Wow, an early update! Hooray for me. Thanks again for the reviews. If it wasn't for all the great encouragement, I probably wouldn't bother to keep writing. I get forgetful and distracted pretty easily. Hehe… For those who are confused, this chapter should clarify events thus far. Enjoy!

Jeez, my fiancée just informed me that Ryu is the name of a Street Fighter character. There is no relation, just random chance… :P

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Ryu had thought the trip back to Lord Haburi's would be stressful, chaotic, and very difficult. He was actually quite wrong. It was far worse.

After his initial capture of the girl, she had fought back with frightening ferocity. Ryu was fortunate enough to be stronger than her, but that did not make it easier to keep her writhing, hissing mass within his grasp. He was sure that he was going to end up with an eye removed, or a limb torn off.

Suddenly, she had gone limp. Her head rolled forward onto her chest, and her entire body sank into Ryu's arms. He had blinked with surprise, then loosened his grasp as he tried to turn her about and check what was the matter. He found it hard to believe that exhaustion had found her so quickly.

As his grip loosened, she suddenly sprang back into life, and out of his arms. He soon found himself in pursuit of her once more, cursing his own sheer stupidity.

By the time he held her in his arms once more, the day was beginning to wane. Soft hues of orange and red tinted the clouds above as the sun made its descent from the sky. Insects were beginning their evening concert, the crickets eagerly chirping the loudest of all. Nightfall arrived, and both the fox demon and the tiger hanyou were completely exhausted.

Ryu was certain that if the girl had not been so tired, he never would have been able to catch her. Even when he saw that her strength was ebbing, her movements were almost too rapid for even his keen fox eyes to follow. Then he had remembered one of the traits a tiger demon possessed; the ability to melt into the surroundings, and seem to disappear. The best of the tiger demons could become invisible right before your eyes, leaving not even the trace of a scent behind.

Luckily, the girl had no training in this ability, and simply ran haphazardly through the forest. Her trail was easy to follow, and after hours of flight she became tired and Ryu had been able to catch her.

Now, they sat still and glared at one another. Ryu took in her features once more, wondering at the beauty hidden behind tangled hair and dirty face. She stared back at him, defiance written all over her. Ryu sensed her fierce spirit, and saw intelligence gleaming back at him from those green eyes. The look she gave him did not have the appearance of one whose mind was gone. She sat still, watching and waiting. Ryu wondered if she had finally realized that there was no getting rid of him. He could only hope…

"Can you understand me?" Ryu asked softly, interrupting the palpable silence that had formed about them.

Her eyes latched onto his, then looked away.

"What is your name?" Ryu pressed, certain by her expression that she did understand him, but did not wish to reply. This question, much to Ryu's surprise, caused the girl's head to bow and tears to drop silently onto the grass beneath her. The anguish Ryu had seen earlier reappeared. Then she spoke, her voice hoarse.

"Kagome… is my name. But when I try… to think of who I am, what I am, the pain stops me. I go into a rage and can't stop myself… I know there are people who care for me, but I can't see their faces." She clenched her fists and brought her gaze back up. Her eyes shone with yet more tears, and Ryu felt the need to comfort her. He forgot about the trouble that she had caused him, and only saw a young girl in pain and in need of help.

"Kagome, my name is Ryu. I am taking you to someone who can help you. His name is Haburi, and he is a tiger demon, like you. He is a good man, although he does not always show it. I am sure the reason he wants me to bring you to him is to help make you better." Ryu watched her carefully as he spoke, and saw the doubt within her.

"Why should I trust you? That other demon was terrible… I couldn't control my anger or fear while I was with him. How do I know you are any better?"

Ryu grimaced, well aware that the crow demons were not the most pleasant of people. He was sure that Kagome spoke the truth.

"Nothing I can say can convince you. But I have done nothing to harm you in any way, nor have I threatened to. But if you feel that I am a danger to you, feel free to go running through the woods once more, until you collapse. I hate to think of what would find you then. If you stay with me, and stop fighting, you will be safe and going to someone who can help you."

Kagome scowled deeply, and glared into the gathering darkness. Ryu took that as an acquiescence, albeit a grudging one. He pulled his traveling pack off of his shoulders, and dug out some dried meat and riceballs. He offered some to Kagome, and was mildly amused when she quickly snatched it up. She gobbled the food down eagerly, and drank down the sake he offered. Her cheeks flushed, she sat back and sighed.

"I guess I'll go with you," she muttered, then curled up and went right to sleep.

"Guess that settles that," Ryu muttered, and finished his meal in silence.

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Meanwhile…

Sango and Miroku sat quietly, a small fire between them. Kirara and Shippou were curled up together and sleeping.

"Do you think Inuyasha is having better luck?," Sango asked, looking out into the darkness of the forest. The worry she felt for her friend was like a tight band around her chest. The way Kagome had run off, she could have ended up anywhere. Alone, with nobody to protect her while going through her strange transition…

"If anyone can find her, it will be Inuyasha. His nose has never failed us before," Miroku said, seeing the worry all over Sango's face. She had not wanted to stop searching, but Kirara had been tired after a day of carrying them over the forest.

"You're right," Sango said, but the uneasiness she felt would not disappear. She knew it wouldn't until she saw Kagome, safe and unharmed.

Suddenly Miroku's arms were around her, and he gently pulled her toward him in an effort to comfort her. Sango's face flushed a bright red, but she accepted the embrace. She tensed, waiting for the wandering hand, and was surprised when it never came. Sometimes, the monk knew when to control himself. Sango returned the embrace, and while Miroku held her, she somehow began to feel better.

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That's it for now folks. See you next time.