Chapter 29

Disclaimer: Kpika: -bows apologetically- So, so, so sorry about this late update! I hope you can find it in your heart to-

Inu: -strangles Kpika- You little bitch! -glares-

Kag: -gets club- How dare you dump us for this long?! -bashes Kpika with it-

Ship: -gets prodding stick- I wanted to eat darn it! -pokes-

Tio: -stares- I have no reason to bash you since I do not want to be apart of this story anyway.

Kpika: -uses her author power to hold everyone back- Jeez! I said I was sorry! Isn't that good enough for you impatient jerks?!

Kag: No! I bet you completely lost the plot now, did ya? -glares-

Kpika: … Um… I am under no obligation to answer that! I want my lawyer!

Inu: We'll kill that damn business prick first!

Kpika: Not if I 'accidentally' make you die! -looks to the readers- I do not own any Inuyasha characters except for my own… duh.

Tio: Enough of this. Get on to the hideous chapter already.

Kpika: And off you go!

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"I am not scared damn it!"

"Oh yes you are! We all know! Stop whining already and let's set up camp!"

"But there's a little bit more sunlight! We could go further!"

"Oh, yeah, like a couple of meters? Give it up, Inuyasha! We can't travel at night anyway with your state!"

Finally settling their little bickering, they set up camp in a small yet guard plain surrounded my forest trees. It was the night of the full moon. Inuyasha was human. You get the giff. Kagome sighed as she unrolled her sleeping bag and laid it across the grassy field. It was true, the sun hasn't fully settled yet but they didn't want to take chances. So far, Inuyasha was still the loud, annoying, temperamental hanyou he was. Kagome just wanted a nice, quiet rest. Was that so much to ask for? Apparently, yes.

They made a small fire in the middle just as the sun had fully set and Inuyasha reverted to his human form. "Damn!" he cursed expressively, his violet eyes glaring at his black hair and short nails. "I hate this so much." He muttered under his breath.

"Oh, quite whining, Inuyasha." Kagome snapped at him. "What are you, like 200 years old? Shouldn't you be used to this by now?"

Inuyasha crossed his arms and Feh'd. Kagome sighed in relief, she didn't want to continue a further argument. She turned to Sango and smiled at her knowingly. "I did spy a hot spring further up. Care to join me?"

Sango gave her a grave expression. "Iie, Kagome," she said playfully. "I would just love it if I stayed with these lovely men rather then spend time with you in the gorgeous hot springs." She said sarcastically.

Kagome giggled but Miroku just smirked, a lecherous look in his eyes. "My, has the dear Sango fallen in love with me so greatly that she refuses to leave my side?" he clutched his heart. "Dear Sango! I would be honoured if you stayed by my said day and night." He said suggestively.

Too bad his smirk vanished when Sango hit him over the head with a random rock. Kagome laughed at this and at Sango's large blush. She went to her bag and got out her shampoo, conditioner and soap. She and Sango left the camp bringing their towels and weapons with them. But before they could get far someone called out to them.

"Hey! Wait a minute! Who said you could go take a bath?" Inuyasha yelled. He was clearly agitated.

Kagome glanced back and gave him a glare. "Just because this is your human night doesn't mean that we can't go clean ourselves up." She said sharply. "Besides, can't you see that Sango and I have weapons? We'll be all right." She said reassuringly before the two headed out again.

Grumbling under his breath, Inuyasha stared after them. He hated it when he was human, damn it!

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Sesshomaru stared down at the hawk demon with the bored look on his face. What in the seven hells was it trying to do? It was talking to him without a pause and it also seemed without a care. "Demon." Sesshomaru interrupted impatiently, stopped the hawk from continuing. "I do not know the reason for you to just randomly appear and talk my head off but I do wish for you to shut up." He said rather OOC-ish. Did he inherit his slight rudeness and impatience from Kagome? Most likely.

The hawk stared up at him with beady eyes. "But I was talking about my life story!" he squawked as his eyes seemed to tear up. "I-I thought the demon lord would care that my family died because of poisonous mushrooms that they tried to make soup out of!" he cried loudly.

It was enough to make Sesshomaru cringe at the screech. He reached forward and grabbed the youkai by its long neck. This demon had sprouted out from the gates of hell and has been talking to him nonstop. That little beak of it kept on opening and closing and opening and closing and Sesshomaru's patience was wearing thin. "Listen, you despicable little bird." He said coldly. "I do not have time to listen to your nonsense. I demand to know why you wanted to speak to me." he growled.

The hawk's black, beady eyes stared at him for awhile before they blinked in realization. "Oh! Yeah! Now I remember!" he beamed at the lord. He didn't seem to mind that he was practically choking him. He was that dumb. "So my little sister got into a big fight with bear youkai. She said it was because the bastard had stolen one of her baby feathers but the family found out that the bear didn't steal the feather at all. It turned out that the real youkai that took my sister's feather was a rat demon who used it as a napkin. So from then on, we-"

Sesshomaru's hold tightened on the youkai so much that his words were cut off. He was starting to get really pissed at the moment and this guy was one word away from getting his head cut clean off. "Tell me something of importance unless you want to die," he said icily. "And if it turned out you had nothing of importance to say at all, I will kill you at this same minute."

The hawk seemed to daze out for a moment and Sesshomaru noticed the small, red marking on its forehead slightly glow. At first, he found this mark intriguing but the demon just said it was a special trait. He didn't smell any sort of deceit on him so he didn't question it further. It was odd though. A small red circle with three stars and a moon in the background.

For some odd reason the hawk didn't answer him and Sesshomaru had just about enough of this. He tightened his hold on its neck, having every intention of squeezing it until it crushed. But then something stopped him. The bird youkai's beak seemed to turn into a snarl as its black eyes stared straight at him with a very satisfied and defined look in them. Not even a second went by before Sesshomaru noticed that the mark on its forehead disappeared.

The hawk's eyes then turned perplexed and frightened as it struggled in Sesshomaru's hold. "L-Lord Sesshomaru!" it squawked loudly in surprise as it tried to claw its way from his hold. "W-What is happening? H-How did I-I get here?" it stuttered.

Sesshomaru noticed the change in personality. He always wondered why this demon approached him with such confidence and chatted away like he was actually important. It didn't know fear then, its eyes showed defiance and sometimes mock laughter. Why did he change now?

He didn't listen to anymore of the demon's stuttering however as he quickly crushed the hawk's neck, sinking his demon poison within it and quickly threw it aside like the garbage he was. Something very strange had just occurred. It almost seemed as if the demon had changed places, was possessed by a higher, more powerful foe.

He wondered what it was about though. Someone out there was scheming something and he was sure it was Tioka. 'But.' He thought. 'I do not remember him having control of demons like his father had.' (he hasn't met Toko, remember?) So how could he have possibly controlled that demon? And what about that mark on its forehead?

Sesshomaru almost released a sigh. Either way, this bothersome demon had just delayed him from getting back to his castle with Rin and Jarken. Something, sort of like instinct and probably was, spiked through him as he felt himself bristle. How long had he been forced to listen to that demon? Half an hour? Maybe a little bit more? It was unlikely for Sesshomaru to lose track of time like that. He was delayed. He was delayed in getting to his castle. But why?

With lightening speed, Sesshomaru made his way towards his castle, which were only a few minutes away. He had been delayed intentionally meaning that stupid hawk was some sort of distraction or delusion. He needed to get to his castle quickly. There must have been a reason why he was purposely kept back. One thing was for sure though: however did this would certainly pay. No one tricks Sesshomaru, or even tries to, and gets away with it. He quickly sped forward, the sun rising from the horizon signaling dawn.

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Kagome sighed with utter bliss as she slipped into the hot, steaming, natural pool. How long has she felt this sensation? It felt like forever! Sango quietly slipped in next to her with a similar content look on her face. The warm water was relaxing, soothing all their stressed muscles and tense shoulders. Kagome closed her eyes and leaned against the edge, just sitting there and basking in the heaven she was in.

"I can't believe we've been traveling for so long without having one of these." She murmured happily. "Seriously, this never felt so good!"

Sango chuckled next to her. "Can't say I didn't miss it or else it would've been a lie." She sighed. "If someone were to kill me now I'd still die happily." she joked.

Kagome giggled by her side. "Don't say that or else it could come true!" she joked. "A perverted mole youkai might come running through the bushes wanting to eat us for dinner." She laughed.

Sango laughed with her and the two were enveloped in comfortable silence as they relaxed in the heavenly pool. A few minutes went by in utter silence. They didn't bother to use Kagome's futuristic goop yet since they were too tired all of a sudden.

Silence. Silence. Kagome could actually fall asleep then and there. Probably would have if she didn't hear Sango's whispers. "Kagome." she said hastily, an urgent tone in her voice.

Said miko looked up and glanced at Sango with glazed eyes. Damn it, she was sleepy! "Hm?" Kagome acknowledged.

Sango lifted herself up and wrapped a towel around her. Kagome watched her with confused eyes as she changed into her usual kimono and hoisted up her large boomerang. Sango's dark brown eyes glanced at her and she jerked her head sideways, signaling for her to get out as well.

Feeling a little bit left out Kagome did was she was told and got out with the towel wrapped around her. "Sango, what are you-"

She was cut off by Sango's small hiss. "I sense a demon." she said seriously as she scanned the area with her weapon held high. She hadn't dried herself properly and she was getting her clothes slightly soaked. Her long brown hair fell freely behind her, making dark spots on the ground where the water dripped.

Kagome had just put on her clothes on before she gave Sango a still-in-the-blue look. "What are you-"

Again Kagome was interrupted but this time by a loud squawk as she was lifted into the air by her clothes. "Aii!" she yelled as she floated up in the air. 'I always wanted to fly but I don't want to know!' she thought to herself.

"Kagome!" Sango yelled as she eyed the large eagle-like demon that was currently lifting Kagome into the air. She pulled her bone back and glared heatedly at it. "Hiraikotsu!" she yelled before she threw said object.

The aim was on target as the boomerang hit the large youkai, making it drop Kagome onto the ground. Luckily, Kagome wasn't that high up and was able to survive the impact without getting any serious injuries. The eagle youkai glared down at Sango as she successfully caught the weapon one-handed.

It squawked again and went down, this time its target was Sango. "Oh no you don't." Sango hissed as she threw her boomerang once more. It effectively cut the demon in half and she caught it skillfully.

Kagome stood up with shaky legs and grabbed her bow and arrows. "What the heck was that-"

And yet, she was interrupted once more as she felt a snake like thing wrap around her ankles. She stared down at it startled and saw it wasn't just one snake youkai but dozens of them combined into one large organism. Kagome repelled the urge to gag. She swiftly turned around and shot that arrow directly into the snake that had a hold of her ankles. It hissed violently before it turned into ashes with the purification energy.

"Hiraikotsu!" Sango yelled again as she threw her boomerang towards the massive pile.

Kagome notched another arrow quickly and shot it towards the small hoard as well, both attacks reaching their target at the exact same time. At the moment of impact, it died. Sango caught her boomerang once more and both she and Kagome smiled at their small victory.

But then, Sango's smile was erased as she saw yet another bird youkai swooping down on them, towards the unaware Kagome. Panicking, Sango ran towards her friend and pushed her roughly away so that instead of the bird youkai grabbing Kagome, it grabbed Sango instead.

"Sango!" Kagome shrieked loudly as she notched another arrow. At the moment of impact, Sango had dropped her weapon and was now thrashing wildly within the bird's hold although it didn't seem to have much use. She aimed at it carefully and shot with all the might she had.

But the youkai seemed to predict this and dodged the arrow by gliding slightly to the left. "Kagome! Sango!" masculine noises were heard as they neared the distressed miko who fumbled with yet another arrow. The two males burst into the clearing but they were too late as they watched Sango being carried away from them.

"Sango!" Kagome yelled with tears crusading down her cheeks. She shot again but the target was too far away now and the arrow fell uselessly to the ground in a weak arch. When Sango was no longer visible Kagome erupted in tears.

She hastily turned around and faced the three people. "Come on!" she yelled through muffled tears. "We've got to rescue her!"

Kirara then walked in with Kagome's bag and she quickly put the towels, shampoo and all that stuff inside, her vision blurred by tears. "Let's go!" Miroku said loudly and impatiently. He sounded angry. Very angry. His usually calm demeanor had slipped away and he looked like Inuyasha when Kagome was kidnapped. "Kirara!"

Immediately, Kirara turned into her large demon form and Miroku hopped on. "Go, Kirara! Go quickly and chase after Sango!" Miroku yelled furiously and the neko roared loudly. Her mistress was missing. She was not at all happy. She leapt into the sky followed by Kagome and Inuyasha since Shippo was with Miroku. They ended up running after them since Inuyasha was human tonight. They barely kept up with Kirara's speed. 'We're coming for you Sango.' Kagome swore inwardly as she wiped away her tears. She needed to be strong. She needed to be strong in order to rescue her friend. "Please be okay by then!'

At front, Kirara was flying like never before. Inuyasha couldn't get in front of her even if he was hanyou. Her master was kidnapped and she was downright furious! It wasn't all that different with Miroku either. His hands were tightly gripping Kirara's golden fur, his eyes set hard in front of him. Sango, the woman he loved slipped away from his grasp. Why couldn't they have arrive their sooner? Why couldn't he look after her like he wanted to? Why couldn't he keep her safe?

His violet eyes seemed to be alive with fire as Kirara continued to follow the scent of the tajiya. 'Don't worry, Sango.' Miroku thought. He inwardly cursed at the speed the kidnapper was going at. He couldn't even see it anymore! 'We'll get you back. I'll kill the demon who took you away from me!'

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Sango struggled against the youkai's hold but its claws were hard like steel. It had a tight grip on her shoulder and it was painfully digging into her skin. She glared with menace at the demon above her as she thrashed and kicked. "Let go of me you bastard!" she swore with such venom in her voice that the youkai visibly stiffened.

But then it started to let out a low-pitched chuckle and it was Sango's turn to stiffen. "I wasn't meant to take you." It said truthfully, a slightly frightened ting to its voice. "Master wanted me to kidnap that miko but returning with one of her friends is good enough." He sounded hopeful, as if he doubted what he said. "Too bad I had to leave with you. That devious wench would have purified me to ashes."

Sango eyes widened. They wanted to take Kagome? Why? "Tell me who you work for!" she yelled.

The eagle looked down and its hollow beady eyes stared confidently and, albeit, a little bit cockily too. "Now is not the time for you to be taking orders, wench." it smirked. "I can drop you right now and I have no doubt in my mind that you'll live to see the start of this day."

Sango looked down and gulped. It was right. They were really high up and it would be fatal if she fell from this height. "You wouldn't drop me." she hissed at the demon with only slight fear escaping her tone. "Like you said, your master would be very angry with you for not taking the right person. Who knows how angry he would be if you turned up empty handed."

"Who said you had to be alive?" it smirked without looking down. "As long as your friends follow you then the plan is set."

Her eyes widened. "What plan?" she shouted.

Again the eagle youkai released a low chuckle. "I do not know of the entire plan but I do know that you are the lure, the bait. It would have been that other wench but be happy with what you got, eh?" it squawked.

Sango glared daggers into the feathery bird although she knew she couldn't do anything. She had no idea where they were going. All she knew that they were getting further and further away from her friends. For some odd reason this eagle demon could fly faster than Kirara. It could even talk intelligently. Sango had heard that most eagle demons were silent or mute and only talked when needed. This thing seemed to talk freely and open-minded. Its powers were enhanced and also his verbal activities. She wondered if this thing had a shard. Kagome didn't seem to see anything so she doubted against it.

But how could her friends help her? Inuyasha was human and far slower. Kirara couldn't hold all three full-grown people and a little fox demon. She'd wear her energy out before they even found her. Did that mean Inuyasha and Kagome were running? Miroku would most likely be with Kirara and be in the lead with Shippo.

That didn't help her though. They shouldn't separate like that. But then, Sango also knew that they would have no chance in catching up to her and therefore were forced to stop and wait for the others. They would need to start their search tomorrow at dawn when Inuyasha would revert back to his hanyou self. Sango knew for a fact that Inuyasha had a better nose then Kirara so he would still be able to scent her out.

Sango glared angrily at him. She wanted at least one answer. One teeny little answer. "Who is your master, demon?" she asked/hissed. She had no idea where they were going. It seemed they were going to some sort of forest not far from here. She's never been there before and her group has never seen nor visited it before. In the center of the vast forest was a small circle in the middle. It was like a small plain except there were towers of rocks or something rising above it. At the top was a small shrine or temple. Sango didn't know which but she hardly cared. They were basically the same anyway. Why were they going to what seemed like holy grounds?

Again the thing chuckled deeply. Its black eyes glinted in excitement and anticipation as they neared their destination. "You'll find out soon enough." Was his oh-so helpful reply.

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Miroku almost cried out with stress when he and Kirara couldn't see the youkai anymore, much less Sango. He was trembling from head to toe with the unshed anger he was keeping in. He glared straight ahead and knew that their chase was lost. Kirara's nose was not as good as Inuyasha's. The slowed down and, reluctantly, Kirara descended to the earth.

Once they hit solid ground Miroku slid off Kirara wordlessly as he glared at the ground with clenched fists at his side. Why had they kidnapped Sango? Who was that blasted demon? Was he ordered to go and take her or was of its own free will?

Kagome and Inuyasha hadn't caught up to them yet with their human speed. Shippo was silently sitting on the ground, watching Miroku tremble wordlessly. Kirara had transformed into her miniature form in defeat, her head hung low and her two tails drooping.

Why couldn't Miroku protect the one he loved? At the end of all this. At the very end of all this destruction, Miroku had promised himself to Sango and she agreed willingly, without his persuasions. But they couldn't do that now and their very future together was at stake. Sango had been taken away from him and he didn't know what to do. They had to wait until dawn before they could give chase. Curse their luck!

Miroku slumped down with his hands on his head. Why couldn't he protect her? It was ironic in a way. He thought he was doing good by not peeping at them this time. It turned out have the opposite effect. If he had peeked them maybe, just maybe, he could have saved Sango. So much for being a gentlemen.

Shippo was suddenly by his side, tugging at his sleeve. Miroku just wanted to be alone at this moment but he couldn't just snap at him. No, he liked to call himself patient and calm. He would not let out his frustrations and anger on Shippo.

"Listen, Miroku." Shippo started even though Miroku hadn't even faced him yet. "You shouldn't take it so hard on yourself. You shouldn't blame yourself because it isn't really your fault." He said softly.

Slowly, so very slowly, Miroku turned his head to look at the kitsune. He had known Shippo for years now and has considered him as a very good friend, maybe even a little brother. But they never had this one to one moments before. Sure, Kirara was still here but she seemed to be swallowed by her own miseries. They've never really shared special moments with each other (if they did in the manga then I probably haven't read it or I just forgot. So sorry!) and exchanged meaningful words. Were they about to have one now?

"But I wasn't there, Shippo." Miroku replied softly. His eyes weren't the usual ones Shippo had gazed into before. They were solemn, almost grave. It was as if something special had been torn apart from him. It was probably true too. "I didn't come in time when I heard them scream."

"Hey, I was with you, remember?" Shippo started. "If coming there late was your fault then it was Inuyasha's and my fault too. You're only human but I'm a demon. I should have heard it sooner then you guys."

Painfully slowly, a small smile graced Miroku's lips. The kit was trying to cheer him up. His emerald eyes were glistening with determination and slight fear but they also seemed to glare at him. At this moment, Shippo looked a bit like Inuyasha in his defiance.

"And besides," he continued. "Sango's a tough person. Probably the toughest girl I know. Give her some credit will you? She won't have herself killed by some lousy bird." He smiled.

Miroku smiled too and for some odd reason, he was reminded by Inuyasha when Shippo said those words. It was what Miroku thought Inuyasha would have told him if he were here in Shippo's place. He saw how foolish it was for him to think that Sango had been torn away from him. She was tougher than anyone gave her credit for. She'd live. Heck, all those years ago, Sango told them that she sprouted from a grave when people thought she was dead. If that wasn't a strong will to live then Miroku didn't know what was.

He patted Shippo's head fondly and almost laughed at the small snarl on the boy's lips. "You know what?" Miroku asked cheerfully. "You and Inuyasha are more alike then you guys think. You could be him only smaller you know?"

Instead of offending Shippo, he actually looked shocked and then embarrassed. He didn't deny it at all. He wanted to become like Inuyasha anyhow. He was always so strong and brave and Shippo wanted to be like that too. He didn't want to have his personality though (since it kept upsetting Kagome). He liked being himself. He just wanted to be as strong as Inuyasha one day. Call it a little kid looking up to his role model or something.

Suddenly, the sounds of footsteps were coming towards them. Miroku was instantly on his feet, his staff out ready to defend the neko and kitsune. But Shippo knew better and his face broke into a wide smile. "It's Kagome and Inuyasha!" he cried.

Miroku quirked an eyebrow at him, not really believing it. But he did once he heard their familiar, bickering voices.

"What?! Who are you calling slow? I'm only a few steps behind you!"

"Feh! You need to exercise more! If you were really fit you would be keeping up with me!"

"I AM keeping up with you, your arrogant prick!"

"Who are you calling arrogant?!"

"Who else would you think fits under that description?!"

"You!"

"Ha! Now you're just making excuses!"

"Shut up, human!"

"You're human too your forgetful jerk!"

"Feh!"

And it seemed to revolve around there before they reached their three companions, all of them possessing a large sweat drop over their heads. Both newly arrived people stared at them and blinked twice. "WHAT?!" they said in union, getting slightly annoyed by their disapproving stares.

It was Kagome who first snapped out of it and felt her heart rate quicken. "Where's Sango?" she asked in a very frightened and worried voice.

Miroku wanted to look at the ground but he held his head up high. "We couldn't catch up to them." he said plainly, expressionlessly. And did I tell you, it freaked the heck out of Kagome. "The demon who took her was going to fast for Kirara to follow. We need to wait until Inuyasha becomes hanyou again before we continue our search."

Kagome didn't allow herself to cry. She would not be the only one despairing about this. With a determined stare Kagome nodded in acceptance. "Fine with us." She said. "We'll have to wait until dawn before we head out. We might as well rest for now."

Everyone nodded. Inuyasha dropped Sango's boomerang onto the ground. Kirara had already dropped Kagome's bag when she transformed into her tiny stage. Everyone sat around in a small circle, not bothering to make a fire at the moment. Something clicked in Kagome's mind. "What did you guys do to the fire in our last spot?" she asked. She didn't want a bush fire spreading through the forest. The idea didn't appeal to her for some odd reason.

"We put it out when we heard you two scream," Inuyasha filled in.

"What exactly happened, Kagome?" Miroku asked politely yet there was a nervous spark in his eyes.

"Well," Kagome said slowly, trying to remember what exactly happened. "Me and Sango were talking a bath right? Well, all of a sudden Sango got out and put her clothes on. She told me to get out and do the same and so naturally I obeyed. She was all jumpy and such and it made me all jumpy and such too." She said. "She said she sensed a demon and I was about to ask her what but then I was suddenly lifted up into a sky by a large bird. It was probably youkai though."

"So that was the scream we heard." Inuyasha said absently, his fists curling at his side.

Kagome nodded and continued, not noticing. "When I was still in the sky Sango threw Hiraikotsu at the demon and it let me go. I wasn't that high up anyway so I landed with only a couple of bruises." She said as she rubbed her sore arms and stomach. Dark purple bruises were already appearing. "When I stood up again the bird was coming towards Sango. She killed it just like that." she said proudly. "But then a snake like thingy grabbed my ankle and both me and Sango finished it off with our weapons."

"But…" Miroku trailed.

"But when we thought it was all safe Sango shoved me for some reason. I then saw Sango get carried away by yet another bird." She felt her eyes filling up. "She saved me guys. If she hadn't moved me I would've been the one who was taken away."

"It's not your fault Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, his anger rising. He was angrier at himself though. He wasn't there to protect her… again. But then he was also grateful to Sango for looking after her. If she hadn't moved Kagome Inuyasha would have blamed himself even more. "I believe its that blasted bird's fault! That's why were going to hunt it at dawn and kill it!" he growled.

"But who would do this?" Kagome asked. "It's not like that eagle demon would eat her… would it?" she asked fearfully.

Miroku shook his head. "No. Eagle demons wouldn't eat humans unless desperate. From what I saw, that demon was pretty healthy."

"But why did they want to take Kagome?" Shippo asked. "They all seemed to try and specifically kidnap her. Sango just got in their way."

Miroku felt a swelling pride when he said that although he had no idea why. "Then someone must have sent them out to get her." Inuyasha growled. "And I know exactly who would want to do that."

"Tioka." Everyone said in union.

"But why?" Miroku asked. "His main goal was to kill the people who killed his father. He wanted to kill you," -nodding to Inuyasha- "And Sesshomaru. Did he find out that Kagome also had something to do with Naraku's demise?"

"He wouldn't kill her." Inuyasha said darkly, a dangerous tint in his violet eyes. "He wants her like Onigumo wanted Kikyo. Except, for some odd reason, Tioka wants Kagome even more and not just for her body."

"Hey!" Kagome yelled, her face flushed with pure embarrassment. "Did you somehow forget I was right here next to you?" she yelled angrily.

Inuyasha ignored her. "He wants to make her his mate. He wouldn't want a dead bitch to be with forever would he?" he asked gravely.

"Hey!" Kagome interjected again. "Man, if I could sit you right now I would!" she growled in a very Inuyasha-like way.

Inuyasha ignored her again. "And it's like what Ukizo said. Tioka already knows Kagome's involvement with Naraku's death. He just wanted Kagome to forget us remember? Maybe that was the reason why Tioka wanted to kidnap her."

"To steal away her memories?" Miroku asked puzzled. "I wonder how he'd do that to Kagome…"

"Hello!" Kagome yelled angrily as she glared at the two. "Did I somehow turn invisible?! Or are you two just deaf?!" she screamed.

Ignoring her like always, Inuyasha continued. "So that's why he wanted to kidnap Kagome. Too bad he's got the wrong girl. He's going to have to face a very angry group when he wakes up in the morning." He said threateningly, deathly serious. "He's also going to pay for even trying to make Kagome his."

Suddenly, Kagome pulled Inuyasha's ears towards her and screamed in his ear. "Stop talking as if I wasn't here!" she yelled as loudly as she could.

Finally taking notice of her, Inuyasha jerked back and covered his ringing ears. "What was that for, bitch?!" Inuyasha yelled angrily.

Kagome glared at him until he shrunk back and made a sour face. She put her head down on her sleeping bag and turned her backs to him. She pulled the sleeping bag over her and decided to just ignore Inuyasha instead.

"Oi! I was talking to you, wench! Don't just ignore me!" Inuyasha yelled angrily.

But that just was what Kagome did. They thought they knew what Tioka was planning. Too bad they were deathly wrong.

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(I was going to end here but I decided to continue it as a present for updating so late)

Sango was roughly thrown into the shrine she had seen earlier. Her hands and ankles were bound and she could hardly see anything in the dim light. Sango cursed loudly and wondered if anybody heard her from outside. Surely someone would be on guard.

She had tried to knock down the door with her body but it was pretty hard wood. She didn't have any weapons with her either. Some perverted demons had patted her down. They didn't leave her alone without bleeding noses and a few bruises that would clearly show in the morning.

After what seemed like hours she had given up and leaned against the wall at the far end of the wall. She still didn't know who the heck was the mastermind of all this but she was as sure as hell going to find out. And when she did there really will be hell to pay.

When she was getting slightly drowsy from her sleepless night, Sango realized it was almost dawn. So that was how long she'd been kept in here? About ten hours or so? The soft sunlight seeped into the gaps and windows of the small shrine. She was really sleepy but she wouldn't sleep on enemy grounds.

Suddenly the door was swung open and another figure was thrown inside. They closed the door afterwards and when Sango was sure that they were out of hearing range, she approached the figure warily.

It was a child. A little girl. For some reason she somewhat recognized her. She crawled over to her, still bound, and lightly rolled her to her back. When she did she let out a small gasp. She really did recognize this girl before! Sometimes she would see her with Sesshomaru. "Hey." She said in a small whisper. "You all right?"

The girl opened her eyes and Sango was surprised at how much she and Kagome looked alike. "W-Where am I?" she stuttered.

Sango helped her sit up although she wasn't much help bounded. "I have no idea." She said truthfully. "I was taken hostage too. What's your name? Mine's Sango." She said with a tired smile.

She hesitated for a moment before answering in a slightly frightened voice. "Rin." She said. "Do you know where Sesshomaru-sama is?" she asked frightened.

Sango shook her head. So she was the girl who traveled with the lord. What was she again? Oh yeah, his human ward. "How did you get here?" she asked carefully.

"I was just sleeping and waiting for Sesshomaru-sama to come back." She explained. "But then these large birdies took me away before he returned and I ended up here. He was supposed to come home this morning too,"

Sango soothed the distressed child. What was happening? Why did someone kidnap a person under Sesshomaru's protection? He would certainly be coming for her. Then it hit her. What that eagle demon said. It said that she was some kind of lure, a bait. It was obvious she was too. Then something clicked in her mind.

The door swung open and a dark silhouette was what she could see. Slowly, her vision returned and she could see the person who caused all this trouble for them. Tioka stood in the doorway with his fangs visible as he smirked. "Sango. Hey. Pleasant to see you here." He said smoothly. "I would have preferred it if Kagome was here but you can't be too greedy now, can you?" he smirked.

Sango glared at him angrily as Rin seemed to move closer to her. "I know your plan you little-" she was reminded by the child and just snarled at him.

Tioka gave a chuckle and stared darkly at her. "Really?" he smiled evilly. He seemed to inherit that trait from his father. "Well, don't worry. Soon Inuyasha and his friends would come. Not to mention Sesshomaru. It'll be nice, having the family back together." His orange eyes shone at her, glinting with suppressed excitement. "It'll be like a party and everyone's invited. I'll guarantee you it'll be a hit." He laughed as he closed the door, enveloping Sango and Rin in darkness once more.

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Kpika: All right, that's it for this chapter!

Tio: So my plan was to lure Sesshomaru and Inuyasha to me because I was too lazy to go after them myself?

Kpika: YEP

Tio: … -shrugs- Whatever floats your boat.

Kag: Alright, I didn't really like this chapter at all! Why was I interrupted so many times at the beginning (The scene with Sango) and why was I being ignored at the end?! (the scene with Inuyasha)

Kpika: -shrugs- It just seemed funny at the time.

Ship: It's funny NOW

Kag: Oh shut up all of you!

Kpika: -looks around- Just realized, where the heck is Inuyasha?

Tio: He's buying us something call hot-dogs. He said they were really good.

Kag: (o.0) I thought he was horrified of them.

Tio: -shrugs- Changed his mind I guess. Maybe he did like it after all.

Kpika: Weird….

Ship: Anyway don't forget to review! Reviews make the lazy author type faster!

Kag: That's right! Okay, we'll see you guys later!

Kpika: Yeah! I can just feel this story coming to an end, can't you? Okay, we'll go now. Don't forget to review! BYE