DISCLAIMER: If you don't know by now that I don't own Inu Yasha, then you are in need of more help than I am. nods But that's okay. We all need help sometimes. My props to Sesshoumaru's owner: Rumiko Takahashi. Three cheers!
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Inu Yasha was rushing towards Sesshoumaru's mansion at his full speed. He guessed that Miroku and Sango were probably there by now, so he hoped they had waited on him. However, he had been a while with Kikyou...
Even in his rush, he was still nearly a day away, and he knew he'd never keep up this pace. He would have to rest at some point, or have no chance in... no chance with Kikyou once he confronted his half-brother. He decided he would get close, wear out, then rest up. Sleep. He would attack tomorrow, in full power.
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He did not know that at that very moment the battle had begun without him. Miroku had run behind Sesshoumaru, while Sango took the side to his left. What with his one arm, this would slow him down, however slightly, in attacking her. Kirara growled and stepped in front of Kagome, trying to urge the priestess back onto her back. This would be a tough battle, and Kagome was the main target. Knowing this, Kagome raised her bow and arrow, aiming at Sesshoumaru's breast. She would have to end this quickly to protect her friends. She wondered if it were possible to talk him into leaving them be.
Sesshoumaru took in their battle positions. He figured that he should go for the exterminator first, as she had the best range attack. Miroku would have to get close to him or risk taking his friends into his Kazaana. Shippou would be of little to no help to his friends in this battle, and Kagome was tremling unconsiously. She was likely to miss even if she loosed her arrow. He figured Kirara would either make Sango a moving target, or Kagome a protected treasure. He reached his poisoned claw outwards to his right, and lept towards Sango.
Sango dodged, barely escaping. Too late did she realize she was not the target of his attack. The center of her Hiraikotsu was melting from the toxin, rendering her beloved weapon useless. Miroku was moving quickly, already right behind Sesshoumaru. He had placed a sutra on his staff, intending to bring it down on Sesshoumaru with holy power. If nothing else, perhaps they could stun him. However, Sesshoumaru had been expecting the monk and he brought his venom through the staff. It barely resisted a moment before falling over leaving Miroku vulnerable. Sesshoumaru nearly took his opportunity, but choose rather to leap backwards a few feet.
Kagome had shot her arrow, barely missing either the monk or taiyoukai. Both parties had deemed it more wise to leap away than to attack each other for it, and Miroku was forced to leave behind the top of his weapon. Both Sango and Miroku ran for Kagome, taking fullest advantage of their attacker's pause. Kagome shook as she reached for another arrow. They had barely fought for a minute and already they had nearly lost. Were they really so pitiful without Inu Yasha to protect them?
Would Inu Yasha appear to save her as he had done so often in the past? Or was he too busy entertaining Kikyou in Hell?
"Last chance, priestess. Return by choice, or by force." Sesshoumaru raised his claws again to indicate their loss. Had he been anyone else, he would have grinned. This had been all too easy. He could see the wheels turning in Kagome's head, contemplating her surrender. She shuddered, and both her friends turned to glare at her momentarily, daring her to chance their wrath should she give in to him.
She took the moment to shudder again.
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Inu Yasha stopped when he reached the place he had previously separated from Miroku and Sango. He knew where he had to go, but he'd nearly run himself dry. He hadn't had a good night's rest since he had broken the well, and he hadn't slept at all since he met up with Kikyou. He thought this would be as good a place as any to rest up.
A feeling of unease grew in his chest and he couldn't help but look towards his destination. They had waited on him, hadn't they? He wasn't so sure.
Best he didn't rest too long.
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Kagome looked to her friend's worried faces. It was time to assess her situation, and quickly. On one hand, her friends were in danger and would likely not be otherwise freed from it, so she should choose to return quietly. On the other hand, Inu Yasha was with Kikyou, and Kagome couldn't bear to think of leaving him to Hell's fire without even trying to save him. Was there a middle ground? She could try for it... at least enough to buy her some thinking time.
"Sesshoumaru-sama..." she tried in her most apologetic but authoritative voice (on loan from her mom!), "I have to leave. Inu Yasha may be in great danger, and even as furious as I am with him, he cannot beg forgiveness if he is dead." She watched the taiyoukai's face for any sign of relent, but found his expression as icy and unreadable as it had ever been. She tried to think of a better excuse to add in to this one, but he interrupted her.
Before she knew what had happened, he had moved closer and grabbed her around her waist. "There are others here who can save him. You will stay." With this note, said more for her friends than for her, he lept up and away with her, Shippou still clutching her shoulder for dear life.
Sango and Miroku started after her, but she shot them a last glare before she was taken completely out of sight. They understood well.
Fix your weapons and find Inu Yasha. Reluctantly, they turned to do just that.
"We can't win without them." Both persons grabbed their broken weapons, and Kirara took them back from where they came.
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NOTES: I know, this is a very short chapter. It happens to be late, and I should be doing a report for tomorrow. This was more appealing. If I get so much as one review, I will make the next installment longer and far more interesting. Lets just say that Kagome will be antagonized a little more, and Inu Yasha will finally know what has become of Kagome. This should be fun.
I actually got a few good reviews in the time I've been gone, but I've totally lost track of them. I am sorry, but I won't be replying to them this time around. I will start again with the next chapter, which I will do my best to release before the month is over, at latest. I am back, babeh! --had to say it.
Onegai: Read and Review (and forgive me my chronic tardiness)!