Disclaimer: The characters are not legally mine put the plot is

At the end of the first day the small group had made it half way up the impossibly tall mountain. The miasma was dilute compared to what they normally encountered which befuddled the group. Agreeing to rest for the night they settled in hoping no more misfortunes would befall them.

"Sango…" Miroku whispered in the middle of the night restless with anticipation and worry.

"Yes Miroku?" Murmuring her response Sango shifted to see the monk.

"Promise me something…"

"Miroku I'm not going to have your child! It's too late for this stupidity now!" Sango sighed cutting him off.

"No… while I'd be absolutely enthralled if you ever said yes to that… I want you to promise to be careful out there tomorrow."

"I'm always careful Miroku."

"I know… it's just I feel like tomorrow's going to be different and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Oh… um … I don't want you to get hurt either. So keep that wind tunnel to yourself." Sango said uncomfortably. Glad it was dark, she felt the blush creep up her face, so Miroku couldn't see.

"Yah… will do… well then… um… night…" Miroku said uneasily holding back, scratching the back of his head slightly ashamed.

On the other side of the mountain the imp huffed and puffed trying to reach his master. Why must he always go ahead and leave me to take the hard road. Jaken thought scrambling up another steep ledge knocking a few rocks loose. Kagura is right, he is showing his compassion too much. Naraku might use that against him. That devil woman. He cursed vehemently.

Sesshomaru stood at the gates waiting. His hair blew in the harsh mountain air. He knew he couldn't enter just yet for he had already tried. The barrier had not come down yet. The tricky demon had made sure no one could enter before the second day. Unfortunately for Naraku it only added to Sesshomaru's anger.

Rin was in there he knew that to be sure. Her scent was all over this mountain almost like she had been allowed to run free like at his house. As soon as he got in he would grab the child and be gone. He would let Inuyasha deal with the stolen girl and Naraku. He had no patience for either of them anymore.

Rin looked up at Kohaku trying to tell what state his eyes were in now. For a few hours they were clear and intelligent. They had passed the time talking of his memories that he had remembered and of her wishes about what to do when they were both free. They played a few childish games. Then suddenly Kohaku became introverted. His eyes lost that boyish curiosity glint and became the hollow shells that let her know he was no longer there. They were still like that now as she caught a quick glimpse.

She never truly feared Kohaku but she knew what he was capable of and that frightened her slightly. Rin kept very quiet and very still; slowly drifting off to sleep while her silent partner stood on guard with vacant eyes.

The next time she was aware enough to comprehend what was going on she was outside in a courtyard. Her body moved on it's own accord and that frightened her beyond all measures. No matter how much she struggled she could not bring herself back into control.

"It's no use Leigh." Naraku said stepping out of the shadowy building beside her, "You may struggle all you like but I control you now."

Oh god. No. No! NO!! Someone help me! She screamed internally.

"Ha ha ha yes that's it my pet yell… they can't hear you. But I can and it only gives me greater satisfaction listening to you writhe like that." One of his great unformed arms reached out and grabbed her dragging closely.

He stroked the side of her face while she swore at him. Chuckling he lower his lips to hers, embracing her in a deep kiss. She shuddered mentally, she could feel his hands and lips on her yet she could do nothing to stop it. Oh god is this how it's always going to be!

"Eventually your spirit will break and you shall be mine. It is only a matter of time before the strain becomes too much for a fragile thing like you. Once that happens there will be no need for the curse, you'll be mine mind, body and soul." Naraku answered her thoughts smiling at her and disappearing into the dark, "Now then my pet… lets see how well you fight!"

Inuyasha bashed his Tetsusaiga repeatedly against the barrier without any indication of it weakening. The sun was almost directly overhead when he gave up swearing and hitting it and resolved to sit and wait with the rest of the group.

"I'll give the bastard one thing… he sure knows how to build a barrier." Inuyasha admitted bitterly.

He felt it weaken before he could see it. Reaching out to the puffing imp who had just managed to catch up Sesshomaru threw Jake at the gate and watched it crumble to pieces while the imp groaned amongst the rubble.

Why must he always treat me such? Jaken wailed internally.

Stepping over the rubble and threw the dust Sesshomaru emerged in a small field with a hut close to the outskirts of the castle courtyard. On the porch stood that damned boy Kohaku, Sesshomaru instantly knew that Rin was inside.

He moved closer letting his claws extend ready for attack. He sensed the being before they could strike. Sesshomaru whirled around to face the silent attacker. Ready to behead them he stopped short as he gazed upon the familiar face. Her eyes, however, were no longer their enchanting blue but rather a bright red. Sesshomaru ducked quick enough to miss her first swing. Jumping back to give himself some distance and time to think.

What the hell do I do now! Kill the girl? I can't… she's not herself… Sesshomaru thought bewildered, but I can't simply let her kill me!

She charged brandishing a long gleaming sword. She was very skilled but not as much as himself. He dodged her attacks nimbly and knocked the sword from her grasp. He flew upon her with a fury of punches and kicks. His goal was simply to incapacitate her so Inuyasha could deal with her later. Sesshomaru was startled by how easily she counter each of his hits. Suddenly she dropped to the ground as he went to maneuver a round house kick. Just as sprightly she jumped up and caught him square in the jaw with her foot. With one had he reached out and grabbed her by the neck, while he wiped the trickle of blood from his mouth. Snarling he brought her close to his face, her feet just grazing the tops of the grass.

She felt her self move toward an empty field drawn to an unfamiliar force. Mortified she watched as she snuck up on the tall silver haired man, she was even more frightened when he moved swiftly out of the way of her attack. He turned to face her and she realized who he was, Inuyasha's brother. His handsome features were set in stern stone as they fought. There was nothing she could do but helplessly scream for salvation. Only minutely proud of herself, she basked at the knowledge that she had hit him, but that faded all to suddenly as she found herself in a vice like grip struggling for air. His nails were burning her skin and she clawed at them to release her. Snarling he brought her within inches of his face, she got a good look at just how breath takingly handsome he was. As his grip tightened and breathing became harder she felt the fuzziness of the poison slip for a fraction and she was able to take hold of her body again in the split seconds before unconsciousness.

He watched stunned as her eyes shifted instantly from red to blue. Unnerved and ashamed of hurting an innocent girl he loosened his grip. Just as he did so her eyes were red again and she flipped over and out of his reach. Turning and running the girl disappeared into the court year. Frustrated Sesshomaru turned back to the cabin, only to find it gone. Growling lowly in anger Sesshomaru retrieve Jaken and moved towards the path the taxingly beautiful girl had gone.

A/N: Well I'd have to say that's a close call! I hope that satified anyones cravings! I'm really enjoying this! I'm hoping to get this story finished very soon! Please don't forget to read and review it means a lot to me!