hot against his skin and he slowly stood. Before he could think to actually attack, to crush her heart, Sesshomaru intervened.

"I am your enemy, Naraku," He corrected, running him through the chest.

"Don't kill him yet!" The wind sorceress cried out.

But it meant nothing.

There was a blade against Sesshomaru's throat, slicing his skin just enough to make the blood run down sleek metal. The Naraku which Sesshomaru had run his blade through quickly turned into a small piece of wood, bursting and falling to the floor, "I assume you both take me for a fool. I won't have it. Mate or not, if you seek freedom so badly, though you lost fairly, I shall end your life and grant your wish."

Kagura's eyes widened, and as did the dog's. This was.. The last thing he had expected. Demon puppetry.. No one practiced such things anymore. Not that he knew of. And he'd faced many foes… Just then, Kagura unleashed another bout of her wind blades, knowing that Sesshomaru would live, be freed and begin to fight again. No matter what it took to earn his freedom. He braced for the impact, but then- "NO!" Time froze just then and the dog's eyes narrowed to frightened slits.

Rin was running in front of the blades to protect him. She'd heard the fighting, no doubt. But, before Sesshomaru could reach her, she was hit.

Her brown eyes widened and Kagura gasped. Blood.. Before it could touch the ground- as the girl fell to her knees- Sesshomaru's eyes turned a vibrant red color and he surged forward, grabbing her tightly and moving to the far side of the room.

Like a mother, he growled fiercely at the two of them, his fangs showing behind his lips before he darted away. His mind wasn't in the right place, but his heart always was when it came to Rin. Jaken awoke, glancing up just in time to see his lord fleeing. What on earth had he missed, "M'LORD!" he cried, running after him, though completely unable to keep up with him. He'd seen those eyes.. Rin had been hurt.


It wasn't long before Sesshomaru found a place far enough away to hide safely. They would travel again when Rin was healed. God damn it all! How could he allow her to get hurt? It had just begun to rain outside, but he found a cave. A demon had resided there before he appeared; its remains were now scattered outside.

Rin groaned in Sesshomaru's arms, gripping at him to show her discomfort. He was surprised she hadn't passed out. She'd taken that attack nearly full force. The lord pulled off his top and laid it out on the floor of the cavern before setting her down, belly to the ground. Kneeling, he examined her wounds, wincing for her as he touched the bloodied lacerations, "Oh, m'lord…" Jaken said, out of breath, "I've found you." Eyes narrowed at him. Sesshomaru was ready to kill anyone. Though he settled at the familiar being.

"…I need to find her a healer." The dog moved away from the girl, standing.

"B-but, m'lord! What about Ten-" He glanced down at Sesshomaru's waist, noticing that he'd forgotten his blades. It went without explanation. He'd only grabbed Tokijin, going into battle, intending to win. He'd left Tenseiga behind entirely, and dropped Tokijin when Rin was harmed.

"Watch her. If you sense Naraku anywhere near, or anyone smelling of him, take Ah-un and flee." Sesshomaru moved quickly to the mouth of the cave, prepared to run to the nearest village, "…And if Inuyasha's group comes, ask for their help."

Jaken's eyes widened, if that was even possible, "Help from that half-breed-"

"TO SAVE RIN, YOU WILL ASK HIS HELP." And then, without another word, Sesshomaru was gone.