A/N: To my one, loyal reader:

I apologize soooo much for taking my terrible time at updating this forsaken chapter, and then giving you such a short piece of dung to read. I hate myself, but thanks Arpeggio! I love being asked to update. It makes me feel like there's someone in this world who cares about what I write.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA. That said, I'd like to beg you all into not telling that I kidnaped him with my super-human strength and hid him under my bed. "Gerroff, Shippo! Let me go!!" Heh heh, Inuyasha has such a sense of humor. Shippo didn't help. "My butt...." *Shippo crawls back under the bed sulkily* Rrrright. On with the story!

Chapter Four:

Inuyasha tramped through the woods, calling out over and over again one simple word.



"KAGOME!!" He stumbled down an embankment, exhausted after all of his searching. It had taken him a good six hours of running to get where he currently stood– at the burbling source of a hot spring.

::Kagome loved hot springs...:: He thought pathetically. He was exhausted from the two hundred miles he had covered in the short time, and couldn't find even a trace of his Kagome, as he had taken to calling her.

::So what if she cares not for me? She's mine, I claimed her before anyone else, and if anyone says a single thing about it, then I'll cut them to pieces!:: Inuyasha began to undress for a nice, hot bath to soothe his aching muscles, all the while thinking of where Kagome could possibly be. He had just gotten his shirt off when a sharp rustle came from the bushes.

Inuyasha leapt, pulling his hanyou back on and drawing the Tetsusaiga. The simple thought that the thing could have anything to do with Kagome made the sword flash with power, and extend to its full size.

"Who's there!?" Inuyasha shouted, and adjusted his stance, facing a dark and unyielding forest. A flash of white darted past, stopped, and returned.

"Hmmm, little brother. How... good to see you again." A tall demon in full body armor and kimono, his long tail wrapped around his neck stepped into the clearing, his face cool and collected, but his frantic rush evident in the twigs and branches sticking out of his hair.

"Sessomaru! How dare you show hide in this forest?! It is mine to protect, so leave, now!" Inuyasha set the sword in front of him, and searched for the windscar. Locating it with ease, he felt ready to destroy his elder brother with one sweep.

"Please, Inuyasha," Sessomaru's voice was ice, and cut Inuyasha's mind like a knife. "I... have other business to attend to, much more important than that of your own petty needs. I could care less for what you feel like doing." Sessomaru glanced at his fingernails, a look of boredom on his face. "You know you are no match for me, so just lwave and I'll let you live."

Inuyasha stared belligerently at his brother, pure contempt outlined on his features. "Where is she?" Although he said it softly, the menacing air in his tone was enough to make even the elder sibling wonder.

"Who do you speak of, dear brother? You really must make these things clear..." He trailed off, his head shooting up quickly, and panic flooding his face. "I apologize for the abrupt business of leaving you, but Rin is in trouble. I shall kill you later. Fare well, Inuyasha, for your life is mine..."

::That was... odd, to say the least. Normally he'll at least take a swing at me before running off... Oh, well. Gotta find Kagome!::

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Sessomaru dashed through the forest, the screams of Rin still fresh in his mind. His previous plans to seek out food had been forgotten, his mind focused completely on saving Rin. As soon as he scented her he changed direction, sidestepp ing to avoid a tree, then leaping up over a valley. His movements were precise and grace, something he felt proud to hold over Inuyasha. He ran swiftly until he reached a clearing, where Rin stood hovering in the hollow of a tree, a female half-dog standing over her.

"Please, Rin. I won't hurt you, promise. I just... need Sessomaru's help. He'll be able to tell me where I need to go. Please? I'll give you somethin–''

"Leave her!" Sessomaru came down, his whip drawn and aiming for the girl's face. She dodged nimbly, drawing a sword and deflecting his blows in a familiar style.

::Who is this woman? She fights like... like...:: Sessomaru pulled up suddenly, and to his surprise, so did the half-dog.

"Girl. Who are you and why does your fighting techniques so resemble one I know? Who did you learn under? Did he teach you to give in when your opponent brakes? Was it from him that you learned to throw around blind strength? That is of sense to me. This girl you were attacking, she is like my daughter. I'll kill you for bothering her!" He lunged forward violently, shrieking in anger when the girl's blade nicked his shoulder.

"Oh, dear! I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you! In fact, I need your help." The girl let down her sword, and knelt down next to the wounded Sessomaru.

"NO! Leave him alone, you bully! He did nothing to warrant your wounding him, go away!" Rin dashed out, falling next to Sessomaru and pushing away the girl's sword. "LEAVE!"

"But..."

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Kagome stood up and sprinted out of the clearing, sheathing the sword as she went. Smelling her own blood, she looked down and nearly cursed at the blood pooling upon her hanyou.

::Oh, great. Just what I need. This is strong enough to attract all of the demons within thirty miles!:: Kagome stopped, an idea reeling its way through her head. She took out a handkerchief, and wincing, daubed as much of the blood from it as she could. She promptly climbed a tree, and waving the bloody rag through the air, prayed for the best.

::This will result in one of two things. Inuyasha will come to investigate the scent of a female half-dog, in hopes of meeting someone similar to himself, or I'll be run down by a demon horde and left to die. Either way, this might not be good.::

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Twenty-three miles away, Inuyasha lifted his head from the hot spring. The smell of fresh blood was on the slight breeze, and it smelled like dog. Leaping from the spring, he sniffed again. He inhaled the air thoroughly while he dressed, and it wasn't until he had begun fully running did he realize the other hint in the blood.

::That's female, and... part human! Could it be, Kagome?:: Inuyasha moved quicker, the thought of Kagome fresh in his mind.

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A/n: There you have it, all. My crappy, demented paper that now has left you with a cliffy. I promise to try my best to type again soon! The next chapter will be up soo– ACK!! Miroku's escaping, quick, Shippo, after him!!