Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, he and his buddies belong to Rumiko Takahashi...simple as that....
Chapter 14:

With Kagome securely on his back, Inuyasha sped through the forest to the neko youkai camp. The forested area cleared and a painting of death was placed on the camp. Kagome gasped as she saw the bodies of all of the cats and of Shippo, Miroku, Sango, and Kirara laid on the ground. "Ah so you finally decided to show up, Inuyasha."

"Naraku, you bastard! What have you done?" He roared, still having a firm hold on the girl on his back.

"Don't worry, they're not dead, just paralyzed for the moment. They will die though if you don't agree to my terms. I am growing tired of searching for the last shard, as I'm sure you are too. If you hand over the miko, I will let them all live. Simple choice, ne?"

"Like hell I'll let you take her!" He snarled. *What the hell am I gonna do?* Kagome was silent on his back and he felt a dampness on his back. "Kagome?" He questioned, concerned. "I won't let him take you; we'll figure something out."

"What is your answer?" the wicked being persisted. Growing impatient, he grabbed the little neko demon by the throat, threatening to crush it. Inuyasha gasped as he recognized that it was Bunza. Kagome looked up, wiping the tears from her eyes, only to cover her hand to her mouth in horror. "I will kill if I need. Give her to me and everyone will be saved." Inuyasha growled and snarled. Kagome lowered herself off of the hanyou's back.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha breathed. 'I must do this.' "Kagome what are planning to do?"

"Do you promise they will awaken, if I agree to go with you?" She said straight-faced. Naraku smirked and dropped the cat to the ground and bowed.

"Of course, milady." Kagome hesitantly walked to the demon.

"Kagome! You mustn't! We'll figure out another way! Dammit, Kagome, stop trying to act like you're not scared!" He spat out, but couldn't find himself to move to stop her. She turned to smile at him as if to reassure him everything would be fine. 'Don't be scared, let me actually help and protect the ones I love, Inuyasha. Please, don't stop me.' He was taken aback, unable to fully comprehend what she meant.

"The only way I'll go with you is if you awaken them now." She commanded.

"That would be ridiculous, you human scum." But unlike his usual action, he snapped his fingers and a mist cleared the camp. "My promise is fulfilled; now you are coming with me." Kagome didn't struggle, a promise was a promise. Naraku took her in his grasp and jumped away into the forest. Inuyasha was in complete and utter shock. He wanted to chase after them, but the way she thought the last comment, it was almost as if she wanted to just give up. She must have thought there'd be no other way. *Why? After we just....* He pounded a fist into the ground, tears poured out uncontrollably. The others began to stir and Miroku noticed the sobbing hanyou. Racing to his side, Miroku looked around to find the girl.

"Where's Kagome-sama? Inuyasha?" 'What happened?'

"Naraku threatened to kill all of you, unless Kagome went with him. She saved you all, by sacrificing herself. She went with him." Miroku's eyes widened. "She....she's g-gone." He stifled the tears that spilt down his face. One by one the hostages became conscious and Miroku explained the situation to them all. Inuyasha leaned on a tree and placed his red tear- stained face in his hands.

"Well, what are we waiting for? We have to get her back!" Sango yelled, raising her voice. Inuyasha, realizing this too, stood up. With a look of pure determination, he charged to where the others stood. "Inuyasha?" Sango looked at the serious expression on his face.

"He will not touch MY KAGOME!" He screamed. The others stared at the hanyou's outburst. "Why are we standing around here like idiots for, let's go!" The gang prepared to head out, collecting Kagome's bag and bow and arrows. As Inuyasha picked these items up he closed his eyes, frowning. *Kagome, I swear on my mother's grave, nothing will happen to you. I will not let another incident like Kikyo happen to you too.* Done with his reverie, they ran in the direction of Naraku's stench.

Kagome closed her eyes for the journey, not wanting to look up at the demon. They landed smoothly and she opened her eyes. It was his palace and she sighed when he set her down. "What now?" She said dryly, still trying to hide her emotions of being separated from Inuyasha, especially right after they had confessed their love for one another. 'Damn you, Naraku!' A young boy walked out and greeted the priestess. "Kohaku?" She said in shock. The boy gazed at her and a smile crossed his features.

"Kagome-sama?" He smiled as he took her hand.

"Hai and you're Kohaku, ne?" He led Kagome to a room with a plush bed, but no other furniture decorated the room.

"Hai, I am. This will be your room, for now. Lord Naraku wants you to feel comfortable." Kagome snorted. 'He wants me to be comfortable, huh? Bastard.'

"What was that?" Inuyasha looked around; he could have sworn he heard Kagome's voice, but wasn't positive.

"What's wrong, Inuyasha?" The monk asked him.

"I just thought I heard something is all." He grunted as he tried to keep up with the scent trail left behind.

Author's note: I'm back! Writer's block is now gone! Well, for now anyways....*sighs*.....I hope you enjoyed it....sorry about the last chapter. FF.net decided not to space it correctly when I uploaded it....~_~;