Inuyasha was crouched down on the edge of the forest, under the cover of the moon light and trees, eyeing the guardsmen as they continued on their patrol in the distance. His silver ears flickered catching the sound of their feet crunching on the rough ground beneath them. Since he was upwind he wasn't worried about them catching his scent.
Behind him stood Sango clad in her exterminator armor holding hiraikotsu at her side. Slightly to her left was Miroku, he gripped his shakujou tightly in front him with a determined look on his face. Shippo was perched on his shoulder slightly shaking with nervousness. He hopped of Miroku's shoulder and bounded to Inuyasha's side.
"Is she there?" Shippo asked quietly looking toward the donjon.
"Yeah, she's in there all right, but the bastard isn't." He said with a slightly puzzled look. Miroku let out a sigh of relief.
"No disrespect meant Inuyasha, but I think that his absence is for the best if we wish to retrieve Kagome without causing her, or anyone else, harm."
"Keh, like I'd let that icicle hurt her!" he scoffed indignantly.
"Come on lets go!" He said leaping to his feet.
They quickly and silently made their way toward the wall, being carful to stay upwind of the few guards that patrolled the castle. Shippo held on for dear life as Inuyasha sprang them over the stone wall. Sango and Miroku flew over on Kirara's back.
They edged their way to the donjon carefully, pausing when Inuyasha held up a hand for them to stop. A young female wolf demon turned the corner carrying a large basket of what seemed to be freshly picked vegetables. She was humming gently to herself but stiffened when she saw the group staring at her. The female dropped her basket and opened her mouth to scream, but before she could make a sound Sango threw a small capsule at her face. A thick green smoke emerged from it and the wolf fell to the ground.
"You didn't have to kill her!" Shippo hissed.
"She's not dead," Sango whispered as she rolled her eyes. "She's just asleep. The capsule was filled with a sleeping potion. She'll wake up in a couple hours with one hell of a headache, but she'll be fine."
"Well, what are we gonna do with her? We can't just leave her here?"
"That's true." Miroku said looking thoughtful. "I'll stay here and guard her precious body from the cold of the night; and should she happen to wake up early I will gladly di- Ow!" he whined. "Sango, you misunderstood." He said waving his arms in surrender. "I was merely thinking of yo-"
"Save It!" Inuyasha cut in. "We're here to get Kagome so shut up and move!"
…..Kagome's Bedroom…..
Kagome was sitting on the bed, her back towards the window. She couldn't bear to look out the window anymore knowing that he wouldn't be coming anytime soon. Her head was hurting again, and it was only getting worse. Her chest felt like it had a vice wrapped around it and couldn't breath well.
She didn't see the Inuyasha and Sango jump in through the window.
She didn't see the red and black shadow sneaking up on her.
She didn't notice until it was too late when a hand broke a gas filled capsule in front of her nose.
She started to fall toward the floor but was caught by a clawed hand. When her head fell back she gave a small start as she realized it was Inuyasha that had her in his arms.
"Don't worry Kagome, we'll save you."
'Save me?' was the last thought she had before slumped into his arms unconscious.
…The next day….
The inutaichi had wondered all night looking for as secluded place to try to break the charm. They had finally wondered in to a small valley that was surrounded by mountains. The each mountain was peppered with caves. Choosing one whose entrance was well hidden, they rested until sunrise; which came far too quickly for their taste.
Kagome tried to escape several times since she woke up. She didn't understand why they couldn't let her be happy. They tried explaining that her feelings were the product of a spell, but that only upset seemed to upset her more.
"She's been crying and screaming all day," Sango said worriedly. "and she's starting to get sick."
"I know that!" Inuyasha yelled. "I don't know what to do!"
"I don't know what to do." He said more quietly clenching his fists at his sides.
"Miroku has been trying to break that damned spell all day, but nothings working. We get even get it to come of her neck. And too make things worse that bastard all ready mated Kagome!" he punched the wall of the cave, shattering a large fraction of it. He stood there, his body trembling slightly with anger. Slowly he calmed down. He turned to Sango and looked at her with a heart-wrenching expression on his face.
"I don't know what to do." He repeated quietly.
"You could start," came a new and unexpected voice. "by taking her back to the fortress." Daisuke said from the entrance of the cave looking absolutely livid.
"You!" Inuyasha shouted reaching for tetsusaiga.
"Oh, please none of that." Daisuke said flicking his hand in Inuyasha's direction. Cords of glowing energy shot from his finger tips, tightly binding Inuyasha's arms and legs. Inuyasha shouted and tried to claw his way loose to no avail. Sango reached for her hiraikotsu, when Daisuke tsked loudly.
"I'd rather prefer not to rough handle a pretty lady as yourself, but I will not hesitate to do so. If you please, step away from the weapon." Sango glared at him but did as he asked.
Miroku rushed in from the tunnel where he had been taking care of Kagome and paused when he saw the scene before him.
"Now, don't do anything stupid monk, I'd hate to have to hurt my dear pet's friends."
"What do you want?" he asked coldly.
"Why I should think it would be obvious. I want to take Kagome back where she belongs." Daisuke said with small smile.
"Bullshit!" Inuyasha spat. "She doesn't belong to that sissy-looking bastard!"
"Actually," Daisuke said with a small laugh. "She does."
"You're are sadly mistaken." Miroku said glaring at him.
"Oh, I suppose you were also sent by a certain goddess." Daisuke said raising an eyebrow, and grinning even wider when he saw their jaws drop.
"That's right, your goddess of love, Benzaiten, sent me here. Apparently those two are soul mates."
"Even if that were true why would she send you?" Sango asked still looking stunned.
"Because those two are entirely too stubborn, I was sent to- shall we say- move things along?" he said walking toward the tunnel and Kagome. The chords still attached toward his fingers dragged a protesting Inuyasha behind him. Sango and Miroku followed closely keeping wary eyes locked on him.
Daisuke looked amused to see Shippo and Kirara standing over Kagome so protectively. He looked back at Sango and Miroku with a quirked eyebrow. They frowned and gestured for Shippo and Kirara to step aside.
Daisuke was pained to see his pet so frail looking. She was asleep on the ground, her chest was heaving and she looked to be struggling for each breath. Her skin was so pale it was practically transparent. Her hair lay limp and soaked through with sweat. This isn't good. The amulet was blinking rapidly, worried for the young miko that it had worked so hard for.
"Why should we trust you?" Miroku asked, still suspicious.
"Because, I'm the one trying to keep your friend from dying; Take her back to the castle." He said.
"And why should we?" Inuyasha hollered from the ground.
"Because, if you don't she will die."