Hmm.. back to normal (at least.. in my head) writing!  No more funny sentences, I promise.  For now.

Quick note: Hoshi means "star".  (and yes.. there is a horse in a book I've read before named Hoshi, I'm not copying anything from that book.  Except naming a horse "Hoshi".  Meh)

Many apologies for those of you who have been waiting for this chap.  I've been swamped with many things, most noticeably exams. (And thanks to all the ppl who reviewed!)

Cindy: i DO have a reason for doing that. Dun worry, i DID promise that this is InuKag, and InuKag it's gonna be.

also, thanks to Morlana for pointing that out.  Chap 1 has been fixed, and reposted. And yes, they are supposed to be sisters.

Disclaimer: I own Inuyasha about as much as I own the universe.  Which is none of it.  Sadly.  sniffle

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The quiet forest exploded.  Birds rose from the trees, shrieking their alarm.  Hoshi reared, and it was all Kagome could do not to fall off.

And before even that had time to register in the girl's mind, she was suddenly knocked off by a force that slammed into her side, sending her and the force flying several feet to crash into a tree.  The impact left her feeling very dizzy and more than a little light-headed.  Dimly she saw Hoshi spin around and race away, followed by several fast, blurry figures.  Actually, everything was a big blur.

She shook her head, clearing her vision and her mind.  Something was pressed against her body, constricting her breath.  The force suddenly lifted, and her lungs swelled with much-needed air.  A face was suddenly pressed close to hers, and her breath caught in her throat.

White hair framed a face in which was set the most peculiar eyes.  Golden eyes stared into soft brown, like honey clashing with chocolate.  {don't ask me there that came from.. prolly cuz I'm hungry rite now}

The face pulled back, and her range of vision included two small fangs revealed by a mocking smirk.  "You are no match for me, weak human."

Next, the only thing Kagome heard was the crackling sound of knuckles, followed by a strange pressure where her neck met her shoulders, and then consuming darkness.

. . . . . . . . . .

Golden eyes drifted through the dark interior of the cave.  It was nice and quiet in the cave, hidden in the mountains that were no-man's-land.  Except for random human bandits and stray demons, the small pack of dog youkai were the only residents.  Few knew much about each other, and a few knew little about themselves.  Like the leader.  He had joined their ranks decades ago, as a pup.  Nobody knew where he was from, nor who his family was.  He could have been from a noble family, or the son of stray dog youkai.  He had been found unconscious, abandoned, and far from any settlements.  Even he didn't remember anything of his past.

He had proven himself a warrior, fast, efficient, and merciless.  He rose in respect in the small pack, and soon replaced the aging leader, though by youkai terms, he would have still been considered little more than a pup.  In fact, he wasn't even fully youkai.  He was only half demon.  But few resented his human blood; he had more than shown himself capable of being the pack's leader.  They didn't need anyone to lead them as a lord; they were more like bandits, attacking those unfortunate enough to travel in the forest.  For that, all they needed was a leader who was strong and fast.

And merciless.  Why he had simply applied the pressure point rather than knocking her on her head, he didn't know.  He growled softly and flexed his claws, his eyes landing on the lump somewhere in the corner that was the Lady Kagome.

He hated humans.  They were weak, vulnerable.  It was his own human blood that weakened his demon blood.  He wasn't as fast, or as strong, as many full demons.  And there was that one night, every month, when he lost his demon blood entirely.  He hated those times.  He felt so weak then, his senses dulled, his arms and legs useless.  Humans smelt horrible, too.

But this one didn't.  Not entirely.  She smelt.. different, not revolting like other humans.

Feh.  Like he cared.  She was just a tool, his hostage.  Once he got the money and whatever else he could think of from the Higurashis, he'd just forget her.

Easy enough, right?

. . . . . . . . . .

Pain.  Incredible, searing, throbbing pain.  Kagome had a headache with a vengeance.  "Itai.." [ouch]

Thankfully, wherever she was, it was pretty dark, so she wasn't also being blinded by light.  Which brought back a few memories..

Kagome sat up, only to cringe from the feeling that a thousand drums were beating inside her head.  When the drumming subsided, she opened her eyes.  She was in what looked like a cave, an empty one, the only source of light being the streams of soft glow coming from the moon just barely visible in the opening.  Wait.  The cave wasn't empty.

A figure was leaning against the wall near the opening, visible only as a silhouette.  Kagome got onto her hands and knees and crawled towards the opening.

Her memory seemed a bit blurred.  Why was she here?  She remembered riding in the forest.. gold eyes.. white hair.. !!

I.. I must have been captured!  Wha-?  This can't happen!  I'm getting married..  If only to rub salt in the wound, she was fully bathed in moonlight now.  Her heart sank.  It's night.. I.. I missed my wedding!  Kouga!

Without another thought, she scrambled to her feet, and ran.  Maybe, this was just a dream.  She wasn't really in cave, she must be dreaming!  She would run, and find her way home, then she would wake up safe in her bed.

She stopped abruptly at the opening.  From here, there was only a short distance to a cliff edge.  She could see the treetops below, like lumps of dark green and shadow.  She walked slowly to the edge.  Several feet down, there was a ledge, which led to a path leading down into the trees.  There was no way she was getting down there.

Still, she had to try.  Very, very carefully, Kagome edged closer, sitting down so her feet dangled off the edge.  Inch by inch, she moved closer, until most of her lower body was suspended.  She closed her eyes.  I really hope this is just a dream..

No such luck.  A hand grabbed the back of her kimono, dragging her back up.

"Can't get away that easily, girl."

"It's just a dream.  It's just a dream."  Kagome whispered the words to herself like they were her lifeline.

"This isn't a dream.  And you aren't getting away."

Whoever it was carried her back inside the cave, slinging her over their shoulder like a sack of potatoes.  The motion only made Kagome's headache throb harder, and she pressed her hands to her temples.  "Owie.."

"Don't complain, girl.  You humans are so weak.."

Kagome was dumped onto the floor, landing hard on her behind.  Her world went black.

. . . . . . . . . .

The entire Higurashi household was in state of chaos.

Kagome hadn't shown up at the garden.  Not even after Kouga and his followers showed up.  And now it was night.  A messenger had arrived at the garden, saying that the lady's horse had returned, but without its rider.

Kouga had vowed to scour the entire area, and had left immediately.  The Higurashis left for their own home, leaving behind only a few servants to clean up the place and bring things home.

Sango was beyond nervous.  Kagome was an excellent horsewoman, and the horse she had ridden was one she had trained from a colt.  The two would never leave the other abandoned if they were out for a ride.  The fact that the horse came back alone meant that something bad had happened.

And Sango could guess at just what had happened.  Kagome had always whispered that she longed to ride in the woods, an activity forbidden by her parents and therefore made all the more tempting.

Kagome.. I hope you're okay!

I.. I should probably tell this to Lady Higurashi.  If something really did happen to Kagome while she was riding in the woods..

She rushed down the hall to find the lady.

. . . . . . . . . .

Lady Higurashi paced the floor of the main room.  Her husband was somewhere, talking to guards and organizing search parties.  Which left her with nothing to do but wait and worry.  Her younger daughter still had not returned.  Hours had passed since the riderless horse had arrived at the Higurashi household, but there was no sign of the rider.

Now did she wonder if it had been deliberate.  Had her daughter run away?  Perhaps simply to escape the noble life, perhaps eloping with a secret lover..  Lady Higurashi could not deny that her daughter, both her daughters, were beautiful.  Nor could she deny that she had perhaps been a little strict with them.

Perhaps even a little more strict on her younger daughter.  Kikyou had always shown a love for the temples, and it had seemed to Lady Higurashi that her older daughter would become a miko.  It wasn't that surprising; miko blood had run in the veins of her ancestors, and she was a little proud that one of her daughters should follow that path.  So in preparation, she had always thought of her younger daughter as the one that they would marry.

She had wanted a son, for a while.  But she was happy with her daughters.  Still, knowing that she would one day lose Kagome, she had distanced herself, protecting herself from the inevitable pain of separation.  Perhaps it was this that had made her treat her younger daughter differently.

Kagome.. if it was I that forced you to leave.. forgive me..

But what if it hadn't been deliberate?  What if, as she feared, bandits had ambushed her daughter on the road?  She should have seen the folly in allowing her daughter out alone.  It was too late now.  And only now did she realize just how attached she had been.

My Kagome.. will I ever see you again?

She shook her head.  No.  Kagome was fine, she probably just had a little accident on the road, and she would be back soon.

. . . . . . . . . .

Sango skidded past the open doorway to the main room.  Stupid socks.  She slip-stepped her way to the doorway, and bowed, fighting to keep her breath under control.

"My lady!"

Lady Higurashi turned, surprised.  "Sango, dear!  What is the matter?"

"My lady, it's about Kagome."

The lady stiffened, then she rushed forward.  "Tell me!"

"I think.. when she went riding.." she gulped.  "I think she went down the forest path.."

All colour drained from Lady Higurashi's face.  "The forest path.."

At that moment, the several soldiers burst in through the doorway.  "M'lady!"

Uh oh.. now what?  Sango stepped closer to the lady.

The soldiers parted, revealing a ragged, dirty, dog youkai in human form.  He bared his fangs in a mocking smile.

"Lady Higurashi.  I have a message for you."

[I'd stop now, but that would be evil, wouldn't it?]

"Who are you?"  Lady Higurashi straightened to her full height, surrounding herself with dignity and authority.

"I am of no importance to you.  However, I suppose that your daughter might be.."  He grinned.

Lady Higurashi sagged just a little.  "Where is she?"  she demanded.

"Oh.. you can't have her back that easily.  We worked hard to capture her, our little prize.  She's unharmed at the moment, but if you ever want to see her again.. we have our own little demands."  The coldness in his eyes shattered the falseness of his mocking smile.  He took out a small scroll from his clothing and tossed it to her.  "You have a week"  He turned.

Sango caught the scroll as Lady Higurashi stepped forward.  "Where is my daughter?  Just give her back!"

"I'm sorry, m'lady" the last word just bubbled with sarcasm.  "That isn't something we're going to do.  And oh, you'll have to find us.  Wherever we are."  He brushed aside the soldiers with ease, though they tried to stop him.  "I think we understand each other."

Sango ran past the soldiers.  He musn't get away!  But she was too late.  The youkai was running full speed, leaping up over the gate with seemingly effortless ease.

And just like that, he was gone.

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phew! That took long enough.

Dang. Sorry about that, guys.  I planned to get this out before exams started, but then they just went whoosh! And I never really got around to it.  Ack.  I actually started writing this chap as soon as I finished the last one (it's true!) but .. as you can see, it took me quite a while to get it done.  Anyway.  School's almost over.  I have about two days, then freedom!  (That means.. more time to write! Yay! Let's hope I don't run into writer's block.  Seems to be a frequent occurrence)