Hey, I'm back, with the next chapter, no less! Oh my goddess, thank you for the reviews! Over two hundred! I love you all! *Huggles reviewers* I hope that this chapter is worth the wait. Sorry that it took so long, but I've had really bad writers block, plus I'm getting ready to start college *winces*. Like I said, I'm trying to make them longer, okay? I'll go ahead and say the disclaimer here. I don't own Inu Yasha. Inu Yasha is the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I merely write fanfics about them. And now, on with the chapter!

Chapter 6

Kagome woke up early the next morning. She had the intense feeling that something was happening today. Sitting up slowly, she reached a hand beside her to where her lord should be sleeping. Her hand touched cold air. The last vestige of sleep left her immediately. She looked around frantically for him, but he was nowhere in the room. Her heightened senses told her that he hadn't been in there for hours. Standing up, she found a black kimono beside the bed waiting for her. She put it on hastily, and brushed out her hair. She stopped for a moment, to finger the soft little tufts that were her ears, and the long, fluffy tail. She smiled, deciding that she liked them.

"Now to find my lord Sesshoumaru." She said softly, walking out of the room. She walked slowly; still trying to get used to all of the new smells assailing her nose. There were so many! 'I must have been practically dead before. To not smell everything!' she mused to herself. Walking outside, she let her nose guide her to her lord, Sesshoumaru.

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"We're almost there! Come on!" Inu Yasha cried, as he strode towards the fortress. Behind him, Miroku and Sango trudged wearily. Shippou had taken to sitting on Sango's shoulder, holding onto her neck, while they traveled. Inu Yasha would have laughed at the sight, but he remembered how Kagome had used to carry Shippou. The little kit looked like he had lost his mother, and in a way, Inu Yasha figured, he had. Suddenly, he heard Sango gasp. He turned around to study her face." What is it?"

"That's where Sesshoumaru lives?" she gasped, her eyes wide in fascination, and wonder. He smirked and nodded, turning his eyes back towards the forbidden fortress.

"Hai, that's where the rat lives. And we're going to get him, and save Kagome!" he was about to rant some more when Miroku spoke up, his voice soft, and flowing.

"We must figure out a plan of action Inu Yasha. We can't just go barging into Sesshoumaru's fortress; we'd be slaughtered, and then who knows what would happen to Kagome then?" Inu Yasha winced at the thought. He laid his ears back, staring at Miroku intensely for a second before nodding.

"Alright, we scout the area, and form a plan." Miroku and Sango nodded, readily agreeing. Shippou, who was still clinging to Sango's neck, nodded too, a few tears falling down his cheek. He looked sadly at Inu Yasha, and suddenly, without warning, flung himself at him! Inu Yasha, too surprised to react, caught the kit, and held him tightly.

"I…I miss Kagome!" he sobbed, burying his face into the hollow of Inu Yasha's throat, sobbing loudly. Inu Yasha laid his hears back, and pulled the kit down, and stood there, holding him, looking at him.

"Don't worry, Shippou." He said quietly, staring at the kit. "We'll get Kagome back, and she'll be okay." 'I hope' he thought quietly to himself, staring at them sadly. Suddenly, as if snapping out of a trance, he set Shippou down, and stared at the other two. "Make camp here, and well plan what to do next." The others nodded, and went about setting up camp for the night. Sango and Miroku were gathering firewood, when Sango couldn't take it anymore.

"Miroku, do you really think Kagome is okay?" she asked, desperate for an answer that would comfort her. Miroku turned to look at her. His eyes held a deep sadness, as well as uncertainty.

"Truthfully, Sango, I do not know. I hope so, but we all know what Sesshoumaru is capable of. He would do anything to get Tesusaiga. He already knows that Kagome is Inu Yasha's weakness, and knowing him, he will do anything to achieve his ends." Softly, he pulled Sango into his arms, not perversely, but to comfort her. Sango leaned her head against his chest, a few diamond tears trickling out of her large amber eyes. Miroku held her softly.

Don't worry, Sango." He said softly, running a hand through her hair. "We'll get Kagome back, no matter what." Sango nodded, pulling away from him slightly.

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Miroku. You spoke the truth, but still, for some reason, I feel better. Let's get some firewood, and take it back to camp. Perhaps Inu Yasha's caught something for dinner." She laughed, but the laugh sounded slightly forced. Miroku smiled sadly at her, before heading to camp with a large bundle of wood. Sango followed soon after, a similar bundle of wood in her arms as well. High in the treetops above, neither one knew that Inu Yasha had been sitting there, listening to every word they said…

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Sesshoumaru was walking around the courtyard when Kagome caught up with him. He watched her, not smiling, his eyes the only thing that seemed to recognize her. She walked up to him, grinning slightly, ruby eyes glowing slightly. She bowed in front of him.

"My lord Sesshoumaru-sama, I have found you." She looked up at him, smiling. He smirked at her, golden eyes glowing. He tilted his head as he looked at her. She shifted, staring at Sesshoumaru for a moment, before lowering her eyes. She could still feel his cold, golden eyes on her, as if he were undressing her with his eyes. Suddenly he spoke.

"My dear, my pet. How are you this day? Finding your way about the fortress?" he questioned, laying a hand on her cheek, slowly bringing her face up to look at him. She nodded slowly, her ruby eyes transfixed by his golden ones.

"H…hai, my lord. I am well, and I have not gotten lost. Thank you for the kimono." She blushed, looking down again. She could still feel him staring at her.

"That's wonderful, my pet." He said, his voice slightly bemused. Kagome looked up. He was about to say more, when suddenly Jaken came scurrying towards them.

"My lord Sesshoumaru! I have terrible news, my lord!" He gasped, collapsing at his lord's feet. Sesshoumaru snarled silently, before looking at the small demon.

"Yes, Jaken? What is it?" he asked idly, his voice deceptively smooth. Jaken cringed, balling himself up before answering.

"My lord Sesshoumaru! The hanyou disgrace, Inu Yasha, is nearby! He and the humans have traveled here," he slyly cast a look at Kagome "for the girl, no doubt. What should we do?" his jaw dropped wide open when he heard Sesshoumaru chuckle suddenly. Sesshoumaru cast a look at Kagome, who looked deep in thought, before speaking.

"Jaken, you surprise me, you little wretch. You think that that halfbreed is any match for me?" he questioned softly, eyeing the imp. Jaken looked at his master, shaking his head vehemently. He cowered in front of his master, his large yellow eyes impossibly larger. Sesshoumaru smiled suddenly. "Well, inform me when they actually do something, all right? If my little brother wants to get himself killed, then by all means," he held his hands out in a gesture of helplessness, "I would be happy to accommodate him." With that, he turned to Kagome. "Would you like to return to our chamber, my pet." it wasn't really a question. Kagome nodded in agreement, her ears pricking. Sesshoumaru began to walk away, and Kagome followed. Jaken slowly sat up, looking towards the two retreating forms. When they were out of sight, he got up, walking towards the fortress's gates. He muttered to himself as he walked.

"I will save you, my lord Sesshoumaru, indeed I will, that human turned hanyou is no good, she will weaken you. You need a strong, youkai mate, and I will find one for you, my lord. A suitable youkai mate for my lord Sesshoumaru. But only after I get rid of the hanyou bitch, Kagome." He cackled as he walked. Slowly, he headed towards the camp Inu Yasha had set up not far from the fortress…

Don't hurt me! *cowers, hiding from the reviewers* I'm good at cliffhangers, and the new chapter will be out later this month. What can I say? I hate cliffhangers too, but this is where I thought I would end it for now. Please, read and review, and give me some input. Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, telling me what you think. It means so much to me! *grimaces* It might take time updating from time to time, because I start college sometime next week. Wish me luck, I think I'll need it. Well, I will update soon, and I might slip another lemon into it, if everything goes okay. Until then, bye!