Inuyasha would never admit it to anyone in his life, but he was scared out of his skull. This thing had just grabbed him and taken off, and now they were moving at a speed that was way too fast for his liking. Fear was what made him reach up and take hold of the thing's fur, for what if it dropped him? If he hit the ground at this speed, he could very easily be killed, half-demon or not. Hanging onto it gave him some insurance against being dropped and killed.

The sun was just setting when the wolf creature slowed, stopped, and set him down between its paws. Too weak with shaking to even sit up, Inuyasha stretched out on the ground, digging his fingers into the grass, trying to hold on and willing the world to stop rushing by him.

"Are you all right, little man?" the thing asked.

Inuyasha had closed his eyes, but he opened them when he still saw the world flashing by even beneath his eyelids. He stared up at the wolf-beast, wishing he had enough energy to use his claws on it. "I think so," he said weakly. "Where are we going?"

"My mistress has sent for you," it said, taking his coat between his teeth and moving him so that he rested against its side. "We will rest for a while since I could tell you needed a rest from running."

"How can you move that fast?" Inuyasha demanded, still feeling rather strange. "And why do I feel like this?"

"It's not uncommon to feel that way," it said, regarding him with luminous eyes. "Your brother all but fell from my back when we had arrived at my mistress's castle."

"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha said, shocked.

"Yes," it said, giving him a wolfish grin. "He was quite docile after the last few miles, I can tell you. I went as quickly as possible to reach home all the sooner."

Inuyasha mulled this over. "Why has your mistress sent for me?"

"She did not tell me why," the beast said. "All that I was told was that I was to fetch you."

Inuyasha looked at him. He knew that some people pursued demons for spells or to kill them, but beyond that, he couldn't imagine why anyone would want him.

"You are worried?" the creature asked. "Don't be. My mistress is kind."

Inuyasha turned his head to look at him in disbelief. A kind person who ordered kidnappings? Unbelievable.

"You do not believe me," it said. "But do not doubt that she is kind. When we arrive, she will treat you as an honored guest and dear friend. You should have seen the way she treated Sesshomaru when he arrived. It is more likely that she will give you an even better reception when we get there. She was most interested in you."

"How did she find out about me?" Inuyasha asked, making his way shakily to his feet. His knees were practically knocking together.

The beast also rose. "I do not know since she did not tell me. Come now," it said, drawing closer to him. "You may ride on my back now. It will most likely be easier for you than being carried."

Inuyasha would have run then if possible, but with the way he was still shaking all over, it wasn't. The wolf-beast knelt down, making it easier for him to pull himself into place on its back. As soon as he was seated, the beast took off in an easy lope, and Inuyasha stretched himself on his stomach along its back and buried his face in its fur. He was going to be sick, he just knew it. Well, if he was, he could have some sort of revenge on this creature without repercussions.

Space

It was nearing dawn when the wolf slowed, causing Inuyasha to raise his head. Down a hillside, resting in a valley, was a castle that rivaled even Naraku's. It was surrounded by a large wall, but inside the wall he could see gardens and ponds. Was this where they were going?

As the wolf-beast trotted up to the gate, Inuyasha had no more doubts. In a few minutes he was going to meet this creature's mistress.

I hope she's in the mood to meet a grouchy and nauseous half-demon, he thought. Right now, I just want to bite someone with the way I'm feeling.

The gate rose, and his escort went into the courtyard, kneeling so that Inuyasha could get down. He managed, but once his feet touched solid ground his knees buckled, leaving him on the ground again. Strong hands helped him to his feet, and he found himself staring at a young man dressed in white.

"Are you all right, Inuyasha?" he asked, still holding him up.

"Who..." he stammered, looking around for the wolf. "How..."

"This is my other form," the young man said. "It's more convenient to travel through the castle like this. Come," he said, leading Inuyasha toward the open door. "My mistress is waiting."