***

He came upon a great tree. Sniffing, Inuyasha smelt a demon in the branches. He looked up.

"Tetsusaia."

She smirked and looked at him. Gesturing, she also pointed out the figure of the priest, lying on the ground, bathed in blood. "He was a fool. I ended his foolishness. But I also relieved him of these." She pointed up to a higher branch.

There, writhing, were Kagome, Miroku, and Shippou! They now were gagged, tied back-to-back-to-back and looked at Inuyasha with frightened eyes.

"You said you'd get them free! You said you'd spare us your wrath!"

She laughed a high-pitched, sinister chuckle. "Only if you helped me! I got free on my own!"

Inuyasha stood, blazing, not daring to attack yet. A trio of priests from the temple came into the grove, drawn by the racket. The young priest was with them.

"Oh no! The demon, she has gotten away! Quick, priests, chant!" The three began a spiritual spell.

"Ha! Take me back, and I'll slaughter these three! They're only mortal! No powers, no immortality, no nothing! They are mine! Inuyasha, if you want them back, throw me the Tetsusaiga!"

He was taken aback. How dare she make such demands! But the only way to get the three back unharmed was to do as she wished. He began lifting the sword…

"No! Master demon, if you give her such a thing, she shall kill them nonetheless. You must think your actions!" the priest protested.

"Heh, you're beginning to sound like Miroku up there. But what choice do I have?"

"Master demon, if you give her the sword, she'll be able to remove the-…"

But it was too late. Tetsusaia had swept down, grabbed Inuyasha's sword, and leapt back to the tree branch. Removing the blade from its sheath, she yelled to them, smugly, "Now we'll see which is stronger! The famous Tetsusaiga, or the Jewel of the Mortals!"

Slipping the curved steep between her neck and the chain, she thrust her full weight against the strip of gold holding the Jewel to her. With a resounding snap and a bright light, the chain broke!

Tetsusaia clutched the gem and necklace in her hand. "Well, here's your precious gem! Did you really think it would hold a mighty demon forever?!" She threw it down to one of the priests' feet.

"Oh no…oh dear! She-she's free!" he moaned.