Author's Notes: In response to a couple of confused reviews, I'm putting this up here. Now, before you read this, to help clear things up, here's what I want you to do. Read the title of the story out loud a couple of times, then think. It'll come to you. And now, the moment you've been waiting for. You can scroll down now. (Oh, and Vad, good point about necklace…I kinda just came up with it, so…)

Korosu was perched on the highest branch of a tree that stood just at the edge of the forest. He blinked once, looking off into the rising sun. Usually if he had the opportunity, he'd take the time to appreciate something like this, but his thoughts were clouded on that particular sunrise. He couldn't stop thinking about that voice that kept calling out to him, almost begging him to follow it into the forest.

I must be going mad…he thought, looking down at the cut in his palm, watching a drop of blood as it rolled down his wrist. He stared off into space for a moment, then back up at the trees. It can't hurt to see what's there, he thought. Hesitant for a moment, he stood, then leapt from the tree. He took a few steps forward, looking left to right. He took one last step, then bounded off into the woods, stealthily dodging every tree in his way.

He weaved through the forest like this for five or six minutes, moving at an incredible pace. He stopped short as the wind brought him the scent of a human woman, along with a bit of blood. That's interesting…he mused, sniffing the air again. He could really smell it off to the west. That same feeling he had been having was especially strong, as he thought about what he might find, and painful memories began to arise in him. He turned to the west, and in a few quick bounds, he found the young woman lying on the ground, eyes shut, knees bloody, hair strewn about under her.

He didn't recognize her face; not that he should. One thing he prided himself on was that he didn't interact with humans as some demons did. He smirked slightly, then looked her over again.

Nothing special…and to think, I believed…he stopped his thought as his eyes fell upon the red jewel that hung around her neck, broken on one edge. Astonishment filled his eyes as he took a few steps closer and knelt down next to her, reaching a hand out to the stone.

He picked it up between his fingers, running one down the jagged edge, and immediately taking it for the mate to the stone he wore. "How in all the hells did you get this, girl?" he murmured, bewilderment evident in his voice. He stared at her face for a moment, traces his finger along her cheek. There was absolutely nothing familiar about her, but for some reason that gem was in her possession.

As he pulled his hand away, the young woman began to regain conciousness, and when she did, she gazed up at him, eyes surprised and frightened, and let out a ear-shattering scream…

----

Inuyasha ran quickly through the trees, Kagome on his back and Miroku only a few steps behind. They were all no doubt worried about Sango, but Inuyasha had even more reason. He had picked up the scent of her blood, and although it was only a small amount that he could smell, it greatly concerned him, because he also could smell a demon nearby, both scents coming from the same direction, carried by the same wind. He gave a frustrated growl, only catching Kagome's attention.

"Inuyasha…is everything okay? I mean…well…you seem more stressed then you usually would be…" she said softly. He nodded a little, forcing a small smile.

"Yeah…everything's as good as it could be…" he said in reply. He tried to play down on the minute hints he was involuntarily dropping about the danger Sango was in, but that only made the situation more obvious as his shoulders tensed up. Kagome furrowed her brow.

"Inuyasha…what is it? I know there's something your not telling me…" she said with force, trying to keep her voice low enough so Miroku wouldn't overhear them. Inuyasha looked up at her, his expression slightly more stern then it had been before.

"There's nothing I'm hiding from you," he assured her. Kagome looked away for a moment, thinking that maybe she was being overprotective, when they all heard a blood-curdling cry, one that you didn't need a dog's ears to hear.

All their eyes widened and they all stopped short, as Kagome gave her husband a powerful, but brief, glare.

"C'mon…we gotta get to Sango…" Inuyasha said, walking over and giving Miroku the opportunity to climb on his back. Kagome shifted over, but he shook his head.

"I can sense the demon's aura…I'll go one route, you and Kagome go the other," he said. Inuyasha just glared at him.

"Dammit monk, it'll be faster this way!" Inuyasha hissed, grabbing his arm. Miroku looked slightly angered, but he agreed to do things Inuyasha's way without putting up anymore protest.

----

Sango scrunched her eyes together as the white light faded. She groaned softly, then began to slowly open her eyes. At first, she could see only blurry, shapeless colors, but she knew there was someone looking down at her. As her vision cleared, she saw a man with bright red hair, staring right back at her. She immediately could feel the aura of a demon, and see a demon's features on the man watching her. She let out a loud screech in surprise, and amazingly, he took a few steps back.

As if compelled by her will to survive, she instantly stood, and in one fluid movement, picked up a large, fallen tree branch, hurling it straight at him. He leapt out of the way of serious injury, though part of his pant leg was torn. He glared at her for a moment, as Sango simply tried to remember where she had learned to fight as such.

Sango took a few fearful steps back, staring at the demon the whole time. She couldn't remember how to fight; something from her past had reared its head in that one moment and had saved her temporarily, but she was beginning the think that she had only angered the demon. She clenched a fist as another thought came to her. A demon with a human form is much more powerful… She bit her lip, still looking at the demon. She looked directly into his eyes with a bravery she didn't even know she had. Inside, she was shaking, but on the outside she had the demeanor of a true warrior, though she only wanted someone to come and rescue her. Sesshomaru…she thought sadly. She inhaled loudly, biting her lip so hard she drew blood. Someone…anyone…please help me!

----

Korosu smirked a little as Sango defended herself. He could just smell the fear pouring from her, and the blood from her lip.

"You know…" he started, his tone sadistically, "Worrying like this will give you the most awful wrinkles…" He gave a wicked smile, delighting in the way the comment made the girl in front of him squirm. Well…he thought, She may not be what I was looking for, but she certainly is putting me back in a good mood…

He frowned a little, his eyes once again wandering to her necklace. "Tell me, my pretty little thing…where did you come across an amulet like the one you wear? I'd just love to know…" he said, his tone devilish. He watched as she took another scared step back.

"N-no!" she hissed, wrapping a finger around the blood red gem. He smiled. Apparently she hadn't noticed that he was wearing its mate.

"Aww…you poor little thing…I didn't mean to frighten you. Would you be more comfortable if I introduced myself?"

----

Sango wondered why he would want to know where she had gotten the necklace Sesshomaru had given her. He's only trying to toy with me…there's no way that's a serious question…she thought. She placed a finger on the jewel, listening as he spoke again.

"Aww…you poor little thing…I didn't mean to frighten you. Would you be more comfortable is I introduced myself?" he asked. She hated his voice. She hated the way he spoke, the mannerisms and tone that got into her mind and made her even more afraid. He was either crazy or a genius, but both ways, he gave Sango that strong feeling in her chest. Could it be that he's…Korosu?

"Go ahead…introduce yourself…" she replied, scowling. Even though she knew that he oculd sense the fear on her, Sango tried as hard as she could to be brave. Maybe if she convinced herself that she could fight him off until Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kagome got there, she would be able to…or at least be able to keep the demon busy until then.

He smirked. "I am Korosu, killer-for-hire…one of the best in the business I might add. Though I don't really think a human would know that…but might I know the name of such an exquisite example of human deliciousness…? Oh, excuse me…calling someone delicious isn't the wisest idea when they've got it in their heads that you really are going to eat them…"

Sango's eyes grew wide, her mouth gaped open. "You…you're the one…you killed my Sesshomaru-kun!!!" she shouted. Korosu looked taken aback by the mention of Sesshomaru's name, but there was no time for him to say anything, as he narrowly dodged a mighty sweep of Inuyasha's Tessaiga…