Disclaimer: Nothing is mine.
Author's Note: I've been kinda busy lately. High school's a new experience for me and I'm still adjusting to it but I'll write whenever I have time.
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It was dark. And completely silent. Kagome looked around her warily, the swirling silver in her eyes flashing but even with her enhanced senses, she could hear and see nothing. She could tell that Inuyasha was in the same state of mind, every muscle in his body was tensed and his free hand was wrapped around the hilt of Tetsusaiga at his waist, almost as if he was expecting something to jump out at them.
'Inuyasha?' her mind ventured quietly, it almost seemed wrong to make a single sound in the pressured quiet.
He didn't respond for a few moments, weighing the menace that he felt humming from the walls. 'I don't like this place,' the thought sounded loudly in her mind and she almost winced at the harsh tone that it carried.
She could almost see his eyes darting around, trying to pick up the slightest movement to indicate that they were not alone. His ears would be flicking in every direction but having just about as much luck at his eyes were.
'Fuck Kagome, it feels wrong.'
'I know,' she responded, barely aware that her hand clenched his in a death grip, 'It feels like it shouldn't exist.'
Kagome took a hesitant step forwards, her sandal touching the ground slowly and she winced at the scraping sound that echoed loudly around them.
Thick cords lashed around her legs and she shouted out wordlessly as the material wrapped around her body.
"Inuyasha!" she screamed, feeling his hand slip from hers. She struggled to find it once more but the restrains kept her arms from moving from where they were suspended in the air.
She felt herself rising, whatever it was that kept her tied lengthened and slammed her against the wall. Kagome bit her tongue sharply to keep from screaming at the sudden chill that permeated her skin.
Light filled what she now saw as a cavern. Her eyes adjusted to the brightness quickly and she saw Inuyasha pinned below her, but against the opposite wall in the same fashion as she was. His arms were stretched above his head and lashed at the wrists, his clawed fingers pointing away from each other. His entire torso was covered with the oozing black restraints. His legs were spread and tied to the wall as well. But unlike her, he had a thick rope of the stuff over his mouth.
And to her absolute horror, she saw in one of the side walls, Tetsusaiga and her own sword.
She looked down at Inuyasha again, he was apparently unconscious, his eyes closed and a thin line of blood trailing down his face.
A cry of relief threatened to break free when she saw Miroku and Sango pinned next to him, their hands clasped together and her struggling increased but despite her increased strength and power, she could not budge the thick ropes.
Harsh laughter froze her movements.
"You look ridiculous, Kagome."
"Kikyo," she hissed angrily, "Release me at once."
"And have you miss the show?" Kikyo raised an eyebrow skeptically, "When I planned so long for it? I think not. After all, I've never been given the opportunity to watch my dear Inuyasha turn human."
Kagome froze, "What are you going to do?"
Kikyo just smiled at her, looking perfectly innocent.
"Damn you. Answer me Kikyo!"
"There's really no need to be so vulgar. I'm just going to have a little fun with our hanyou friend. That's all," her eyes flicked to Inuyasha's still form, "I know you're wondering how I know about his human night."
Kagome remained silent.
"It's easy enough to answer," Kikyo said slowly, "I know everything you do. Every memory, every feeling and emotion of yours are now part of me. It comes with sharing a soul. I know you love him. Don't you Kagome."
Kagome glared at her, "Then does it work the other way? Do I have your memories as well?"
"Of course not," she said lightly, "This is the soul of your lifetime. All the memories that died with me have been cleansed from this soul. Only the part of this soul from my lifetime contains my memories in it."
She was actually smiling as she said this. And it only served to make Kagome bristle even more.
The light in the cavern dimmed slightly and a shiver went through her. Kikyo's smile grew, "Sunset begins now is it? Well then , we'll get on with the show."
"We have about half an hour before complete sundown," she continued, "half an hour before the sacrifice of your companions."
Kagome's mind reached out slowly towards them, 'Sango-chan? Miroku-sama? Inuyasha??'
What she was not expecting was for her mind to slam back into her, causing her head to bang against the wall behind her and her breath to be rushed from her lungs.
"Oh and did I forget to mention," if it was possible, Kikyo's smile widened, "all of your 'Light' abilities are blocked in this place. In fact, I'd be surprised if you could touch your sword right now."
Kagome snarled, "Let me loose Kikyo! Or I swear I'll make you regret it."
"I don't think so little girl," Kikyo lifted a hand and snapped her fingers in the air. A lumbering youkai came from the shadows, carrying a large sack on its back. Kikyo snapped her fingers once more and the youkai lifted the bag and spilled its contents on the stone floor.
"Recognize these?"
Kagome's eyes widened, "What have you done, Kikyo . . . ?" her voice was whisper soft.
"Nothing much." Kikyo shrugged, "I just brought something that would guarantee your cooperation."
"Damn you Kikyo," Kagome's voice hissed, still just as soft as before but her eyes never left the two small figures that lay sprawled on the ground.
There, still and unmoving, were Shippo and Rin.
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Author's Note: And the plot thickens . . .
