Chapter Seven-Rescue Attempt
"Where do you suppose they went?" Kagome asked Inuyasha, as they gazed around the campsite they were sure belonged to Sesshoumaru's group.
"My brother doesn't stay in one place for very long. More than likely, he knew we would be coming for Saraku. So he fled with her."
"That poor girl must be so scared…twice she's been claimed by strangers now." Sango said as she looked around.
"Yes, well, it might not be as easy as we think to get her back. Sesshoumaru can be very manipulative. Who knows what he's already told her." Inuyasha responded.
"I doubt she'd believe anything Seshoumaru says. She liked us, Inuyasha. Well,some of us." Shippou put in.
"Yes,but if he was nice and kind to her…." Sango said softly.
"Are you saying she might actually like it better with Sesshoumaru?!" Inuyasha asked in disbelief.
"Exactly." Sango said.
Inuyasha shook his head, and looked at Kagome. What if they were right? Would he have to steal her by force? He couldn't bear the look of worry on Kagome's face. "We'll have her back, one way or another. We saw her first, and that's that." Inuyasha announced, before walking up ahead.
The new place Sesshoumaru had taken them to was even farther away from the camp her family had died in than before. Saraku was nervous about being so far in an unknown territory. She stuck close to Sesshoumaru, who didn't seem to like it, but didn't stop her either. She wondered if Inuyasha's group was still looking for her or not.
"We stop here. There is a storm coming. Jakken,bring wood for a fire. Saraku, Rin, help me make a shelter." Sesshoumaru said suddenly.
It had been so quiet, Sara jumped when the demon lord spoke. "Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru." She watched Rin for a few minutes, trying to get the idea of how it's to be built.
"Take that blanket over there, and hang it over the entrance." Rin instructed a few minutes later. Between herself,Rin and Sesshoumaru, the shelter was built in no time. To her surprise, Sara had enjoyed it. She heaved the blanket over the open hole. "Is it finished?"
"Almost. It's missing something very important." Sesshoumaru picked her, and Rin up,and walked into the shelter, sitting them down on their pallets. "There. Now it's finished. This shelter should hold the two of you safely. I will keep watch."
"Won't the storm hurt you, My Lord?" Sara asked worriedly. The last thing she needed was to lose another parental figure.
Sesshoumaru was surprised by the small girl's concern. He thought she hated him for kidnapping her from Inuyasha. Maybe his power of manipulation was getting better. He turned around, and looked at her. "Do not worry for me, Young One. I am also going to be safe. There is a place I dwell nearby, but it is not suitable for you or Rin." Without another word, Sesshoumaru walked away, and led Jakken to his own cave. This cave, he'd earned, by defeating the owners, a Wolf demon tribe. It was quaint, yet dangerous. Demons roamed the mountain range in which it was placed. Which was why he'd had to leave the two little girls down below. Once the fire was set up, he ordered Jakken to return to them, to make sure his brother didn't try anything with Saraku. Her concern for him warmed his heart, though he would never let it show, nor admit it to her. "Take that blanket over. Saraku felt a little warm earlier. It could be she is getting ill."
"Yes My Lord." Jakken grabbed up the blanket and headed back down the mountain to the girls' shelter.
"We can't stop! The longer we wait, the farther they'll be from us!" Kagome pleaded.
"Kagome, we can't keep going. There's a storm brewing!" Miroku hugged his friend gently. "If Sesshoumaru's smart, he's probably stopped too."
Inuyasha looked up at them. "I'll keep looking. The storm won't bother me any. Sesshoumaru won't expect me to come in a storm. You guys stay here." He fled before anyone could argue.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called after his vanishing form. "I don't believe him! He'll get himself killed!"
"Can't you see why he's doing it, Kagome?" Miroku asked. "He knows she means the world to you."
"What? I thought he just wanted her jewel shard….." Kagome looked at the monk now. "He…..for me?"
"Yes. Inuyasha doesn't really know how to express his feelings, but deep down, he loves you."
Kagome laughed now. "Yeah….right." She shook her head. If Inuyasha risked his life for you,of course he loves you. Didn't he make that a little clearer the time he rescued you from Kouga and the wolf demon tribe? And you know you love him, so stop acting like you don't. you should tell him! "Maybe you're right, Miroku,but until he tells me himself, I won't listen." She helped them finish the shelter in silence. They were all lost in their own thoughts now.
Meanwhile, Inuyasha had picked up his brother's scent. As it turned out, they'd only to go a few more miles. "Aha…." Inuyasha looked at the little shelter. "But…why isn't my brother there? This is almost too easy!" He crept out, and sprang to the shelter,pulling the blanket down. "Got ya!"
"No!" Rin clung to Saraku. "She's not yours anymore! She doesn't want to be with you anymore!"
"Tough Shit. She's coming back with me,now!" Inuyasha grabbed Sara by the ankle. "Let's go."
"NO!!" Sara clung to Rin, but it was no good. Inuyasha had her. "Let go of me!"
"Sorry, not happening." Inuyasha held on to the girl tighter, as she struggled. "You don't belong here with my brother. Trust me."
"All you want is my shard! Well, here." She snapped it off her neck, and threw it. "Go get it."
"I am not a damn dog, kid! And you're wrong! I do want you! Is that the shit Sesshoumaru filled your head with?! It's all lies!" Inuyasha growled, as the child bit into his arm and fled.
"Run, Sara! Run!" Rin called out.
Sara rain as fast as she could, as the rain began. It pelted her hard, as she looked desperately for where Sesshoumaru might be. "Lord Sesshoumaru!!"
"Saraku! What are you doing out here? The shelter is a better place for you." Jakken caught her by the wrist. He looked at her face, and noticed the tears. "Little One? What's happened? Where's Rin?"
"I-Inuyasha…..he's trying to take me away!"
Jakken gasped. "Oh my!" He scooped her up. "Where is Rin?"
"She's still in the shelter. We should get her, before Inuyasha does!"
"Calm down. Rin will know where to find us." He headed back up the mountain to the cave.
"Jakken, what is the- Saraku? Child, what's happened?"
"Inuyasha is trying to kidnap her." Jakken said.
"Inu- now things are going to get messy. Come here first, Sara." Sesshoumaru opened his arms for her to get a comforting hug.
"My Lord….I tried to stop him, but I couldn't." Sara snuggled into his unusually warm embrace.
"Shhh……I will deal with him. Did I not tell you I would before?" Sesshoumaru felt her forehead. "She is hotter than before. Jakken, make her tea with herbs." He carried her over to his own pallet, and laid her down, covering her up. "You rest. Don't worry about my brother. I will deal with him. " With that,Sesshoumaru grabbed his Tensaugia, and headed out into the pounding rain to deal with his brother. "INUYASHA! SHOW YOURSELF!"
"Sesshoumaru! You give her back to me, now!" Inuyasha emerged from behind a tree.
"I do not think so. She is ill, Inuyasha."
"And I suppose you think you're going to be the one to take care of her?!"
"Correct, Little Brother. If you want her, you're going to have to kill me."
"No problem! Can it wait until after this storm clears though? I hate fighting on wet ground!"
"Suit yourself." Sesshoumaru then fetched Rin from the shelter. It was on his way back he spotted the shard with the chain. "So you did try and take it from her! You greedy bastard! This is all she has left of her true family!" He picked it up, and pocketed it. "Come Rin. Lets get into drier confines." He went back up the mountain with Rin on his back, and walked into his cave. My little brother is foolish indeed,if he thinks he will defeat me. His sword is heavier than mine. What is this curious feeling I have towards that human child? And Rin too. My heartbreaks when I see them frightened or sad, and fills with warmth when they worry. Sesshoumaru made two new beds for Rin and himself. He checked on the sleeping Saraku before laying down himself. He would defeat Inuyasha, then he would take both girls to his home, where they would live.