Golden Fire
Chapter 12: Prisoner

I shut my eyes, simultaneously trying to listen for the intruder and wishing it would go away. In my mind, I felt Yuki's vigilance.

"Kagome?" That was Sango's voice. For a happy second, I thought that the stranger was actually my best friend. Then I realized that she was next to me, awake and just as scared. We found each other's hands in the dark and prayed the prowler would pass us by.

For once, I would like my prayers to be answered.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my ankle and pulled me roughly toward them. "Inuyasha!" I screamed, vaguely aware that I could hear someone else screaming on the other side of the castle. An arm wrapped around my waist and I was dragged up. My voice woke up the entire room of youkai women, but they just sat in the dark silently, watching with glowing eyes.

"Kagome!" cried Sango. She rushed towards me, her outline barely visible in the dark. Kikyo stood up and moved forward as well.

My attacker raised his hand and a green cloud shot out of it towards them. I stared at them as the mist enveloped their bodies. There was a moment where everyone held their breath. Sango met my eyes and I watched in horror as she and Kikyo collapsed and began to scream in agony. Again, I heard a scream from across the palace.

The monster dragged me out into the hall. The shock of seeing Sango and Kikyo hurt was shaken off and I began to thrash. "Inuyasha! Inuyasha! Help me!"

A strong hand clapped over my mouth. "Shut up, you disgusting girl."

I twisted and looked at the creature's face. It was Yama. No surprise there. I clawed at his arms and tried to scream through his hand. He ignored it when I bit him. I felt my jeans and sweater take the place of my yukata. The illusion had slipped away. Something had happened to Yuki. Her presence in my mind was erratic.

Then, hope rose inside of me. Footsteps were echoing down the hall behind us. Was it him? Did he finally come to help me? I almost forgot to struggle as I watched, craning my neck to the point of pain.

Yama stopped and turned to meet whoever was approaching. He sniffed the air and smiled. That was probably not a good sign for me.

An enormous human-looking youkai rounded the corner. He had full armor on, but it was bloody and in disrepair. "My Lord Yama," he grumbled, bowing. "The other women slaves are still unconscious but the two male slaves are fighting. They are very strong." The demon paused and fidgeted a bit. It was a strange-looking action for such a terrifying man.

"Well? What is it, you mongrel?"

The demon looked at us. "One of the males. All of a sudden, he changed. He looks and smells different than a human. He smells almost like a youkai."

"Almost?" Yama snarled. "You mean he's a hanyou?"

"I think so, my lord."

An angry yell echoed through the palace. I recognized it as Kouga's war cry. My heart leapt in joy. Inuyasha at least had some help, even if he would resent it. I felt Yama's chest rumbling with a growl against my back. He yanked me off me feet again. "Go and kill those troublemakers!"

"What about Lord Sesshoumaru and his mate?" called back the demon.

Yama stopped cold. "If they get in the way, kill them. The child too. Might as well get the shards with extra land in the bargain." He grinned. "Actually, keep the female alive. She might prove useful later. Just keep them away while I break this one." He shook me for emphasis and began walking away again.

My mind flew to a million things. Break me for what information? He obviously knew that I possessed jewel shards, even though Yuki had worked so hard to disguise their essence. What more could he want from me?

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"I told you already. My masters Sesshoumaru and Yuki collected the shards from demons they killed. We were on our way to find more when Lord Sesshoumaru decided to see if you had any. You don't, so just let me go!" I struggled against the chains Yama had put on my wrists and ankles. From what I could tell, I was deep underneath the palace. Certainly the maid never came down here. I closed my eyes. Yuki kept flickering in and out of my mind and the emotions I could sense were just as frenzied.

"You're lying." He circled me. "I smell deception on you. Besides, your clothes changed after I took you, so I know you are no simple slave. You possess magic. And you have a hanyou with your party. I've been hearing about a hanyou after jewel shards. I've also heard that Sesshoumaru cares nothing for the Shikon no Tama. Tell me what you want here."

I let my head drop. Lies obviously weren't working, but I couldn't exactly ask him if he would please hand over the Orb and then leave us to our business, could I? For all I knew, he could be working for Naraku also. It wouldn't surprise me. This guy was a snake.

Yama put his hand under my chin and forced my head up. "You are a pretty girl. Even for a human. Do you understand what I can have if you help me? You surely bear no love for Sesshoumaru. Help me find the remaining shards and I shall give you anything you want. Come, girl. You know this is what is best for you. I already have what you were wearing around your neck. You must have some power over them, or Sesshoumaru wouldn't let you hold them. Tell me. Help me." He brushed his fingers over my lips and laughed when I shuddered. "You would be rid of Sesshoumaru. You would be in the grace of the most powerful demon alive. Just tell me what he wants here and how to find the rest of the shards."

I lifted my eyes to look into his eyes. "I will not tell you."

His black eyes narrowed and I felt a sting on my cheek. He had slapped me, although I didn't even see him move. "Then you are a fool," he spat. Yama stood and turned away. "I shall be back when I'm done dealing with those idiot companions of yours. If you don't cooperate when I get back, then we'll be having another type of fun, shan't we?" He flexed his claws and walked out.

Sighing, I looked around. There was no way for a human to get out of here. I tested the chains. Hmm, if I had Inuyasha's strength it might work.

"Nice guy, isn't he?" The sarcastic drawl bounced off the walls.

I turned my head to the opposite cell. The gloom seemed to separate to make way for the youkai walking up to the bars. He rested his head against the door and stared into the direction Yama went. "Who are you?" I whispered. His eyes were black like Yama's but they didn't hold any secrets. I could tell right away that he was angry.

The youkai shifted his eyes to me. "You're human."

"You're demon. What's your point?" I wasn't really in the mood to be another youkai's target for insults and cruelty. "And you still haven't answered my first question," I pointed out.

He raised his eyebrow. "My, you are lively. No wonder my brother has spared your life for this long."

"Brother? Yama doesn't have a brother anymore. He died."

"No, he disappeared." He paused and looked thoughtful. "I guess I should say, I disappeared."

I glared at him. "Yeah, right. And I'm a fire cat."

He stepped back and bowed gracefully. "Forgive me. It's been awhile since I've had contact with anyone except the head guard or Yama. I've forgotten my manners. I am Kuri and I am the rightful lord of the Demon City. Instead, my brother tricked me and trapped me in his poison cloud. When I woke up, I was here, in chains that no magic or strength can break." He lifted his hands and I saw the shackles. They were carved with demonic runes and looked exceptionally strong.

"Well I can't say I care for the way your brother runs the place," I commented, rubbing my cheek which now ached from Yama's blow. "I hope you were better."

"I can't really say. I was only on the throne for a few months before I ended up here."

I studied him. He didn't seem to be lying, but Inuyasha would kill me for wondering if I could help him. Kuri could be another trap of Yama or Naraku. "Well, I'm Kagome. I'm here with Lord Sesshoumaru and Lady Yuki."

"So I heard." His eyes traveled down to my throat and I instinctively clutched at the jewel that was no longer there. "Don't worry, Kagome. I have no desire for the jewel. I'm happy with how my life would be if my brother were dead. That is the only desire I have in life."

"What is it with you brothers wanting to kill each other?" I muttered.

"Excuse me?" Kuri paused. "Oh yes. I remember hearing of Sesshoumaru's wish to kill his hanyou brother. Experienced it yourself, have you?" He leaned against the slimy stone wall and watched me with curious eyes.

"No. Yes. Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything."

"Yes, well, we're different than Sesshoumaru and his brother. Yama has no desire to kill me. Then I would actually be at peace. He would never want me to be happy in death. That, and he doesn't have the guts to do it himself." He straightened and looked intent for a moment, then relaxed. "I think your friends are coming."

A few minutes later I heard my name being called. "Inuyasha?" I yelled, ignoring Kuri covering his sensitive ears. "Inuyasha! I'm here! Inuyasha!"

"Kagome!" Inuyasha rounded the corner and ran up to my cell without a glance to Kuri. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He reached through the bars and touched my cheek lightly, frowning when I hissed. It was black and blue. "I'll kill him."

Miroku came into view with a huge grin, but stopped when he saw Kuri.

Inuyasha tore the door off its hinges and made equally quick work of my shackles. "Can you walk on your own?" he asked. I nodded and he led me out of the cell. He stopped when he saw Miroku staring at Kuri. "Who the hell are you?"

"This is Kuri, Inuyasha," I explained. "He's Yama's older brother. He never died. He's been down here the entire time. We should help him, Inuyasha."

The hanyou grunted in disapproval but walked to Kuri's door and tried to remove it. It wouldn't budge.

"Yama had a special cell and shackles made for me," Kuri said. "You cannot release me without the keys. Yama and the head guard have the only two sets."

"You mean these?" Miroku held out ornate keys.

"Where'd you get those?" I asked.

"I thought they might open your cell, Lady Kagome. So I grabbed them from the body of that rather large fellow." He went to the cell and unlocked it and Kuri's chains.

"Good," said Inuyasha. "Now we can go kill your brother."

I frowned and turned to him. "Where's Sango and Kikyo? They're okay, right?"

Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, that cloud stayed around for quite a bit, but they woke up soon after it disappeared. They're still not up to their usual strength, so they went with Kirara to look for Shippou, Sesshoumaru and Yuki."

"You mean they weren't with you? And where's Kouga and the clan?" I started to feel panicky, especially when I realized that Yuki hadn't been present in my mind for awhile now.

"Yeah, tell me about it. The wench has my Tetsusaiga."

"Inuyasha, sit!" I stared down at him as Miroku smirked and Kuri looked on in amazement.

"Ow! Jeez, that doesn't mean I'm not worried about the kit too."

"Let's go, Lady Kagome. We're just wasting time here." Miroku started to walk away with Kuri following.

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"Oh, thank the gods. Fresh air," Kuri said, taking a big breath when we got out of the dungeon.

We started walking towards Sesshoumaru's room. There weren't any sounds of battle now, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I just hoped that everyone was okay.

We saw that the door was ripped down and quickened our pace. I peeked in.

"Kagome! You're okay!" Shippou launched himself into my arms. He was back in his normal form.

"Shippou! It's so good to see you." I hugged him tightly.

"But Kagome, something's wrong with Yuki!" He pointed to the other side of the room.

Sesshoumaru was kneeling next to Yuki, who was unconscious against the wall.

"What happened?" I rushed over.

"She shall be fine. She had a shock when you, the exterminator and the other miko were all hurt within a few seconds, and then when the half-breed and the monk were fighting." He looked at me. "You were linked to her and she felt your terror and pain, but she still tried to hold on and keep your disguises. She failed."

I glared at him. "It's not her fault."

"Did I say it was?" he pointed out. "She is waking as we speak."

"With one hell of a headache," Yuki moaned, clutching her head. She opened her eyes slowly and turned to me. "Kagome, where is the jewel?"

Inuyasha growled. "Yama has it?!"

"Um, yes?" I tried curling myself into a ball to avoid his angry gaze.

Several sighs of exasperation filled the room.