So sorry for the lateness in this chapter! I do still know exactly where this story is going. I have a very valid excuse for not a sooner update. Poor little (stupid) me cut my hand at work, right between my thumb and forefinger. So, with stiches and all, it was kind of hard to type. But, my stiches are out (and I've got a really cool bumpy scar thing!) and so I can type again! Yeah! So, without too much further ado, the next chapter!

Oh, by the way, I don't own Inu Yasha. And another BTW, some of the characters in this chapter and a little later might be a tad out of character, but only for the reason that…um, I haven't actually seen them in the series. Just heard that they exist and stuff, so I just took a shot in the dark! Let me know if the shot misses, K? ^_^;;

Shadows

Chapter 10: Journey

"Inu Yasha!" Shippo cried as he poked at the unconscious hanyou. "Are you alright?"

Groggily Inu Yasha lifted his head, "Augh..what happened…Kagome!" he yelled and grabbed the nearest person, Shippo. "Where is she!"

"We were about to ask you the same thing Inu Yasha." Miroku sat down and looked at him. "It's nearly dawn. I woke up and found both you and Kagome gone."

"I followed her out here last night, and then we were attacked by a monster of Naraku's that looked like Kikyo!" Inu Yasha shook his head to clear it from the grogginess the miasma had caused and stood up. "We have to go after her! That thing said that Naraku had sent her to get Kagome!"

"Do you think it was the same thing that attacked Kagome's family?" Miroku asked worriedly.

"I'm sure of it."

"Well, we have to go back and tell the others about what has happened here." Miroku suggested, and the three of them headed back towards Kaede's hut.

*~*~*

"Kagome…Kagome…" a voice called out to her, from within the darkness that seemed to be surrounding her.

"Who is it? Who is that?" Kagome questioned out to it, trying to find who is was coming from. The voice was so familiar, but sounded so far away.

"Kagome...you need to listen to me. Soon you will be out of my reach. Don't let the darkness swallow you! Whatever you do, don't listen to the questions in your heart!"

"What? What does that mean!" Kagome questioned into the darkness again.

"Wake up!"

"What??"

"I said wake up woman!" as Kagome slowly opened her eyes she realized that voice belonged to someone else. "I'm not going to just let you sleep all day while I carry you around like some sack!" the woman tossed Kagome on to the ground and looked at her.

Kagome rubbed her head that had hit the ground with the throw. Slowly she looked up and discovered who had dumped her on the ground. "Ka-Kagura??"

Kagura looked down at her and smirked, "Well, good to know you remember me. Now would you be so kind as to get off your ass and get moving?"

*~*~*

"I wanna go too!!" Shippo yelled and pouted at Inu Yasha.

"I said no! Your staying here with Kagome's brother!" Inu Yasha yelled back and ignored the pouting.

"Listen Shippo, Souta. You both need to stay here, where it's safe. Kagome would be really mad at us if she knew we let you come with us on a dangerous mission." Sango tried to explain to the boys.

"But I've been on plenty of dangerous missions before, I've traveled with you guys everywhere!" Shippo went on pouting. Souta just looked back and forth at them all.

"Well, just stay here and keep Souta company then. Kagome would be happy to know that you were looking out for him."

Shippo pouted a little still, but shook his head in agreement. Souta looked at them, then walked up to Inu Yasha and tugged on his pants a little to get his attention. "Inu Yasha? Please, bring my sister back safely."

Inu Yasha looked down at Souta and tried to smile confidently, "No problem kid."

"Yes, do not worry Souta, we will bring your sister back unharmed," Miroku promised him as well.

With that, Inu Yasha, Sango, and Miroku, along with Kirara, left Souta and Shippo in the care of Kaede and headed off into the woods in the direction they believed Naraku's castle to be.

*~*~*

Kagome followed after Kagura silently. "What happened to that woman dressed like Kikyo that attacked me and Inu Yasha?"

"Naraku sent me to accompany you the rest of the way" Kagura answered, without bothering to glance at her. "He seems to think that that demon he created had served her purpose."

"Oh" Kagome answered and continued to follow her. Soon they came upon a large castle, covered in Naraku's miasma.

"Here we are. Get over here." Kagura yelled to her and grabbed her arm. She then called out "Master Naraku, we are here!" The two of them disappeared and then reappeared inside the castle.

Dragging Kagome into a great hall, she threw Kagome in front of her onto the ground and then knelt down herself. Kagome glanced upwards in front of her and found Naraku sitting on a chair, on his left Kanna with her mirror, and Kohaku to his right.

"How wonderful for you to join us girl. I have gone to great trouble to bring you here, but I hope that it was worth it."

Kagome stood up and faced him, anger building within her, "What exactly is it that you want with me Naraku!"

Naraku smirked at her, "Simple, Kagome, I've brought you here to kill Inu Yasha."

Kagome almost laughed, "Your insane! Why would I do that! I would never hurt Inu Yasha!"

Naraku's smirk got bigger, "You know girl, I was hoping you'd say that!" As he began to laugh, Kagura grabbed her by the shoulder and she felt something collide with her head before everything went black.

Um….I know that this chapter is a little shorter than the rest, but its kind of just setting it up. I promise the next one will be longer! And thank you to the people who reviewed the last chapter. I greatly appreciated it!

Please review my story! Review inspire me!! ^_^