Chapter Seven-Inuyasha to the Rescue
"Well, here's her stuff…" Sango said, as she studied the camping equipment. "I recognize the bed roll."
"She was here for sure." Shippou agreeded,holding up a piece of kimono. "She struggled with Kagura."
"I've never known her to go quietly with someone she didn't trust." Inuyasha muttered. He picked up a sword, in wonder. "Seems Sesshoumaru's taught her how to fight. Or at least he tried to."
"Well, that's good then. He was trying to prepare her for a life on her own." Kagome commented. The girl was worried though. As much as she wanted to believe Saraku was okay, there was only a slim chance….a very slim chance, that Naraku would've let her live. "We should keep going."
"Kagome's right. I think they went that way." Miroku was carrying a sleeping Chibi wrapped up in his robes. Sango had needed a break, so he'd offered to carry his daughter for a while. When he spoke, the tiny infant made sleeping noises, and then settled down again.
"I think so too." Sango was carrying her weapon on her back, as if she'd never been pregnant at all. Her determination to find the young girl was fueled by the hate she felt for Naraku. He'd tricked Sango, then turned her own brother against her. The demon exterminator was not willing to let him do the same thing to young Sara. "We're wasting time. Let us go."
The rest of the group gave unanimous nods, before following the couple down a dark dirt path.
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Saraku wasn't too far from the very spot her friend's had been searching. Her captor had actually been watching them. The girl, however, made not a sound. Unlike Kouga, Kagura terrified her. She sat silently, trembling on the branch Kagura had left her on. She listened, heartbroken, while Inuyasha and his group talked about her, and Sesshoumaru. She was very tempted to call out, but a warning glance from Kagura advised her against it. Kagura came back to her now, and spoke sharply.
"You stay silent, little girl. Do you understand me?"
"Y-yes…." She swallowed hard, as Kagura climbed down, heading towards the group. She moved closer to the edge of the branch, to listen to what her captor would say.
"Well well…if it isn't Inuyasha." Kagura's voice was tinged with evil.
"You!" The hanyou spun around, Tetsusaiga pulled out in one sweeping motion.
"Careful, Inuyasha. I still have your "niece". Saraku! Come."
Inuyasha growled. "Leave her alone, Kagura!"
Kagura snickered as Saraku appeared beside her. She snapped her infamous fans out. "I wouldn't make me angry, Inuyasha. It could cost Saraku her life. How would you like to explain that to your brother?"
"Sara!" Shippou called out in worry. He was perched on Kagome's shoulder. "Kagome, she looks terrible!" The young kitsune glared at Kagura. "You better let her go!"
"Saraku, come here." Sango ordered. "I won't let you use her the way your creator used Kohaku!"
Saraku started for her friends, but Kagura snapped a hand out, grabbing her wrist firmly.
"I don't think so." Kagura told her. "You belong to me now, remember?"
"She doesn't belong to you! She's Sesshoumaru's!" Inuyasha growled, charging at the wind mistress.
"Sara, come on!!" Sango ran forward now, grabbing the child.
"Sango!" Saraku clung to the woman she'd considered to be like a mother to her years ago.
"I hate to break up a reunion, but we should probably save it for later!" Miroku exclaimed, as great clap of thunder was heard. His daughter's eyes popped open, and she began crying in fear of the loud noise. He held her tightly. "Shhh….Father's got you….." He looked to Sango now. "You should take Kilala and get you, Chibi and Saraku out of here."
"Right!" Sango lifted Saraku on to Kilala, and then climbed on herself. She took Chibi into her arms. "Sara, I need you to hold on. I have to hold Chibi."
"Okay, Sango." Saraku was watching Inuyasha fight Kagura. "Be careful, Inuyasha!"
"Careful is not going to help him!" Kagura sneered, taking another shot.
"Just get out of here!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Let's go, Kilala." Sango commanded, and they were off.
Miroku watched them, before unwrapping his cursed hand. He'd attempt to use the wind tunnel to render the incarnation's fans useless.
"What do you think you're doin' ?!" Inuyasha exclaimed, when he realized what Miroku was going to do. "You should be with your mate!"
"I will be. As soon as I know you're safe."
"Then you're wasting your time, monk!" Kagura exclaimed.
"KAGURA!!!!"
The wind mistress whirled, eyes wide. "Lord Naraku….."
"How dare you defy me!!!" The sorcerer did not show his face to the other four, but he was there, just the same. "Do you know what the penalty for your disobedience is?"
"Naraku, you bastard! Show yourself!" Inuyasha exclaimed. He wanted a few shots at the sorcerer too.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you, half-breed?" Naraku's evil chuckle echoed in the clearing. "Another time, perhaps."
In the meantime, Kagura had fallen to her knees, in pain. Naraku was weakening her.
"Inuyasha, let's go! Hurry!" Kagome began to pull him.
"I want to make sure she can't come back after her!"
"Later! Right now, let's go!"
Inuyasha muttered, but complied.
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Once they all returned to Kaede's camp, Inuyasha made the big announcement.
"You're going to live with us now. "
"But, what about Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"If he'd actually been taking care of you, you wouldn't have gotten in that predicament in the first place." Inuyasha practically spat. "He doesn't know how to care for humans."
"Don't say that! He does his best!" Saraku defended her adopted father, her eyes narrowed. "And anyway, if you try to keep me, he'll just come for me anyway."
"We'll see." Inuyasha replied, and said no more on the subject again.
