Dangerous Situations

. o . x . o .

Kagome felt a flash of nerves as she sidled closer to Inuyasha. The half-demon didn't seem to mind, even lightly wrapped an arm around her waist, one hand ready to snatch his ring off and move should he need to. She smiled faintly at the waiter as they ordered drinks, then turned her gaze on Miroku and Sango, who leaned over the table. "What's going on?" Sango said quietly, her hand lightly resting on her purse.

"Few of Naraku's men outside it looks like," the half-demon drawled carelessly, though his tone matched theirs. "Might not have noticed us just yet, but be ready just in case. Miroku, you been training up with Sango like you promised?"

Miroku gave a curt nod, then grinned at Kagome's dropped jaw. "After our last experience with Naraku, Inuyasha told me to start training to defend against demons with Sango...didn't really need to worry about it until now anyhow, so..."

Kagome smacked Inuyasha's arm and he yelped in surprise. "Why wasn't I learning to fight, too, stupid? Jeez." She smacked his arm again for good measure, then crossed her arms, leaning on her elbows on the table, cautious of the fact that she sat across from Miroku and was wearing a strapless dress. "So are we just going to sit here and hope they don't notice?"

"Yep," Sango confirmed, nodding. She glanced over her shoulder as the waiter ducked into the private room again. "Just...be careful and be ready to move if something happens. Inuyasha and I will take care of it. Miroku, you're not ready to join in with the battling completely yet, need to find you a weapon, so you can hang back and keep anything that gets past us from Kagome. And that's only if something happens. Thanks," she added louder, taking the coke she'd ordered from the waiter.

Sipping at her own sweet tea, Kagome mused, "Right. Only if something happens."

Miroku, who'd ordered a beer, simply took a swig of his drink and said as the waiter left, "Poor guy must think we're part of a cult or something by now. You're too rich, Inuyasha."

"I don't see you complaining," he growled back, copying his friend. "Beer costs a fortune here, ya know." Miroku simply raised his glass in a silent cheers before going back to drinking it. Kagome rolled her eyes, scoffing, and Sango chuckled before taking another drink of her own drink. Leaning closer so that his lips just barely brushed Kagome's ear, making the miko blush, he whispered, "Pinch me if you sense anything else."

She gave a tiny nod. "I will," she agreed softly, shooting him a faint smile before leaning across the table to lightly touch Sango's arm. "Hey. Haven't seen your brother in a while...how's the little brat?"

Sango's lips twisted up into a brightly stated, "Being a little bastard as usual. He scared the hell out of Kirara last night. Poor little girl came running." She snorted decisively. "You'd think a cat demon of her size wouldn't be sent running off because of a simple jump scare...then again. Kohaku may have purposely dressed as a ghost from a scary movie we watched the other night. Couldn't blame her for getting out of there as fast as she could."

Kagome threw her head back and laughed, and the tenseness between the group vanished. Though they were wary of what might happen, they continued to chat among themselves, only stopping to grab the food that was soon delivered to them. When they'd finished eating, Inuyasha stood, offering a hand to help Kagome up. She lightly placed her fingers in his, letting him tug her up as he said gruffly, "Now we get to have fun getting out. I take it they're not gone yet?" Kagome shook her head to confirm his words. "Great. Sango, be ready."

"I will," she said, slipping her hand into her purse and winding her other through Miroku's arm. Her affectionate boyfriend patted her arm, violet eyes glancing around as they started to make their way out of the fancy restaurant.

Inuyasha ducked his head to murmur, "Stay close, wench. Don't think losing you would be such a good idea at the moment." She shook her head in agreement, stepping closer and copying Sango, winding her arm through his. He grinned and she rolled her eyes, ignoring him though giving his arm a small squeeze as she seeked out the comfort it offered. Then they headed out, stopping to pay for their meal. After handing over the cash, Inuyasha nudged Kagome forwards and towards the door.

Someone stepped in their path, glaring at them and obviously intending not to move.

"Lovely," Sango sighed, her hand grasping the dagger within her purse. "This is going to be fun...Miroku, keep an eye on Kagome. Make sure she's safe."

"Got it," Miroku agreed, kissing Sango's forehead. He stepped away, eyes studying another man that appeared. "Inuyasha, would you mind relinquishing the lovely Miss Higurashi to me so that I can get her to safety?"

Inuyasha looked somewhat reluctant, but released Kagome, gently urging her over to Miroku, who offered her his arm playfully. She hesitantly took it, glancing anxiously at the half-demon, who nodded in encouragement before turning his attention onto the matter at hand. "Be careful, wench."

"You, too," Kagome said softly, then let Miroku pull her away to sit down at a bar. "Is he going to take his ring off?" Something suddenly struck her and she gave a small gasp. "Does he have the Tetsusaiga?"

Miroku swore. "Damn. He left it in the car..."

Kagome threw her arms in the air. "Again? Seriously!?" She hesitated, then stood. "We should go get it, Miroku...what if-"

Miroku's gaze flickered towards where Sango and Inuyasha were calmly speaking in hushed tones to each other, planning as the people were closing in. A few of the other occupants of the restaurant were murmuring in confusion, watching with wide eyes. "Kagome, we can't. They've probably got people waiting outside for us. If Inuyasha goes full demon, you can handle him I'm sure. Right?"

"I think so," she mumbled, biting the inside of her cheek. "I can't guarantee anything though...if his demon side feels threatened by everyone here, it'll go nuts... And people are going to be very curious as to why someone's going around acting like a rabid dog..."

"Oi!" Inuyasha called back, "I'm not deaf!"

Kagome giggled, then hugged herself - just as someone made the first move. Silver glinted as a blade was suddenly hurled, it's sharp pointed tip landing a mere breath away from her own dark head. Kagome squeaked, ducking down as Inuyasha lunged forward, a dangerous look in his eyes as he slammed into the man who'd thrown the blade. Another joined with the first on struggling to subdue the now pissed off half-demon.

Sango's own blade whirled into existence as she snatched it out of her purse. With a soft click, a second blade slid out the other end and she twisted them apart so that she held a set of duel knives, a grin on her face as she challengingly studied the others around her. "Care to try?" she taunted.

Meanwhile, as they fought, people had begun to scream and run out, where sounds of gunfire were heard. Seeking comfort, eyes round with horror, Kagome reached out to grab MIroku's hand. He gave it a reassuring squeeze, any sign of a smile vanished off of his face.

Snarling under his breath, Inuyasha reached behind him, grabbing a chair by its legs and hauling it up and over, slamming it down on top of the man with his hands currently around Inuyasha's throat. The disguised half-demon swore, rubbing his neck as he shot to his feet and backed away. Sango ducked around him to swipe at someone with her knives, eyes narrowed when she realized they'd begun to pull out a gun. "They have weapons," she warned Inuyasha under her breath. "If they have guns-"

"We'll be fine," he muttered gruffly, glancing at Kagome to make sure she hadn't heard. She continued to watch with tears just barely shining in her eyes, her hand grasping Miroku's so tightly, he was wincing. "Just be ready to get the hell out of here if he comes out."

"Not very fond of guns then?" Sango mused, darting out to lash out with her knives. A tongue slithered out from between the man's lips and Sango's eyebrows rose. He wasn't wearing a seal like required. That was concerning. Narrowing her eyes, Sango gave him a glare, threatening holding up her knife. She would cut it off if he gave her the chance.

Miroku narrowed his violet eyes at the sound of sirens that began to blare in the air. "Inuyasha, Sango. We need to go. Now. Let them get caught."

Inuyasha hesitated, then gave a curt nod, waving for Sango to back up. He glared viciously at them, just daring them to get anywhere near the miko he protected as he slunk back with the slayer. The second he was sure they could get out of the building without an issue, he whipped around, dragging Kagome after him as he darted back into the VIP area. "This way," he said gruffly, eyes flashing as Miroku chased after, Sango hot on their heels with her knives still out. Hand tightly grasping Kagome's, he suddenly swore colorfully, shoving her to the ground and throwing himself over her in time for something to explode a mere few feet away. Miroku yelped as something struck him in the shoulder, which gave a sharp crack.

Shaking, Kagome could barely stagger to her feet in her shock. "Wh-what?" she breathed, grabbing his arm as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. "That was-"

"Damn, someone wants us dead," Sango mused, gently inspecting Miroku's shoulder before kicking at Inuyasha. "Out. Now. Before it gets worse- damn it, not now, Inuyasha!" The half-demon had frozen, looking furiously in the direction the explosion had come from. Flames now licked the air and walls around them, threatening to trap them inside. The ring that usually hid his appearance seemed to be nearly failing as his ears flickered into existence, flattened against his head. But what concerned them all the most was the red bleeding into his eyes. "Kagome, do something!"

"I don't control the idiot's every move!" Kagome cried in desperation, then slammed her hands over the half-demon's cheeks. He snarled, moving to jerk back, but she merely moved with him, refusing to let go as violet began to materialize on his cheek bones. "Inuyasha!" she said fiercely, capturing his gaze with desperate stormy eyes. "Listen to me! We need to get out of here. You can go nuts later, okay? Inuyasha!" The half-demon shook free of her grasp, nicking her fingers with sharp fangs as he snapped at them to free himself. "Damn it!"

Miroku, face white with pain as he pressed a hand to his shoulder, suddenly smirked despite his pain and reached forward, shoving Kagome closer to the half-demon until her body was pressed tightly against Inuyasha's. Kagome squeaked in surprise and Miroku was given a deadly look from furious golden-red eyes, but the half-demon did nothing to attack, merely purred and buried his nose in Kagome's hair. Desperate to get him to listen, Kagome tugged at the hair that hung on each side of his face, ignoring the strong arms that wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. "Inuyasha," she said softly, whispering the words into his ear, "Come on, help me get Miroku and Sango outside and to safety. Get us all to safety, and I'll let you stay out for a while. I won't get Tetsusaiga."

To her shock, Inuyasha seemed to contemplate this for a brief second, then gave a grumble, shoving her away. "Thank you," Kagome whispered, then grimaced when he shoved her roughly towards the door, glaring viciously at the two with them. "Come on," Kagome urged, waving for Miroku and Sango to follow. Inuyasha made up the last in their small line as they slid into an alleyway. The transformed half-demon's nostrils flared as he took in the scents on the air, then snarled under his breath, shoving Kagome against a wall and once again protecting her with his body as the building shook, another explosion going off within. Kagome gasped, wincing when something seared her cheek. Concern flooded her, however, when Inuyasha's enlarged talons dug into the brick, tearing through the hard surface with ease. "Inuyasha?" she breathed, twisting to peer up at him.

Ignoring her, he twisted her away from the wall, pushing her again, and Kagome stumbled forwards. "The car keys," she mumbled, pausing to study Inuyasha. He stared at her blankly, and guilt filled her as she saw the beginning of a burn on one shoulder. Ignoring Miroku's suggestive grin and Sango's arched eyebrows, she patted his pockets until she found what she was looking for. She tossed them at Sango. "Doubt I should drive. Now let's go. We need to get him back to the Takahashi place."

She didn't give a single protest when Inuyasha dragged her into his lap upon climbing into the car. Not even when he nuzzled his nose against her neck, lightly nibbling along the flesh there, his claws pricking her flesh gently as he tugged her as close as physically possible.

The second Sango pulled the car up the Takahashi driveway, Inuyasha was dragging kagome from it, ignoring her protests as he dragged her in the direction of some nearby trees. Miroku moved to get up, ignoring the pain in his shoulder, but Sango waved his concern for the two off. "He won't hurt her and that forest was planted for this specific reason, Miroku. Apparently demon Inuyasha prefers the trees. Now c'mon, let's get that shoulder looked at..."

Kagome, however, seemed to think differently. Scowling, she smacked at the hand that grasped her arm, trying to pry her arm free of his grasp. "Inuyasha, let go," she snapped, flicking his fingers again. "You're hurting me, damn it!"

He stopped suddenly, dropping her arm. But then he was growling softly, face inches away from hers and Kagome cursed herself for not even attempting to grab Tetsusaiga in the car. It had been a foot away on the seat they'd sat on, but she'd been too distracted by a grabby demon to even try and grab it. Purring, Inuyasha suddenly dropped his chin on top of her head, simply resting his head on top of hers for the hell of it.

"Yes, yes, you're being very nice," Kagome muttered, knowing better than to move. "But we need to go inside and tell your father what happened so he can warn Sesshomaru for Rin..." Trying to coax him into listening, she touched a violet stripe gently, letting her fingers lightly skim across it as she poked lightly at his chest to try and encourage him to step away. He grumbled, but finally did step back, glaring at her with an irritated look. "You can stop with the dirty looks. I did like I promised. You helped us out, I let you stay out for a while. Now we need to talk with your father and you need to be normal again."

Inuyasha grumbled, stubbornly crossing his arms and jutting out his chin as if he was a small child refusing to go to bed. His eyes flashed to her, and Kagome felt her cheeks flush as they heated with a look she was more than familiar with. "Don't you dare," she hissed under her breath, but he ignored her in favor of purring and sidling closer, backing her up against a tree. He pressed his lean form against hers and Kagome pursed her lips, fighting the heavy blush that was threatening to appear on her face. She'd been in intimate situations with Koga, yes, but that had been different. Very different then having an aroused crazed half-demon pressed against her. Suggestively, he let a clawed hand trail down her neck, and she shivered before smacking his hand away. "Off."

Growling in frustration, but understanding the uneasiness in her voice, he stepped back, watching her with intense red eyes. Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose, reaching up to tug lightly on one of his ears. "What," she sighed, "am I supposed to do with you? Damn, this is like dealing with a dog who's done something it wasn't supposed to."

Inuyasha scowled, as if bothered by her comparison, and Kagome snickered before scratching at the base of his ear. Hey, she should enjoy the ears while she could, right? "Please? Back off for now? We need to speak with Inutaisho."

He huffed softly, his breath whisking her bangs from her face, then violently shook his head. At first, Kagome thought it was him saying no, then realized differently when he snapped something under his breath about annoyances. Relieved, she patted his arm. "Better?"

"Shut up," he groaned, rubbing his head with a wince. He always ended up with head aches after such things. "The hell happened?"

"You went crazy and dragged me here after we got to the Takahashi place," Kagome reported, grabbing his arm. She tugged on it to get him to follow her, heading back out of the trees and towards the large house. "And you ruined my dress, damn it."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, pulling off his ring and glaring at it. "Gotta get this thing fixed now...the bastard broke the spell on it. I'll have to go talk with Totosai, get the location of that fox that made it able to hide me to begin with..."

Kagome shook her head, climbing the small flight of stairs that led to the porch, then stepped inside the beautiful and large house...only to be met by destruction. "Inuyasha?" she said, tone serious. The half-demon let a dangerous growl escape him as he shoved past her, keeping close in a protective motion. Walls were torn into pieces, chair smashed into pieces. A table had even been shoved through an otherwise unmarred wall.

"The hell?" Inuyasha muttered, studying his home with a dark look in his golden gaze. A loud crash had them glancing at each other before Inuyasha darted towards the sound, leaving Kagome to follow at her own human pace. She ducked into the living room - only to suddenly duck down as fast as she could when a vase came flying at her head. Her eyes darted around, taking in the wary Sango and Miroku peering out from where they'd ducked into a closet. Inuyasha was baring his fangs at the source of the destruction, a fairly pissed off looking Inutaisho.

Kagome had thought Inuyasha had been terrifying the first time she'd seen him in that dungeon-like prison. She'd thought she'd never see anything as bad as he and Naraku.

That was nothing like the fear that blossomed in her at the sight of Inutaisho's rage. His usually calm golden gaze looked like a carbon copy of the demon Inuyasha's, red with blue pupils. His violet stripes that decorated each cheek had frayed, covering most of his cheeks, and his face seemed to be distorted, half-way between a dog's and his usual humanoid face. His fangs were bared, growing long enough that they clipped his chin, creating a bloody mess around his mouth. His claws were inches long and currently buried in his son's shoulder, pinning him to the ground as he snapped furiously at his throat. Inuyasha swore, trying to shove him off, but was unsuccessful, his own demon threatening to break through despite disappearing mere minutes before. And in response to all of the youki flying around, Kagome's reiki snapped violently, reacting harshly as the dog demon turned on her.

"Don't touch her!" Inuyasha snapped, ignoring the blood that leaked from his already scorched shoulder in favor of diving between them. He winced at the shock that raced through him when he accidentally got too close. Inutaisho growled darkly in response.

"Inuyasha!"

The whimper caught his attention, and his golden gaze darted to the side momentarily. Shock filled his eyes when he saw the still bloodied Shippo, who'd dragged himself out from wherever he'd been hiding. His green eyes were half-closed, his breathing shallow, and Inuyasha's gaze narrowed in concern for him. "Kagome," he growled, "Get the runt." He guarded the miko carefully as she darted over to gently scoop him up into her arms. "What the hell happened, Shippo? Where's Mother?"

"Sh-she got..." Shippo shuddered, clutching Kagome's shoulder as pain racked through his small form. Kagome soothed him, running her fingers through his bloody hair. "I-I think that Naraku man got her, Inuyasha. M-Mr. Inutaisho got mad."

"I can see that," he growled, eyes never leaving his father. "And if what Kaede said was right-"

"Then she's the only one who can calm him," Sango rasped from where she and Miroku were hidden. Inutaisho's furious gaze turned towards them and she gave a gasp when he lunged towards them. Inuyasha dove between them, meeting his father's attack head on. A soft gasp escaped Kagome when blood spattered the walls, and Inuyasha yelped.

Suddenly, however, Inutaisho went still, eyes locking on nothing in particular. Wary, Inuyasha remained semi-crouched, ready to attack and protect despite the wounds that now decorated his previous injuries from the restaurant. The older dog demon's eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment, and relief flooded Kagome as the stripes seemed to become more finely edged, his fangs returning to their original size. "Inuyasha," she said softly, "He's calming down. Shippo? Are you okay?" The fox kit didn't answer, unconscious.

Inuyasha growled in frustration. "What the hell happened? You never blow up like that," he accused as Sango and Miroku slid out of hiding and hurried over to join them. Miroku held his shoulder gingerly, not putting too much pressure on it.

Inutaisho turned away, still glaring at the ground, as if he was listening to something they couldn't hear, and Inuyasha realized in an instant that he was. Izayoi was contacting Inutaisho in a way that only he could hear. He would demand answers when Inutaisho had calmed down completely. A gentle hand touched his arm. "Inuyasha...Shippo's hurt. Badly."

The half-demon turned his attention onto the woman he protected, golden eyes sweeping the fox kit in her arms. A growl threatened to rise up in his throat. Shippo was lucky to even be alive, he thought as he took in the lashes and wounds that ran along the poor child's body.

"I'll call one of our healers," Sango said softly, swiping at a reopened cut on her cheek. "All of us need to be seen to. Especially Shippo and Inuyasha. Just...I don't believe this is the best place...Inuyasha, can you call Sesshomaru? See if he can come keep an eye out here on your father? Perhaps the girl he protects will let us use her home to get fixed up..."

"I'll call Rin right now," Kagome said quietly, offering the unconscious boy in her arms to the sympathetic demon exterminator. Sango smoothed his red bangs out of his face, watching as Kagome dialed the number, stepping from the room to speak with Rin.

It was only when she left the room that he realized just how badly he was injured. Pain lanced through the half-demon, and Inuyasha swore softly under his breath, ears flattening against his head. Silently, he went over his injuries, determining the severity of each and every one of them. A nasty burn on one shoulder, a freshly bleeding one that had been inflicted minutes before. Various other injuries that needed tending to on risk of infection. He huffed. Why was it always him?

"Rin said we can head over," Kagome reported as she suddenly stepped into the wound, hugging herself. Blood slicked different portions of her, though most of it wasn't hers, and Inuyasha found that he hated it. "She says Sesshomaru will come over and keep an eye on Inutaisho, but she and Anshin are going to remain there with us."

"There were no guards at the gate," Miroku said suddenly, eyes narrowed with thought. There's always guards at the gates..."

"They're looking for her." Inutaisho's raspy voice startled them all and they quickly looked up at him. His tired golden eyes had shifted to his son, who met it without hesitation. "Izayoi...she was taking Shippo to the park and was attacked. I should have gone with her. I had paperwork that needed to be done, but I should have accompanied her. Naraku got her, she says that she's been locked up somewhere dark with no exit."

"Like the cave we were in," Kagome mused, gaze sympathetic as Inuyasha's chest rumbled with a furious growl. She soothingly rubbed his shoulder. "We'll find her, Inutaisho. I promise. I want to speak with Ms. Kaede, maybe there's someway one of us mikos can track her..."

"Impossible." Inutaisho shook his head, scrubbing a hand tiredly down his face. "If I cannot find her, then nobody can. She is my mate. I could find her anywhere if it were not Naraku and his allies that had her. At least I can make sure she is alright. See to it that Shippo is cared for, I have work to do." He waved at the area around him, looking exhausted.

"Of course," Kagome agreed, then glanced at Inuyasha. "...give me your keys. Your car is the only one we have and I'm not letting you drive like that. Your shoulder looks like you climbed into an oven, Inuyasha." She spoke firmly, refusing to take no for an answer as she glared at him.

"Fine," Inuyasha muttered, glaring back at her.

"We'll have to be careful," Sango mused, tossing the keys she'd pocketed. Kagome caught them with ease, frowning at the slayer. "Inuyasha's concealment is broken...it could be bad if he's seen."

"Take mine. I'm not leaving the house for a while." Inutaisho slipped a chain from around his neck, offering it to Inuyasha, who took it with a surprised look on his face. It was a simple golden chain, two rings hanging from it. One was newer, a pretty gold embedded with a diamond, and more than likely crazily expensive. But aside the new one was a simple, ancient looking ring, with decorative flowers engraved into it. Catching sight of Kagome's curious look, Inutaisho gave a soft huff before muttering, "It was Izayoi's previous incarnation's. She gifted it to me."

"It's beautiful," Kagome responded quietly as Inuyasha slid the chain around his neck and urged her forward. "We'll come back later, Inutaisho...Sango, could you make sure Shippo keeps breathing? You can use my phone to call someone to help on our way over there..."

"I'll do it. Sango needs to hold Shippo." Miroku took Kagome's offered phone, and the four of them left, Sango cradling the half-dead fox kit in her arms.

Inutaisho watched after them with a sorrowful look on his face, misery racing through him. A voice whispered soothingly in his mind, but it only served to anger the demon into grabbing something and throwing it. The voice became scolding and he only moaned quietly in distress.

His mate was nowhere close enough to soothe him.

Swiping furiously at the blood that trickled down her chin, Izayoi sat ramrod straight in the room she found herself locked in, a simple barrier set up to protect her from every demon that dared to try and hurt her. She would not drop it, not give them the power to scare her into doing so. She could feel Inutaisho's fury and grief racing through her own mind, but she forced herself to keep her words soothing rather then frightened. It would only make him angrier. Inuyasha had inherited many things from his father. His coloring, his love of thrills. But she had often found herself hoping that this possessiveness that Inutaisho felt wouldn't be there.

She hadn't been aware of just how controlling the man she loved could be until a few years after they'd first gotten together. In a temper over something minor, she'd stormed off, refusing to so much as contact him for a few days despite his demands, and when she'd finally returned home, she'd been truly frightened by the demon that waited for her. Inutaisho wasn't a bad man by any means. But that had been one of the moments she worried over whether she'd made the right choice when coming together with a demon.

She didn't blame him. It was his demon nature. She was, in his eyes, his. And what belonged to him, he could do as he pleased with. He loved her dearly, of course, she knew that. His thoughts were anything but private between them, just as hers weren't blockaded from his view. But the idea of another taking her put him on edge, and she rarely was able to leave his sight because of it.

The sound of a door opening made her lift her eyes. Steeling herself, she easily met the gaze of Naraku. "What do you want?" she said icily, refusing to give him triumph by showing fear.

Naraku's lips curved into a smug smile. "I want the miko you took from me. Even Inutaisho Takahashi will be willing to give her up in exchange for his mate."

"Nope." Izayoi shook her head, ignoring the growl that filled her mind. There was no way she could keep this from Inutaisho. He heard it as she went over his words in her mind. "He wouldn't do it. Kagome Higurashi will not be joining you, Naraku. She belongs to my son."

Nobody would challenge a demon's - or half-demon's - claim on another living being. Nobody. Except Naraku, it appeared, as he threw his head back and laughed. "I bet he will when I begin my...work on you. How would he like to have his mate back in little pieces, huh?" He stepped closer, ignoring the cackling of the barrier that met his approach. "We could start small...how about that pretty hair of yours?" He reached out and winced when his hand was seared by the barrier.

"You can try," Izayoi said coldly. "You will not be able to touch me."

"Watch me," Naraku muttered back. "I do not have only demons working beneath me, Mrs. Takahashi." he smirked, eyes flashing. "I know that little mating bond of yours can relay what I'm saying to your husband. I'll be addressing him now. For every day that you refuse to send me Miss Kagome, a piece of your mate will be sent back to you. I await your decision."

The second he left the room, Inutaisho's thoughts filtered in. Izayoi protested against them, demanding he listen to her, but he was too frantic to do so. Fearful, Izayoi swallowed drily, and prayed that her son could fend off his father.

"Thanks, Takeshi," Miroku said gratefully, rubbing his shoulder with a grimace. The youth had popped it back into place with careful hands, and though it still ached, he found it felt much better then it had before.

Takeshi flashed his daughter's boyfriend a grim smile, then moved on warily to Inuyasha. Shippo had already been taken care of and slept deeply in Sango's lap as the slayer ran her fingers through his bright red hair. Inuyasha gave a low growl as Takeshi began to inspect his wounds after tearing the remains of his suit jacket and shirt off. Takeshi gave a low whistle. "I keep forgetting how quick of healing you guys are. Can handle a billion times more pain then we can, that's for sure."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Because you humans are useless." He slouched forward so Takeshi could set to work on cleaning up his shoulder and the other wounds that littered his body, his disguised golden eyes flicking to Kagome, who leaned against the wall beside Rin with an uneasy look on her face. Anshin had gone into the kitchen to get them all something to drink. "Oi. Wench. What's with the face?"

Kagome's gray eyes snapped to his, and then looked off to the side. "I...I'm worried, that's all. I hope Izayoi's okay."

Inuyasha dropped his gaze to the floor immediately, looking thoughtful. "She'll be fine," he said firmly, though he didn't sound too convinced. "She's...strong. She's trained herself, too. She knows what she can and can't do. She'll keep herself safe until we can get to her." He suddenly yelped, glaring at Takeshi, who shrugged apologetically.

Rin hummed thoughtfully as she tucked some hair behind her ear with her free hand, the other having a tight grasp on the Pomeranian cradled in the crook of her arm. Kai kept giving a vicious growl directed at Inuyasha, his lips pulled back in an irritable look that Inuyasha simply ignored. "Sesshomaru said that he would make sure she was found...I'm sure he'll find her."

"Inutaisho already had every one of the many that serve him looking for her," Miroku said gently, "I doubt that Sesshomaru can do much more, Rin."

"Well he can try," Anshin announced, flouncing into the room. She set a tray of multiple teacups and a teapot down on a coffee table, then folded her arms, smirking. Her lip piercing twinkled in the lighting. "Anyways...how the hell did this happen?" She waved at the burn on Inuyasha's shoulder as Takeshi finished dressing the wound. "I doubt this was made by Inutaisho's temper..."

"We were attacked while out on a double date," Sango mused, giving Kagome a smug look when the miko opened her mouth to protest. "Someone tried to kill us with an explosion. Inuyasha protected Kagome. No worries, the only ones who died were the bad ones."

Kagome cleared her throat quietly. "It's obvious why he's doing all of this, right? He wants me. The second I showed up, he discovered what he wanted. He's just trying to get me back into his grasp...and now he's hurting everyone else. I should give myself up. Maybe he'd give Izayoi back and leave you all alone..."

A low, thunderous growl met their ears at the suggestion. Anshin eyed the furious half-demon with a warning look. "You destroy my home, I'm kicking you to the curb, mutt. You hear me? Sesshomaru's already had this warning."

"No offense, Kagome," Takeshi muttered as he finished bandaging one of Inuyasha's wounds. He stepped back, finished, and eyed his work crucially. "But Naraku's been at war with the Takahashis, the demon slayers, and others for centuries. You giving yourself up will merely put a weapon in his hands. It'll only hurt us all more then he could ever do with just Mrs. Takahashi...no offense, Inuyasha."

"But-"

"There's nothing you can do in giving yourself up, Kagome," Sango said firmly, patting Shippo's head when the fox kit stirred. "Just stay out of danger for now, and that'll be good enough."

"No," Kagome said firmly, glaring at them all. "I want to help. There's gotta be some way I can help."

"At least Miroku can fight," Inuyasha said bluntly. "Anshin's got some control over her abilities. You can't do anything yet, wench. You're pretty much useless for now. There's nothing you can physically do until you've been trained up a bit."

Kagome's mouth clicked shut, her gray eyes glaring angrily at the half-demon before she shook her head in desperation and stalked off, her gaze furious. Sango groaned. "Inuaysha, you don't call women you like useless. Especially not Kagome. She's going to be silent for who the hell knows how long...sorry, Father," she said quickly when her father sent her a sharp look.

Miroku pursed his lips. "Ah, yes, but it appears we have an issue. You do realize that Naraku is searching for the lovely Kagome, yes? And she just walked outside alone after we were attacked and your adopted mother was taken by the enemy..."

Inuyasha cursed, ripping away from Takeshi and tearing after the miko with a lethal expression on his face.

Takeshi chuckled. "I have known that boy my entire life. It is interesting to see him out of the control he so desperately likes to have...Miroku, my boy, you have a nasty looking scratch there. Want some ointment for it?"

"Sure." The young man offered his arm, only to jump when the door slammed back open, sending a rather nice crack racing up the wall when the handle slammed through plaster. Inuyasha's eyes bled red.

"Damn that bitch to hell and back," he spat, gritting his fangs, "She's gone."

Glossary:

-miko: in this fanfiction (and most others), the term miko refers to a Japanese priestess with spiritual abilities

-reiki: the spiritual powers of a priestess/miko (I believe)

-youki: a demonic aura (I believe)

A/N:

And...more trouble! Yay! But trouble is the best...and Inuyasha got pretty close to Kagome there for a second there, eh? ;)

LaughterLover98: Nah, apparently not Koga. Koga's kind of disappeared for the time being. Lol. Glad you enjoyed!

Warm-Amber92: Oh, there will, eventually, be more Rin and Sesshomaru, have no fears about that. I do hope this cliffhanger made up for the lack of that as well?

Princess Inume: Naraku's being sneaky when it comes to poor Izayoi, is he not? ;)

EurydicesRevenge: Cruel endings are the most fun to write, though! What would a piece of writing be without cliffhangers?! Lol.

picclover: I'm glad you liked it! Here you are! ;)

AzianCutieMiyan: I'm glad you think so. I work very hard on these chapters. Lol.

NekoxUsa: Poor Shippo's having a hard time right now, is he not? I'm glad you like it. :3

lemerly: I'll agree to that. It is very difficult to find decent fanfictions that you haven't already read...I find myself with that issue, as well.

Lilliana Hana: Inuyasha's arrogance period is a lovely and adorable yet irritating thing, is it not? I'm glad you liked it. :)

lolalove85: Of course! it is a pleasure to write for people who like to read my work. :)

darklightening: I'm glad you like it, and I hope you continue to enjoy my work! :)

Guests!: Thank you for your reviews, they are a lovely thing!