Disclaimer: ::sighs:: Don't remind me. . .

Author's Note: Hey hey! What's up? Not much over here- but it's amazing how many tests my teachers seem to insist on having per week. - So I'm sorry how long it took to update! T-T

Ah well. I'm here now! XD

Anyway, as I'm sure most of you have realized, (for it's sort of hard to miss), I've decided to start posting on again. Why? Few reasons, actually-

One, because I missed it. Well, not the whole fics-getting-deleted thing, but I did miss the set up and the smooth running of the site.

Two, because it turns out the mm . org is also going on a fic raid. And, while it is not for any type of fic that I have to worry about (Chose You Own Adventure fics), it's the principle of the thing, you know?

Three, because ff . net is easier for you guys. I've had a lot of people report trouble finding fics and reviewing, and I hate having annoyed readers. ::sweatdrops:: (-;

Four- because just about everyone told me to. ::laughs:: Sorry I didn't reply to all of your e-mails personally, guys- I usually do, but I've been really busy this week. T-T This chapter is dedicated to all of those who sent me their opinions!


Anyway, that's about it. XD Please enjoy and R&R!

((. . . My cat is having a battle with a roll of duck tape. . .

And I think the duct tape is winning.))

x STARDUST

x

"He who wishes to be rich in a day will be hanged in a year." Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

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CHAPTER FIVE: MASTER

x

There's a day in everyone's life when they wake up, from no matter how deep or shallow of a slumber, and just know that the next 24 hours are going to be like a merry stroll through hell. In fact, one usually experiences this sort of phenomenon many, many times.

But the feeling Miroku received when his heavy eyelids managed to pry themselves apart put all other experiences to shame.

"Wha. . . - - -Ugh!" he groaned, grimacing as his forehead gave a nauseating throb, sending a spasm of pain through his body. God, it felt like he'd been stabbed in the temple or something. . . Or punched.

Punched. . .

Yes, it must have been punched, seeing as how he wasn't bleeding. All the same, it hurt like- - -

"Mphphmghpmp!"

'. . . ?' "Hm?!" the dark haired man blinked rapidly, trying to sit up and look around. That voice. . . It was familiar. . . Sango?! He stiffened, violet eyes widening as his blurry vision cleared. It was Sango. . .

And she was bound. Tied tightly with a white cloth- gag in mouth- to a long, blood stained, thick, wooden slab- neck and hands subdued by rope as she glared heatedly at her husband; hopping anxiously from one foot to the next as best as she could. It must have been painful, seeing as how her whole body made a sharp right angle.

Actually, he knew it was painful- seeing as he was subdued by the same devices (except, for some reason, the gag), perhaps half a foot away from his wife. He blinked again as he noticed this, drawing a blank. What was going on. . . ? Why was that crowd gathering. . . ?

And what the hell was up with those burly swordsmen leering down at them?!

x

He needed some sort of plan- a strategy of attack. But what? Run in screaming? Chuck junk at the executioners? Create a distraction? He sighed, a droplet of sweat dribbling down his face as he peaked out from behind a line of wash, hidden in a shadowy ally way. The perfect hiding place, if he did say so himself. The red and white stripped rugs drying in the sun matched his maroon outfit and silver locks almost perfectly (though the design didn't really blend well, now that he thought about it), and he was positioned in such a clever way that he could observe the gathering without being seen or sun burnt. (Or stabbed by a pitchfork, if it came to that.)

Now if only he could come up with a way to save his friends!

Inu-Yasha moaned weakly into his hands before running his fingers through his unnaturally pale locks, tugging them in frustration. "Dammit!" he cursed to himself, noting the sun's sinking position in the sky. The death of Sango and Miroku was scheduled to take place when the sun was at the three-quarters point in the heavens- and judging by its current position, it appeared he only had thirty minutes left. Dammit! Life is certainly a bitch. . .

And speaking of bitches- - - where was Kagome?

x

Stupid. . . ignorant. . . pig-headed. . . !

The ebony haired beauty fumed heatedly as she stalked through the busy streets of the bazaar, ignoring the lustful looks of passing men as her practically naked body stormed by. 'What a moron!' she snarled mentally, a tear of frustration leaking down her cheek as her pouty lips stuck out in annoyance. 'How can he be so dense?! Even my stupidest of past masters had gotten a clue by now!'

Crossing her arms and finding a place to seat her rear- the closest being a strange, open-air bakery with tables and wooden chairs that sat exposed near the edge of the street- the genie (of sorts) plopped down in a huff, crossing one leg over the other and jiggling her foot. Stupid Master! Stupid, stupid master! Hadn't he been able to read the signs yet?! Wasn't she being obvious enough?! She had tried to- - -

To. . .

'Oh. . . Who am I trying to kid?!'

She deflated instantly, slouching down onto the table top with hooded, wistful eyes. No. . . She hadn't tried. . . She couldn't try unless he wi- - - desired it. And he didn't seem to want to comprehend what was happening. He wanted to believe that his petty wants would do them all some good.

Silly fool. . .

But. . .

She could sympathize.

Sighing softly, Kagome turned her glassy pools towards the street, pushing a lock of glossy hair out of her face as she watched a group of gabby lovers pass by, giggling and blushing and teasing and- - - !

She turned away, hating the all-too-familiar feeling that was prodding her painfully in the heart. 'No. . . I will not feel THAT today. . . No!'

Too late.

Kag groaned half-heartedly as she felt a surge of power course through her veins- like subtle knives that attacked her every cell. Not that she paid the sensation much heed. When this sort of feeling passes through your soul at least once a day, you grow a bit used to it. . . But Master Inu-Yasha and his friends were going to be paying later, unless he caught on.

". . ."

. . .his friends. . .

She bit her bottom lip, feeling as if a sudden bucket of icy water had been dumped over her head.

"Our lives are finally taking a turn for the better!" Sango squealed, hoping up and down once before rushing over and embracing Kagome, almost crying with happiness. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

"Ah- - -!"The magical one seemed surprised by this sudden display of affection- but as quickly as the shock had come it faded away and was replaced by a guilty grin. Nodding nervously, Kag began tentatively patting the older female's back, looking unsure. "Uh. . . no problem?" Miroku just smiled before gently tugging his wife away- seeing as how it appeared she was suffocating the girl.

Her eyes snapped open, her curved spine straightening almost instantly. FRIENDS. HIS friends! Perhaps even her own. . . ? 'Sango- Miroku. . . !' They were going to die in a mere fifteen minutes- - - ! What could she- - - ?!

And once again, her shoulders slumped. Nothing. There was nothing she could do.

Nothing that would help, anyway. Her magic- if one could call it that- would do them no good. 'If only Master would realize that!' But he hadn't yet- so she couldn't return to him until he had saved them himself. (If he could. . .)

Still, she wanted to help SOME way. . . !

Nibbling on her thumb in thought, the young woman gradually began to notice the young horse tied to a near by well; pacing impatiently as it waited for a master to return.

Hmm. . .

x

The situation looked dire, that was for sure. And it was probably more dire than they'd like to believe. Sango and Miroku gulped softly as the chatty crowed suddenly fell silent, a hush echoing through the city center.

They were running out of time. . .

"Mghep sdhem Inewjash?" Sango spat out as best she could, twisting her head painfully; trying to look in all directions.

"I don't know. . ." Miroku replied gravely, brow furrowing. 'But we could sure use his help right now!'

x

That was it. He had no plans, no ideas. It was rock-bottom hopeless.

Inu-Yasha ran a tired, pasty hand over his face, a sick sort of churning taking hold of his insides as he pulled the drying carpet closer to him. No- he couldn't think like that! He NEEDED to save them- they were his only friends! His only family! (Well, apart from his stupid half-brother. But he didn't count.) He couldn't just give up on them. . .

They'd never given up on him.

'Ugh, I sound like a sappy imbecile!' he mentally grumbled, hands moving up to fiddle with the knot underneath his chin- the sheen of red material that was covering his ears.

Ears. . .

Wait. . . His ears! The hanyou straightened a bit, staring blankly at the wall as things began to rapidly click in his mind: Ears half-dog new powers a chance to save them (with or without a stupid plan)!

And suddenly, a low, raspy chuckle escaped him- his eyes flashing blood red as a smirk pulled on his lips, the loosened veil falling off without notice. 'Heh heh heh. . . hold on to your heads, Sango- Miroku. Here I come. . .'

x

'Pandemonium' was too light of a word. All around them children were screeching, animals whining with fright- a few buildings crackling as fire overtook them. Her eyes widened in horror as she noticed their executioner- lying on the ground beside them with a fatal wound tearing down his chest; freely bleeding as he died an agonizing death. Her stomach knotted dangerously, bile building in the back of her throat. . .

"Sango! Hurry up!" Miroku hissed from near her ear, yanking off his own sliced bindings as the crowd around them ran frantically for cover, screaming in fright. Inu-Yasha bounded around the townsfolk, cackling in sick delight as he leapt higher and higher, only to come crashing down within their little panic groups with so much force that they toppled painfully to the ground- Inu snickering at their fear. "Run!" he taunted- his voice soft, and yet, so loud. "Flee! Suffer and beg like you made me do!"

Inu-Yasha. . .

"Sango- snap out of it and hurry!" her husband's begging voice sounded from beside her, his hands finding her shoulders and giving her a shake. "We have to get out of here- look over there!"

With timid eyes, Sango did so- only to find that a group of the royal soldiers were marching into view, the clanking and clatter of their weapons audible even over the loud cries of 'It's Inu-Yasha!' 'Devil! Demon! Ogre!' and 'The ears- - -! Look at those horrid ears!'

It was almost too much. . . !

BAM!

The married pair winced as Inu-Yasha landed powerfully next to them, making their raised platform wince.

"C'mon you two! What the hell are you waiting for?!" he growled, as if deaf to the sobs around them. Had he really been that angry inside?

Miroku and Sango exchanged worried glances, trying to ignore the smell of burning ash and bleeding mortals. "Inu-Yasha," the woman then asked, trying to collect herself, "how are we supposed to get out of here?!" She motioned frantically to the hordes of people, the flaming carts, and the approaching army. The hanyou's frown deepened as he cracked his knuckles.

"Maybe I should move them out of the way. . . ?" he suggested. But before his friends could stop him- before he had even bent his knees to jump- a voice stopped them.

"Master! Master Inu-Yasha!"

Sango blinked in surprise as all three of them froze.

"- - -?! Kagome- - - ?!" Inu gaped, shocked- hand still poised to strike but suddenly still.

Indeed it was. The friends whirled around in surprise to see the genie on the horizon, standing atop of a saddled steed and waving frantically for them to come. Billows of smoke tickled her body as she bounced gracefully on top of the horse- before tugging smartly on its reigns.

The creature bolted off like a dark bullet, barreling through the soldiers and crowds without a thought, before skidding to a halt in front of the half-demon and his companions. Kagome leapt onto the platform with them before gently pushing Sango and Miroku towards the horse. "Come on, hurry!" she urged, oblivious to their surprised and slightly surprised faces. "HURRY!"

". . . Where the hell did you come from?" Inu blinked as his friends made themselves as comfortable as possible on the saddle: Sango in front and Miroku behind, clutching the reins as he held his wife in place.

"No ti- - - eeeeeeem!" the magical teenager began swiftly, squeaking in surprise as her master quickly swept her into his arms; jumping ten feet into the sky- just making it out of the way as a large charred beam landed where they had stood; the horse rearing back on its hind legs. "A- all right! Let's go!"

"Couldn't agree more!" Miroku muttered as he yanked on the reigns, charging the steed foreword and through the screaming throng- Inu-Yasha and Kagome at his side.

"GET THEM!" an army general roared, pointing his huge sword towards the group- his braided black hair waving in the wind as they galloped off into the sunset. "I WANT THEM DEAD OR ALIVE!"

x

For the second time in a day, the hanyou had run away. The mere thought of this made his stomach turn in disgust, but it was true. Inu-Yasha grumbled darkly under his breath as he came to a slow stop in the middle of a small desert oasis, dropping Kagome unceremoniously under a palm tree as Sango and Miroku tied the horse near a tiny pool of turquoise water.

'Ah well. . .' he sighed, dropping himself upon the mossy-green ground and flopping backwards, peering through the leafy canopy above them and at the pitch black sky. The moon was enough to light their hide away tonight, but all the same- it left him feeling rather empty. Stars were harder to see when the moon shone. . .

Silence reined over the four for a few long moments. Sango nervously rubbed her abdomen (as she often did when worried), Miroku sat thoughtfully on a stone, and Kagome rested in another one of her strange, flexible positions near the base of a tree- her ankles crossed and her knees near her chin- hands linked on the ground before her. Then:

". . .Where are we?" the eldest man asked, running a hand through his hair with a sigh. "It can't be too far from the city."

"It's not," Kag confirmed, squinting through the darkness at the heavens, as if trying to read a map. "We're only a few miles away. It won't take them long to find us."

"Well, then, we have to keep moving," Sango frowned, kneeling next to her husband and resting her head against his thigh, looking a little pale. This sort of stress wasn't good for her or the baby. . . Miroku's eyes darkened slightly at the thought as he began to lovingly smooth his wife's hair, trying to calm her. "They won't let us back into the city anymore- they barely allowed us there in the first place!"

"Mmm," Inu-Yasha agreed syllabically, stroking an imaginary beard once or twice before quickly sitting up, crossing his arms and legs in his usual stubborn fashion. "We'll have to live in the desert."

A cricket chirped.

"How about. . . no?" Miroku retorted dryly, answering for everyone at once. The half-demon growled and bared his fangs, irritated as his friend's gibing tone.

"Well, then- where do YOU suggest we go, idiot?!"

"I- - -!"

"Hey- let's not fight!" the chestnut-haired woman sighed wearily. "We can't afford any petty disagreements right now!" She turned towards the silent Kag and smiled slightly, as if trying to keep things cheerful. "Isn't that right, Kagome?"

The girl tried to grin back, but failed miserably- her expression only growing more withdrawn and cold. "I am sorry- but I am not allowed to answer to anyone but my master," she answered in a mechanical tone, pulling her hands to her knees and hugging her legs close.

Inu-Yasha rolled his eyes as Sango's demeanor dropped slightly. "Oh- Come ON, Kagome. You can answer her simple little question, can't you? I don't have to WISH for you to talk to us, do I?"

Kag glanced at the boy from the corner of her eye, face as blank as a statues'. ". . . I am sorry.

I am not allowed to answer to anyone but my master."

?! Wasn't Inu-Yasha- - - ?! The three blinked, confusion etched all over their faces- - - until Inu's eyes widened. "Uh- guys. . . ?" he gulped, patting his pockets in dismay. "Does anyone happen to have the lamp?"

But before anyone else could answer, Kagome vanished in a sudden display of sweet smelling maroon smoke.

x

A lot of people have been mentioning that, though Inu-Yasha is not out-of-characterly dense (if that's even a phrase), he is sort of contradicting his previous fears of the lamp. While I applaud your perceptiveness, I need to point out that Inu-Yasha wasn't afraid of the outcome of his wishes, he was just skeptical about wishes being granted in general. ::smiles and sweat drops:: Gomen ne if I've confused you. . . But it'll all be clear soon. XD

On a side note: Who here thinks that the music to 'Laputa: Castle in the Sky' is some of the best anime music ever? XD ::hums the theme::

XD Thanks for reading! Please R&R!

Ja ne!