Hi all. This chapter is TINY, I'm sorry. But the explanation is at the bottom. In this chapter, you meet a mysterious new man who we know little about! Well, a little more, anyway...read on!

Chapter 17: Who Is THAT?

"So that's the story." Tobias took a drag off his cigarette. "A confusing one, rather. So, you were with the psycho bitch until she pinned you to a tree, but you killed her, but she came back anyway, and Kagome is her reincarnation, and...my head is spinning. At least now I know why you wouldn't let me kill her." He flicked his cigarette away.

Kagome stood up. She felt great, which was odd considering she had had a couple of broken ribs not ten minutes ago. She handed the sword back to Tobias, who thanked her quietly and sheathed it.

"You may believe you owe her your life, Inuyasha," Tobias said, staring into the distance. "But I owe her nothing. She shot me three times, and that's not something I'll forget anytime soon." Kagome spoke up.

"I think we should go on. There aren't that many shards left that Naraku doesn't have, and we need to find them before he does." Inuyasha sneered.

"I've been saying that for the last three years and you just now realize it?" He snorted. Inuyasha felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to see Tobias standing next to him.

"Believe me when I tell you, you should be careful around Kagome for the next few days," Tobias said quietly. "After what you did this morning, you would have stood by and let her die? I can guarantee, she's gonna be really upset over that. I wouldn't be surprised if she breaks off from you entirely. So if you want to keep her, you'd better watch it." Tobias walked away and beckoned to Kagome.

"Let's go already. The sooner we find all the shards, the sooner I can get back to my normal life."

Elsewhere...

Naraku paced up and down his room. Just who did this upstart think he was? With his power combined with Inuyasha's, he might have a problem. At this thought, he stopped. No, he thought, I have an advantage as well. He turned and rang a gong.

The double doors opened, and another man walked in. He was dressed very oddly, with clothes that had definitely not come from this era. He wore gray armor, a breastplate with shoulder guards; slightly baggy white pants to his ankles; greaves (A/N: armored boots); and a blue shirt that extended to his elbows. He was very large and very muscular. At his side, a large sword hung in its sheath. He had blue hair and gray eyes.

"You rang, my liege?" he said in a calm voice. He had a pronounced British accent.

"Yes," growled Naraku. "I need you to tell me who that man is who has joined Inuyasha and his group."

"Tobias?" Something flickered in the new man's eyes. "He may seem powerful, but he is nothing compared to you, my liege. With my abilities added to your already formidable power, he and the other will be as nothing." He was cool as steel. "I have faced him before in battle, and let me be the first to inform you that he has fallen before to my sword." He lightly gripped the handle of the sword at his waist.

Naraku stopped pacing. The corners of his mouth turned up into a grin. "Excellent, ah...what did you say your name was?"

"My name is unimportant, my liege. You may simply address me as 'General'. Seeing as how I am your new second-in-command, I thought this title to be appropriate."

"Not so new anymore. You have been in my service for a month today." Naraku turned to face him. "Consider yourself lucky. The spot for my right-hand man is a coveted one among demons. You are the first human to achieve such a rank. Your power is the only reason you even came to be here."

"Indeed, my liege. On the subject of Tobias, rest assured I have forces tracking him as we speak. Coupled with the naturally occurring demons and our golems, I think we have little to fear from him."

Naraku's grin evaporated, to be replaced by a black look. "Our golems? It seems they are ineffective. One of them was already defeated by Inuyasha and his friend."

"As I have informed you...repeatedly before, my liege, it is impossible to create a creature that heals injuries inflicted by fire. Acid is another thing that cannot be-" He was cut off by an angry outburst from Naraku.

"Why is it that the only thing these golems cannot heal from is the one thing that this boy possesses?" he spat. "Rather convenient, isn't it? One might even think you were trying to aid him."

The man sunk to one knee in a gesture of supplication. "I am sorry, my liege, for my grievous oversight. I will increase my efforts." Naraku sneered at him before turning away to pace again. He abruptly stopped and headed for the door. At the door, Naraku turned back to face the man's back.

"I will see to it that you do." With that, Naraku swept out. The man remained on one knee, but his face held the barest traces of a glare.

"My liege, indeed...the weak idiot. I would have his head right now, were it not for him being able to separate the others from Tobias." His eyes glittered strangely. "I have not forgotten, boy. I will find you." He stood up and walked out of the room.

I'M SORRY!!!! Shortest chappie ever at 2 pages...THAT GOL-DANG WRITER'S BLOCK! Whenever I try to focus on what happens next, my mind goes all blank. It sucks. I will put up more, I promise. Oh, and Kai! You're back! *Hugs Kai* I was wondering where you were.

Gimme an R! R!

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