Chapter 20

Katame took this time to prepare a meal for the group. She figured that this may be the last opportunity to eat until after they rescued the heir. She made sure that everyone had some and then brought a dish of food to the captive.

He reached for it then pulled his hands back. "I… ah… I don't know if I'm allowed the master didn't say." He looked nervously over toward Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. He wasn't sure which of the brothers he belonged to but neither one had given the command for him to eat and he wasn't going to risk it.

"Don't be silly you must eat. Come on it'll be fine."

"Katame!" Sesshoumaru's voice was harsh. "Come here now!"

She pushed the bowl into the frightened demon's hands and went off to her lord and husband.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Sesshoumaru glared at the girl.

Katame looked up at her husband's eyes they were turning red. She started to cry.

Something twinged in the demon lord. His face softened. He took his wife in his hands and pulled her close. He pushed her hands down away from her face. She flinched. He groaned inside. He had frightened the girl. He wasn't going to hurt her but he was angry with her for treating that retch with kindness. This was war and he shouldn't even be alive let alone fed.

He brushed the hair from her face. It had stuck where her tears had stained her cheeks. "I wont hurt you my Katame." He spoke softly to her.

"How can you be so mean? He did what you wanted. He can't hurt you. I was just giving him some food. He didn't even want to take it because you didn't say he could. Does that sound like someone who is looking to escape?" She was shaking. "I don't care if you … if you beat me. But I can't be mean. I just can't."

"I don't expect it little one." He hugged her tightly. "And I'm not going to punish you. But you must remember, if he gets a chance he will break away and run to his master and we have to expect that and give him no chances. You do understand little one? I shouldn't allow him to even live let alone take him with us."

"Can you send him away? Sango could fly him on Kylala and…" She was stopped mid sentence by Sesshoumaru.

"No. I will keep him at my side. When this is done I will give him to Inuyasha to keep. Until then you are to be careful around him. Understand?"

Katame just nodded.

Later that day…

The group arrived at the entrance to the escape tunnel. Sesshoumaru sniffed around. He was puzzled by something. He grabbed Hutu by the throat. What is going on? Why aren't there any guards?

"There never are any guards, lord. It's a secret entrance only a handful of the master's servants even know of its existence. The master doesn't post any guards here because he feels it would draw attention to it. It's there lord. He had it disguised as a dry well. There would normally be two guards inside at the end of the tunnel, which leads into the lower barracks on the west side of the fortress, but now with so few left I'm not sure if they will be there.

"Hutu, are you well known?"

"Yes sire, I am one of the chiefs of the guard. That's why I know of the tunnel."

"If there are any guards I want you to address them as you would if you were returning with news of our defeat. Understood?" Sesshoumaru called to his nephew Sugumi. "Come boy throw your darts at the tree over here."

Yes uncle Sesshoumaru." Sugumi threw a handful of his dagger-like darts at the tree in question. They hit with a terrible impact.

Sesshoumaru walked his captive over to the tree to inspect the darts. He pulled one out and handed it to the demon. As he did he made sure to cut Hutu's hand. Hutu winced with the pain.

"If you make any move or even hint that you might betray me, these will be in your back and you will be dead before you can scream."

Hutu nodded his head vigorously. "I gave you my word master Sesshoumaru. I wont do anything sire, I promise."

Inside the tunnel…

Inuyasha snuck along the darkened passageway and peeked around the corner. He waved to the others to follow. Silently he rushed toward the single guard and lopped off of his head. Barely a sigh was heard as he crumpled to the ground.

"Alright Hutu it's now time to earn your keep." Inuyasha whispered to the prisoner. "Take us to where they are keeping the heir."

Hutu nodded and motioned for them to follow him. He led them through the maze of tunnels and passageways to the south side of the fortress where he knew the young Mesosuki was being held.

There were two guards at the entrance to the dungeon. Hutu looked to his new master Sesshoumaru. "What do I do, sire?"

"Do as we discussed earlier. Put them at ease and distract them to allow us to get close." Sesshoumaru whispered to Hutu then he dug his claws into Hutu's shoulder. "Be wise and live." Hutu nodded.

Hutu walked up to the guards and announced to the guards. "It's me Hutu. Where is the master? I have news for him concerning the shards."

"He is in his chamber with his prisoner. It's seems that all our tender loving care of the Kai's son has softened the brat. I think he's ready to break. The master has him upstairs for a little one on one chat." The guards laughed at the idea of their master's tender mercies.

Inuyasha cracked his knuckles and growled low. "These guys have to go." Before anyone could stop him he was onto of the guards. To his surprise Hutu killed the one closest to him. Inuyasha easily got rid of the other.

Sesshoumaru came up to Hutu and looked at the bleeding heap on the floor at his feet. "Why?"

"I gave you my word. I will keep it." Hutu bowed slightly. Frankly he thought he would have a better chance of survival fighting with them than against them.

"Don't expect me to trust you. I will still be watching you closely. Remember that." Sesshoumaru turned toward the stairway leading to the upper levels of the fortress. "Come Hutu lead the way to your former master's chamber."

(Short, I know but the next chapter is the last one and I have to create some suspense. Ohhh I'm so mean. LadySesshoumaru41)