Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co. I believe that honor goes to Rumiko Takahashi. I do, however, own Natasha.

CHAPTER 12 - Hope

Sesshomaru trained harder than he ever had. He was angry, and needed to relieve some of the anger before he killed something. He couldn't protect her, she was taken from him while she was in his arms. How could he let this happen? She was probably dead, but he would never give up hope.

Hope. Such a word. Sesshomaru stopped training, and dropped his sword, realizing he really hoped she was alive. He stood in the middle of the dojo, shaking. Whatever it took, he was going to find her, and before Natasha killed her. He would kill Natasha. Slowly, painfully, he would kill her for taking his Kagome.

His eyes widened at his last thought. My Kagome? When did I start thinking of her as mine? he wondered. She wasn't his. She would never be his. But by the Gods, he wanted to find her and protect her, with his own life if need be. Feeling no better than when he came into the dojo, he picked up his sword and sheathed it.

Returning home he found a note on his bed. The elegant writing told him it was from Natasha. With steady hands and a pounding heart, he read it.

Sesshomaru,

Meet me where we used to hang out

You know who I am

Emotionless mask in place, he crumpled up the paper in one hand and let it drop to the floor. Inside, he was shaking with rage, fighting to keep his emotions in check.

Tying his sword to his hip, he left in a hurry. He was leaving to the cave in the mountains, where he and Natasha used to hang out and spend their time together. She would try to seduce him, and he would shrug her away with disinterest.

~0~

He stood far away from the cave. Disgust and anger boiled within him, though it didn't show on his face. He stared into the mouth of the cave. He could sense Natasha's aura. It was mixed with the priestess's aura. Kagome was in there. He growled, wanting nothing more than to go to Kagome, to save her and bring her home. He would never let her go again. He would kill himself if something happened to her.

Would he really? Did he care that much for her wellbeing that he would take his own life? He didn't know if he really felt this way, but he knew he had to get her back. Slowly he began to walk toward the cave. Somehow he knew Natasha wouldn't kill Kagome yet. Not until she had him. Inwardly smirking, he knew he wouldn't let it happen.

Entering the cave, he followed the aura deeper into the cave.