AN: I'M BACK!!!!! Anyways enough about me, I know what you really want…on with the story…

Chapter 11

Kagome looked around the room. A large wooden table dominated the space, maps stretched along its surface. About ten demons were standing around the room, muttering to each other. Kagome and the others stood off to the side watching. The doors burst open and Mateo strode through them, his face a mask.

"I thought you took care of the Panther Demons, Mateo." Accused a rather rotund, dark haired demon. He was obviously one that was used to court life.

Mateo looked at him in disgust, then turned his attention back to Sesshomaru. "I believe they have found it."

Everyone looked confused except for Sesshomaru who as usual looked just as indifferent as ever. "Perhaps."

Mateo rolled his eyes and strode over to the table to peer at the map. Kagome was sure that Mateo just made a fatal mistake; surely Sesshomaru wasn't going to stand for this lack of respect? But she was wrong; Sesshomaru merely cocked his head to the side and stared intently at the golden haired demon. The others in the room seemed to be holding their breaths.

There was hatred in the eyes of Taiki as he stared at the demon who was his competition for the Lady Arya. Kagome watched as he curled his hands into fists and was clearly fighting the urge to snarl.

Inuyasha leaned against the wall and calmly surveyed the room. Calm Inuyasha was not something Kagome was used to, and it was starting to unnerve her.

Without turning around Mateo addressed Sesshomaru again, "They have it." He said with conviction. He finally turned and smirked at the still impassive demon. "They did the work for us."

And then something truly amazing and terrifying happened. Lord Sesshomaru, the ice prince himself, smiled.

Amid the shocked demons, Inuyasha turned to the door and breathed deeply. Concern etched across his face and he started towards the door just as they were pushed open. Kagome could hear raised voices on the other side.

"But I have to see Inuyasha!"

"That's Shippo's voice." Kagome realized and hurried to the door that Inuyasha was now opening the rest of the way.

Shippo jumped over the guard that was barring the way and landed on Inuyasha's shoulder. Blood dripped from the small fox's body where several large gashes marred his flesh.

"Shippo!" Kagome cried in alarm.

The guard tried to snag the small fox from Inuyasha, but when Inuyasha growled in warning, the guard backed down. "What happened, Shippo?" he asked quietly.

"Panther demons, they surrounded Rin and I when we went to play…they took her, Inuyasha!" that proclamation seemed to sap the last of his strength and he fell unconscious.

Inuyasha cradled Shippo close to his chest carefully. "They will pay for this." He vowed. He handed the small fox over to Sango, who quickly laid him on the floor and started to tend to his wounds.

"They will." Sesshomaru snarled and everyone looked at him in surprise. Mateo nodded as well and followed the tall demon as he strode toward the door. Inuyasha followed in step and Kagome rushed to follow.

"Will he recover?" asked Miroku as he leaned over Sango who was wrapping him in cloths that a servant brought.

Sango nodded and once she was done she carefully picked up the little fox and headed out of the room, conscious that the demons were still watching them after their leader made his dramatic exit. Miroku followed closely behind her.

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Kagome caught up with the demons as they entered what she thought of as Sesshomaru's office. There was an older demon rifling through papers and placing them on piles on the desk. His wizened faced looked up in surprise when the four of them rushed through the doors.

"I will be gone for a while. Keep my affairs in order. Tighten the security around the city while I am gone." Sesshomaru rattled off his instructions and the old demon nodded quickly.

Kagome noticed servant girl passing the door and she called out to grab her attention. "Do you know where my stuff is?"

The girl nodded nervously. "Yes."

"Bring my bow and the yellow bag here, okay?" the girl nodded and went on her way.

Inuyasha gave her a look, but she cut him off. "Don't you dare say to stay here." She warned, a hard glint in her eye. "Besides, you know I will just follow you." He smirked at her and nodded in defeat.

And so the two demons, half demon and Kagome set off from the castle, hot on the panther's trail. They traveled all day, not stopping at all. Inuyasha carried Kagome so that they could move at a fast pace. The trail was a big eratic and a few times they lost it and had to circle out to find it again. Eventually they made it a barrier and the four of them stopped and realized that they had found what they were looking for.

AN: ok I know it's short, but it's better than nothing…with school starting don't expect really quick updates…please review!!!!!!