Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I had some technical difficulties with my life that I had to fix. Well here's the next chapter everyone has been waiting for

Reader: Give me the chapter I have waited almost a year!
Darkeyesblinded: Wait!
(Reader draws a kunai and aims it)
DarkeyesBlinded (Screams and throws the chapter at the reader) You're mean T_T

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha characters, some lucky person in Asia does.

Chapter 10
Stolen.

Kagome had never felt so at ease. As she made her way back to the village, the dawn's first rays broke the night sky, illuminating the beauty of the entire area.
"Kagome!"
She turned to see Inuyasha racing over. His hair glittered in the dawns golden rays.
"Inuyasha," She called happily. She waved to him franticly. He landed hard on one knee before he rose to his full height.
"Where have you been! You worried us! You were gone all night and-." He was silenced by two fingers to his lips. Startled golden eyes met soft brown that were smiling.

"Thank you for worrying, Inuyasha, but I am fine," Kagome said. His golden eyes soften, making his face even more handsome than before. "Go, check the eastern front, I think I missed a few stay birds over there along the way."

"Alright be careful Kagome," He said. He bent down and kissed her cheek before launching in to the air.

She closed her eyes. Nothing inside her stirred. Her heart didn't flutter the way it used to when he kissed her or when he stole glances her way. He was Inuyasha now, her friend, her family, her loved one.

He would always hold a special place in her heart. Just not the one he wanted to fill.

As she turned, she knew who would be waiting

Sesshomaru stood a little ways away. His silver hair glittered and his silver garbs shined like a thousand diamonds. She felt her breath catch as her eyes took in his full beauty. Her eyes traced the lines on his face, taking in each feature.

Something had changed?

What had changed?

Same long silver hair, same samurai armor, same golden eyes . . .

He approached her, his steps slow and echoing. His expression caught her off guard. His eyes . . . . They were soft and concerned yet it was masked by the icy expression he wore most often.

She smiled and met him half way wanting to know if he felt the same uneasiness that she did. They stood for a while, not speaking, or moving; just glad to be in each others presence.

Suddenly she stepped forward, wanting to know if he felt the same. If he, too, felt this need to be near her. Broken hearted and emotionally challenged, she wanted to know.

Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her face into his chest, just wanting to be near him.

Sesshomaru looked down at the Miko with emotionless eyes but with turmoil in his heart. She clung to him in a way she never had before. He could smell her fear that rested inside her and sensed the need of wanting to be close to him.

Yesterday she was trying to send him away in order to protect him and his charges. She had said that she locked him but wasn't willing to hurt him in order to have him.

That night before he had sensed her need to be alone, away from everyone though the other males in the village searched for her, he stayed saying she would come back when she was ready.
Today she had changed. Her expression was open and her eyes showed an animation he had only seen three years before. Back when she traveled with Inuyasha and she was deeply in love with him. Now here she was, clinging to him, wanting him to respond.

Did he even dare?

"Lord Sesshomaru?" He looked down at her head as she slowly raised her eyes to meet his.
"What?"

"Cam you forgive me for what happened yesterday?" She asked, "I don't want you to go and please stay as long as you want, just please don't go yet." She looked back down as she let go of his kimono. "I am sorry, forgive my forwardness."

Without another word, Sesshomaru of the western lands did something no though he was capable of.

He stepped forward. Kagome only had time to look up as he tilted her head back and descended down to touch her lips.

So this is what it was like . . . to feel for someone with your heart? Sesshomaru wondered as he pulled her close, burying his hand into her hair, holding her head steadfast. She reached up and wrapped her arms around him timidly before just closing her eyes.

Little did the couple know that from Kaede's home, four pairs of eyes watched them?

***

"Now that's a sight everyone expected but no one thought to see this early in the morning." Miroku said. "It's finally done."

"Yes," Sango said as she watched the two. "It's good for Kagome to find someone who loves her for her. She needs this."

"Yeah, I will just hate to tell Inuyasha," Koga said. "Better yet, I think I will. It will be funny to see his expression when he realizes he's lost the most precious thing in his life."

"No, Koga, it's not wise. Anyway he wouldn't believe us even if we told him," Miroku said. He sighed and then glared darkly. "He needs to see this for himself. He needs to discover this on his own so that he may come to understand the value of what he has lost."

"Heh, you're evil, Monk, that's way colder than what I had in store," Koga said. "At least mine was merciful and let him know up front. You're hiding everything, but you're right, he won't believe us."

Shippo looked back out at the couple and felt a swell of pity. He knew Inuyasha would be hurt. But even more so, he knew this was good for Kagome. She had been hurt too much and too many times He loved her as much as he loved him and as much as he would have loved to see them work, he knew they wouldn't. Inuyasha was too attached to Kikyo and Kagome now was too attached to Sesshomaru.

He sighed.

Was there any hope anymore?

***

Kagome met Sesshomaru's golden eyes as he pulled away. She felt her heart in her throat and her cheeks flushed to where they burned. His eyes were dazed and as he gave a wry smile but still a smile none the less.

"Will you stay with me, Lord Sesshomaru," Kagome asked. He gazed down at her as his eyes closed slightly.

"I will need to return to my lands soon, but for now, I will stay with you, Lady miko."

"Until next full moon," She asked.

"As you wish, lady Kagome," he said as he placed a small kiss on her forehead.

***

The Days passed slowly now for Kagome. Since the crow attack did so much damage there was much work to be done in the village. The men repaired the homes and also disposed of the demonic caucuses and used special incenses to banish the taint from the land so it would yield again.

The women tended to the sick and the wounded, opening their homes to the men whom needed rest of care. They helped with the home repair by making new thatch rugs and tarps.

But no one in the village was as busy as Kagome or her friends. Koga and Miroku helped with the repair and the cleansing of the village. Kaede aided the women with the sick and Inuyasha was on patrol, chasing away demons.

During the days, Kagome barely had enough time to get through the daily route. She was usually either called to heal the sick, purify a space, or patrolling the borders of the villages.

But when night came, Kagome always looked forward to her meetings with Sesshomaru.

He had made a full recover like any demon would. Fearful to have Inuyasha hurt him in any way, she moved his quarters to her own home with Kaede. He objected at first, saying his brother wouldn't be able to touch him let along hurt him. But Kagome insisted, saying she wished to take no chance.

Every night though, she went to bed peacefully, knowing she had made her decision for herself.

The following day, Kagome looked up to the sounded for hurried footsteps.

"Lady Kagome, Lady Kagome!"

"Katsu? What is wrong?"

"Visitors. Kaede told me to fetch you right a way," Katsu said out of breath. Kagome nodded.

Following Katsu, she saw the door to Kaede's home open and three guards standing outside.

Something has happen, She thought.

Entering inside she saw five people seated in the entrance hall; three burly looking men and one younger man and Kaede.

"Lady Kagome, thank you for joining us," Kaede said. "Come sit." Kagome smoothed down her facial features as she came and sat next to Kaede.

"Greetings, Lady Kagome, you look well." The young man spoke with quiet authority and bowed. Kagome followed suit. He looked to be in his late thirties with his long hair pulled back into a top knot atop his head. His face was shaven and his eyes warm.

"Lord Assano, it is good to see you again, it has been a long time," Kagome said. Assano smiled bitterly.

"Forgive my intrusion but I am afraid that I bear grave news," He said softly. "I do wish this could have been a pleasanter visit."

"What has happen?"

"You know of my late wife, Lady Kasumi of the white dragons," He said. "You and her became friends no?" Kagome nodded, a sick feeling sinking into her stomach.

"What has happen to lady Kasumi," Kagome asked bracing herself for the worst.

"She was attacked in the mountains near the temple. The demons tried to use her body as a host but she was able to fend them off but in the end she lost her battle with the grievous wounds that were inflicted upon her during the battle.

"Her pyre as you know must be seen over by another priestess and looked after by them," Lord Assano said as he went into a deep bow before Kagome. "I ask you as her widowed husband and as some who knew her to help my wife find her way into the afterlife safely." He then added more softly to where only Kagome could here. "It is what she would have wanted. For she loved you like her sister and cared for you deeply."

Kagome closed her eyes as she felt the same sickening feeling of lost invade her heart. She didn't want to travel those roads up to the Azure pass. They were full of bandits and brigands and she was afraid of them.

But as she looked at lord Assano bowed before her, his eyes tearing and his prided depleted by the loss of his beloved, Kagome felt her decision be made.

"I will over see her pyre, Lord Assano," She said. "Just give the day and the night to prepare and we will leave with my party at sun up tomorrow." Lord Assano bowed low, his head grazing the floor.

"I thank you great lady and my wishes to the gods that you make it safely to our village," he said. He then rose and motioned to the guards to follow him out.

"Kagome are you sure this is what you want," Kaede said as they left. "Those roads are hazardous and not many make it through there alive. Even Lord Assano feared them for he wouldn't have brought so many guards with him just to come down the mountain.

"I have to do this Kaede," Kagome said. "Kasumi was a dear friend of mine and she needs another priestess to look over her pyre." Kagome closed her eyes. "I must do this for her in order to pay my respects as well and to say good bye." Kaede nodded and sighed.

"So be it, but child take care. Take your group with you and be safe," Kaede nodded. Kagome rose and left with out another word.

***

"I don't see why you are coming along, Inuyasha, How long has it been since you last went to the temple," Koga said. Kagome sighed as she walked along.

She had spent the day making plans for departure. She organized a group of people to accompany her up the mountain.

Her group consisted mostly of her old friends. Sango and Miroku refused to stay behind, despite Kagome's objections. Sango had left her children in the care of Kaede and a maid to come along. Koga refused to be left behind, saying he needed the adventure and a chance to kick some ass at anyone who dared tried to hurt Kagome. Shippo and Rin along with Jaken trailed by Kagome staying close to her while speaking animatedly.

The two that she didn't want any where near each other though were unfortunately the two who insisted on sojourning with her up the mountain.

"Feh, as I have said wolf. Be glad that Kagome cares so much for you. Otherwise you would have been dead long ago." Inuyasha snapped as he walked in front of Kagome. He wore his old red hamaka and hayori made of the hair of the fire rat as he carried tetsusaiga at his waist and wore a garnet kimono open over his outfit. Kagome couldn't help but wonder if he wore it because he knew it brought back memories of their travels or if he just thought it easier to travel in.

"Ha! I can take you on any time pup. Just tell me when where and how hard you want your head bashed into the ground!" Kagome felt a headache coming on as she gritted her teeth.

"Cut it out you two. We're not children!" Miroku chimed in as he banged his staff on the ground. Koga and Inuyasha continued to argue as Shippo put in that children were better behaved.

She heard Inuyasha threaten to cut Koga's head off before she stopped dead.

"Enough! Arrrgh! You two are giving me a migraine the size of Tokyo." She snapped as she whirled on them. "Cut it out this instant or else I will shoot you both with purifying arrows and maybe then you two will shut up!" Koga and Inuyasha both stared at her thunderstruck as she turned and kept walking up the pass.

Why do men have to be so pigheaded? I hate you, I hate you too. I am going to kill you, I'll kill you first, it never ends! Kagome thought bitterly as she walked faster than the others.

"Calm yourself, lady miko." Kagome felt her guard relax as she remembered the other person by her side.

"You listen to them bicker and fight and then tell me too," She said as Sesshomaru walked casually beside her. He then stopped as she turned to face him.

"Jaken."

"Yes milord?"

"Fetch us some horses from my stables, quickly," Sesshomaru ordered. Jaken bowed as he used the staff to disappear.

"Why are you ordering horses?'

"So we may ride. It is a more convenient way to travel through these hazardous roads," He said coolly. Kagome felt herself shiver at the cold tone he used still.

She knew it was only for show.

The group continued on until late afternoon when Shippo ended up having to carry a tried Rin half way until they decided to rest.

The group spoke animatedly as Kagome sat quietly. The forest was dark and quiet as Koga and Inuyasha gathered wood for a fire. Shippo and Rin sat together while Shippo entertained her by shape changing and magic. She then stared up at the sky.

The stars were just showing when the men returned with the wood. Miroku lit a flint and with in moments there was a roaring fire in the middle of the circle.

"Here."

Kagome turned to see Sango holding out some cooked meat and a bowl of rice. "I made some food before we left and packed plenty. It should hold you over until morning."

"Thank you Sango, I didn't even think about food when we left this morning." She took the food gratefully as Sango sat next to her. As they ate, she noticed Sango staring at her oddly. "What is it?"

"Kagome, when are you going to tell Inuyasha?'

"Excuse me?"

"When are you going to tell him that you and Sesshomaru are courting now?" Kagome flinched as she slowly lowered he bowl.

"I really don't know, Sango-san," She said softly. "I don't know. But I know it will have to be soon." Sango nodded as she looked over at Inuyasha. He sat leaning against the tree with Tetsusaiga against his shoulder as he stared into the flames of the fire. The flames cast a golden glow to him which made him turn into a beautiful bronzed statue with golden eyes.

"With his outfit, he looks almost like he did three years ago," Sango said softly. Kagome looked back up to see him. Sango could see the memories play in her eyes as she stared longingly at him. Yet she also could se the pain her eyes held.

"Yes, he almost does," She said softly. Sango sighed as she stood.

"I know I will have to tell him soon," She said softly. "But I don't think I can bring myself to say anything yet. I mean everything that has happen the past few months has been so complicated, and I am kind of afraid to tell him."

"Why, is it that you still love him," Sango asked.

"No, it's just that I am afraid of hurting him," Kagome said as she looked down at her rice bowl, her appetite depleted. "I just know losing me will be like losing Kikyo all over again and I don't know if he can take that."

"But you can not let him keep thinking he has claim over you," Sango said. "He has marked with his scent; all of us can see that. Sesshomaru probably senses that as well but that is as far as he has ever gone." She paused suddenly and looked at Kagome, inquiringly.

"What?"

"Has Inuyasha ever taken you to his bed," She asked quietly. Kagome's cheeks flamed as she blurted out loudly.

"What? No! He never has," Kagome snapped. Sango laughed lightly. Kagome noticed that Miroku glanced over as did Inuyasha. Her cheeks darkened even more as she lowered her head and spoke quietly. "He never wanted to."

"That sounds odd," Sango said unabashed. "Usually it is customary for a man to take his wife shortly after their wedding day, but I guess Inuyasha only thought you guys engaged, never married so maybe that was why." Kagome paused as she remembered when she tried to press the issue to Inuyasha, but he always brushed the situation away, cheeks flamed and temper blaring.

Sighing, she was glad he never conceded to her advancements. She didn't think she could stand knowing she gave herself to someone who didn't love her and her alone.

Finishing her food, Sango stood and shifted her Hiraikous on her back.

"I am going to go take bath. There was a hot spring I saw a little further into the forest. Kagome nodded as she placed her bowl next to the fire and followed Sango. They walked in silence as each contemplated life.

Undressing, it was almost heaven to sink into the hot water. Her body cramped before releasing and relaxing. She allowed herself just to float wishing her mind would do the same.

Kagome knew that she would eventually have to tell Inuyasha that she was with Sesshomaru. She knew she couldn't hide the fact that her scent no longer carried a lingering scent that reminded her of the forest and the woods. Instead, it was becoming closer to that of a fresh spring or a high mountain air.

Sesshomaru's scent

She knew he was slowly claiming her by first laying a scent claim around her. She had learned enough from Sango, Miroku, Kaede and Koga that Scent claim was one way that a demon claimed his territory. He would encompass his chosen in his own scent as protection and a warning for other males to stay away.

She knew for a good five years she smelt like Inuyasha. Even though he had never really called on his claim which, if he had wanted to, he could strength it since they were still in his territory and he could claim her as his anytime. Plus with her further promise to him before they wed, she knew he could very well override Sesshomaru's claim.

She pondered for a bit, wondering if Inuyasha had even known he could do that. Could he . . .

Would he?

She felt the water ripple slightly as she felt an angry presence by the side of the lake on the other side of their spring.

Jumping up, Kagome quickly reached for her kimono and pulled it around her as she grabbed her bow.

"Kagome, what is it?" Sango asked. Suddenly her head whipped to one side as she reached for her Hiraikous.

Foolish humans who bath in my springs!. Kagome saw something slithering in the water. Sango jumped out and dressed quickly but not before the water rose up.

From the water, emerged a large, fish like woman with blue hair and sea green eyes. Her skin was the color of the sand and scaled as she let out a piercing shriek.

Covering her ears, she almost buckled over as the painful sound continued to emanate off the demon.

Forcing herself strait, she saw Sango raise her Hiraikous.

"Hiraikous!" She cried as she hurled the boomerang at the woman. It hit the woman head on and sliced her in two, but quickly she repaired herself with her water.

Foolish mortals! I am the lady of the spring, you can never kill me! Kagome aimed a careful arrow at the woman's mouth just as she was about the scream again.

The arrow hit its mark strait into hers. The woman screeched as it burned down her throat but did not kill her.

"Damn it!" Kagome dodged as a wave of water came rushing at her. She was lifted clear off the ground and slammed into a tree across the beach.

Falling forward, pain sliced its way into her, causing her to cough and sputter.

"Kagome! Are you okay," Sango rushed to her. Kagome held her shoulder as she lifted herself from the ground, using her long bow as support.

"I am fine. It seems when she speaks she has to stop screaming. And my arrows hurt her but aren't enough to kill her unless I hit the right spot." Sango nodded as she lifted her Hiraikous once again before taking stance and aiming.

"Hiraikous!" She hurled her weapon once again. Kagome stood as she knocked her bow quickly and drew.

Foolish girl-child, I told you, you can not kill me! The Hiraikous cut the demon in two once again.

Just as it passed through, Kagome shot her arrow, aiming for the center of the division.

With a shriek that dropped her to her knees, the demon cried out in rage as she was cut in two. With murderous eyes, she shot another wave of water at Kagome.

Kagome, too hurt to keep from going backwards, was slammed back into the lake as the water dragged her down deeper and deeper.

"KAGOME!"

As if she we're being dragged down to the depths of the lake by some unseen chain, Kagome couldn't seem to find her limbs. The icy water numbed her warm skin and cut through her like a thousand daggers. As she sank deeper and deeper, she felt herself getting drowsy.

The world was blue and silver before it went black.

Look, a human

Not only that a girl

Did Shenya send her to us?

Let's get her out and get a better look shall we?

Kagome felt herself being lifted up just before cold assaulted her. It encompassed her from all sides before she felt herself being tightly bound.

She felt the darkness leaving as she tried to stretch out her senses but found only pain. It was coming from somewhere around her wrists and ankles. She felt a something hot and runny on her upper shoulder and her lower abdomen.

Pretty little thing isn't she?

Shenya must have caught her bathing her in springs

She will make a fine meal and entertainment, for tonight, don't you think gentlemen? Kagome clenched her teeth as she forced herself to open her eyes.

She was sitting with her arms bounded tightly behind her back and her ankles bound together. She saw her single hamaka layer held together by the strings was tattered and ripped where her shoulder was bleeding and near her stomach as well. She cataloged the pains and found only a few sprains and flesh wounds.

Grateful, she felt her feelings were only fleeting as she took in her new surroundings,.

She was sitting by a fire in a small camp. She noticed three demons sitting a little ways away from her. All tall and in human guise as they debated on what to do with her

Carefully, she assessed the area with her aura, brushing things lightly enough to feel like the wind passing over. She felt that the animals had all left, sensing ill bearing demons about, they knew to leave. The auras of the demons felt like slime across her skin, but she clamped her jaw shut as she continued her assessment.

She couldn't feel her friends anywhere.

She truly was alone on this one.

Look, she has awoken, Kagome tensed as she kept her face neutral as they all turned. They looked identical say for their faces.

My how pretty she is

Dressed only in that flimsy hamaka

"Stay away," Kagome snapped as she saw the advancing. "Don't touch me!"

Feisty for a human

Saucy wench She saw one of them reach for her. She let her aura snap out.

"I said stay back!" She jerked on their auras hard with her own. She saw there faces change from amusement to shock to anger.

She's not a normal human. Can you feel that brothers?

We can feel brother.

"My friends will be looking for me," She said. "They will find me and they will kill you if you so much as harm a single hair on my head."

Your friends will be too late, Kagome leaned away as one of the men touched her face. He let his lizard like tongue emerge and stroke her jaw. No one will hear you scream here.

Struggling to move away, she felt that vile tongue lick the flesh of her neck before moving to cut the first string of her hamaka.

"I said get away," Kagome head butted the man as he came dangerously close to cutting the next string of her clothing.

Hissing, she saw the demon's eyes glow red as he grasped her about her neck.

Stupid wench! She felt his hand constricting her throat. She struggled against the ropes on her wrists and feet, but they didn't loosen anymore than the grip at her neck.

Looking down into the demon's eyes, she felt for the first time in three years, true fear.

Somebody . . . help me

Suddenly, there was a constricting feeling that entered the clearing. Kagome saw the demons visibly tense as they turned to face the other end of the clearing.

The soft step of someone walking towards the clearing penetrated the silence. Kagome felt her breath catch as she saw the newcomer.

From the darkness, Sesshomaru emerged.

Sesshomaru followed the river from the lake down stream.

He had seen the demon's dying move as it tried to drag Kagome down to the depths of the lake with her. He had seen the demons in the lake start to attack the other demon, making her lose her grip on Kagome.

Her fragile human body was rushed down the stream by the powerful current. He had followed it until he picked up her scent at the banks of the river.

Her scent was strongest in this direction.

As he emerged from the forest into a clearing, he saw something that made his eyes flash red and his claws ache.

Three river demons were gathered around Kagome. One held her up in the air by the throat as was choking her. Her arms bound behind her back with her feet, her struggles were futile against a demon's grasp.

Suddenly, Kagome was falling down to the ground, and the demons we're before him all hissing him.

Who are you!

What business do you have here?

Leave!

"I have come for the girl. Let her go and I will not kill you." Sesshomaru said evenly. He glared daggers into the demons before him. They all hissed as he could smell their verdict.

"Very well," He held his claws before him before he snapped them out. "Die."

The demons hissed and lunged just before he struck them down with his whip.

When he opened his eyes, he saw their bloody remains heaped across the ground. He paid no attention though. Walking over to where Kagome's body had been dropped.

She was unconscious again, she lay face down on the ground. Sesshomaru reached forward and turned her over. He felt his heart grow cold at the sight.

Her body was bruised and she was bleeding profusely from her shoulder and her side now. He could smell she hadn't lost a lot of blood, but she would need to be cared for before she did.

Picking her up, her up he called for Jaken.

"Jaken!"

Suddenly, from the sky, he saw what he needed.

Jaken, along with Rin and Shippo came descending downward towards them on his two headed steed. He saw the kit's eyes widened before they became a mask of horror.

"Kagome! Is she okay? What happen to her!" His questions came in streams as the landed. Sesshomaru paid no attention to him as he mounted the dragon.

"Jaken, use the staff and take yourselves to the castle, I will meet you there shortly."

"Aye milord." Jaken held the staff up as he opened up a large portal.

"What! You're not going into that black thing are you!" Shippo cried as he cowered back.

"It's okay Shippo-kun. We pass through the portal all the time," Rin said happily. "Don't worry, we need to go home so Lord Sesshomaru can take care of Lady Kagome." Sesshomaru felt the boy look up at him with suspicious eyes as he sniffed. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as he recognized the familiar look on the boy's face.

Inuyasha always behaved in such away.

Not waiting around anymore, he urged the dragons forward as they entered the blackness.

It lasted only for a seconds before they arrived at the western mountain castle.

He heard the kit gasp as they descended towards the grounds of his father's palace that he had inherited as the ruler of the Western lands and skies.

He dismounted the horse as he felt Kagome shift. She moaned softly as he held her close.

"Jaken, alert the servants of our arrival. Rin, take care of the kit and make sure he is comfortable. I will take care of the Miko."

"Aye milord!" Jaken and Rin said in unison as they sped away, Rin dragging a protesting Shippo all the way.

Entering the main foyer of the castle, he heard several soft gasps as he knew his presences hadn't been expected.

"Sesshomaru-dono, we hadn't….forgive me Sesshomaru-dono…"

"Stop groveling, Talamen. I need you to take this girl and have her cleaned up." Sesshomaru said. Talamen, a lowly dog demon looked at the girl as his eyes widened. "When the servants are done bandaging her place her in my quarters. Go." He carefully handed Kagome over to his serving man and left for his room.

He knew Talamen wasn't the only one shocked at his sudden presence. He knew the demon had asserted his appearance, his words and his actions. Had the servant been sputtering like that before, he would have killed him with out a second thought. He didn't keep incompetent servants as his vassals or his slaves.

But for some reason, he didn't. The only thoughts in his mind were of the girl slowly dying in his arms. He knew the servants would take care of her. They would see to it that she is cared for and that his orders were carried out to there fullest extent.

Looking down, he saw his hands and the white sleeves of his kimono we're covered in blood.

Slowly, he removed his armor and changed his kimono for the same white.

For once, he didn't put his armor back on. He still though, carried Tenseiga with him.

"Where do you think they could have taken her?" Koga snapped.

The group and fought back to demons that had tried to kill them all. After hearing Sango's shout, they all came rushing out finishing the battle quickly.

Combing the lake over and over, there was no trace of Kagome.

Inuyasha and Koga had searched up and down stream before they came across a small patch of dirt with blood on it and Kagome's scent.

They followed the scent to a clearing where there were rotting demon caucuses all about and blood splattered everywhere.

The scent trail ended here but no sign of Kagome.

Inuyasha lifted a bit of dirt and sniffed, this blood wasn't Kagome's. Her scent was concentrated in one small spot where her blood had dripped and mixed with a new scent that had crossed across the clearing from a different path in the woods.

Inuyasha growled as he recognized the scent.

"What is it, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked.

"Sesshomaru," He snapped. "He did this. He has taken Kagome!"

"No, you don't think . . . he would never hurt Kagome." Sango snapped.

"Sango, you know better than I do that he has no heart! He has hated humans all his life. Why would he start to love one now?"

"You're being ridiculous, Inuyasha. Sesshomaru would never hurt Kagome. He protects her and everything she cares for." Sango said.

"Then how do you explain his scent all over this clearing and with Kagome's and then having it suddenly vanishing? He must have taken her!"

"He is right, Sango," Miroku said, Sango glared at him but he held his hand up for patients. "Sesshomaru still is a full blooded demon. We have no way of knowing if he could hurt Kagome or not. It's still debatable."

"I say we go and find Sesshomaru's lair and ask him ourselves," Koga said. Inuyasha visibly tensed. "Any clue where he lives?"

"We know he took over as the ruler of the western lands when his father died. We know that much but where, we haven't the foggiest," Miroku said.

"I do," Inuyasha said quietly. All eyes turned to him as he hid his own.

"You do?"

"High in the mountains in was my dad's palace. He lived close to the sky for that is what he loved to most. I have been there once, only once to meet my brother." Inuyasha spoke though clench teeth.

"Then it's decided," Miroku said. "We will make for the mountains of the western land with Inuyasha leading the way." Koga echoed him in agreement as they all proceeded back to gather camp.

Inuyasha felt his rage tear at his gut. He knew the scum bag would show his true colors. How soon though was uncertain.

If he so much as harmed a hair on her head I will kill the son of a bitch, Inuyasha thought as he clenched the dirt that held Kagome's scent tightly in his claw.

If Kagome was alive, he would make sure that his bastard of a half brother never set eyes on her again.