Miyu: I am in an odd mood tonight…my muse wishes me to write…and write I must.

Ryuu: you have a muse?

Miyu: why, of course! Where do you think I obtain my creavity?

Ryuu: I always thought you robbed it off of the people you killed.

Miyu: …that too. ::scribble, scribble::

Ryuu: I suppose that leaves me with the disclaimer. Miyu does not own Inuyasha nor any of the characters therein.

Miyu: now, for the warning…::ominous music::…my mind is in an odd state tonight…the moon is a dark hole, and so is the state in which it has left me. What follows now is a result of darkness…and pain…

Ryuu: you need help. No, seriously…you're disturbing.

Miyu: enjoy!!

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"Kagome!" Kagome tripped. Sighing, she shoved a lock of her raven-black hair behind her ear. "What do you WANT, Inuyasha?"

"Could bring back some more of those potato chips? Oh, and some steak. Oh, and those hard candy things."

Kagome struggled against the urge to scream "sit" and took a deep, somewhat calming, breath. "I am NOT your delivery girl, Inuyasha!"

"What are you whining about?" Inuyasha glared at Kagome in his usual manner. "You're gonna be there anyways, so you may as well bring the stuff back."

"That steak is expensive!" Kagome glared back. "And I get the feeling that the only reason you want me around is to feed you!"

Inuyasha blinked. "What are you talking about, Kagome?" He looked down at her with an adorable confusion.

Kagome swallowed. Why did she always get weak in the knees every time he looked her in the eye with those sizzling-hot amber eyes? His eyes were so hot, she practically melted before him.

"You know you're the only who can find the jewel shards."

Why that little…

Kagome smiled coldly at him. "Inuyasha…"

Inuyasha's eyes widened. He knew what was coming.

"SIT!"

Kagome whirled around, every inch of her fuming, and left a very befuddled Inuyasha halfway into the ground.

"Inuyasha, you're such an idiot," Shippou shook his little fox-demon head while he licked a bright green lollipop, compliments of Kagome.

"Shut up, you little twirp!" Inuyasha sat up in a huff. What was with her, anyways?

"It's your fault, you know," Shippou nodded knowingly. "You always set yourself up for a big sit."

"Hmph," Inuyasha muttered, digging his fist into poor Shippou's head.

Sighing loudly, he headed off into the woods, desperate for some time alone. Why did she always have to be like that? Always getting upset at the tiniest thing. What did he do wrong, anyways? It's not like he didn't enjoy being around her. She was amazing, in her own special way. But still…he loved getting her riled up like that. He adored that angry spark in her eye, the way she put her hands on her slim hips, or crossed her arms over her voluptuous bosom. Yes, she was definitely gorgeous when she was angry…up until the point when she opened her mouth to scream that blasted word.

Sighing yet again, he hopped up into a tree branch, shaking himself off as though it would shake off the nasty feeling he had.

Sure, they'd had fights before…but something was odd about today. For some reason, he felt like running after her and never letting her leave his sight.

"Hmph. Stupid Kagome," he muttered, positioning himself to watch the sun set behind the purple mountains in the distance.

"Stupid Inuyasha!" Kagome muttered to herself. "The uncaring little…" She chose not to end that sentence.

Glancing up at the nearly-dark sky, she shook her head. Why did he always have to be so annoying? So arrogant. So rude. So insensitive. So…damn delicious without his shirt.

Kagome blinked. Where on earth did that come from?

She quickly pushed the thought to the back of her mind as she hurried along back to the village.

Her stay back at home in the present had been shorter than she'd anticipated. Much to her dismay, her mother had already generously bought the steak and candy for Inuyasha. Kagome would have much rather just not brought it back at all. See how you like that, Inuyasha.

Something moved.

Kagome froze. Swallowing hard, she slowly turned to look behind her. "I…Inuyasha? Is that you?"

No answer.

Turning back around, she quickened her pace and reached into her blouse for the jewel shards. Not another demon! She hoped silently. She glanced down at herself. If only the washing machine hadn't been broken when she went back. Consequently, she was forced to wear an old pair of shorts that were a bit too tight and a small, faded old tank top. Why didn't she just go for the sweatpants?

Because you wanted Inuyasha to notice you.

Did not!

The bush behind her rustled. "Inuyasha?" Kagome gasped, noting that her voice sounded somewhat shrill. "Inuyasha, this isn't funny! Come out right this minute!"

"Sorry, girlie," a rough voice replied. "Wrong man."

Four burly, dirty, drunk-looking men stumbled out of the bushes. "So, girlie…what's a pretty thing like you doing out here?" The nearest one with a balding head slurred.

"Yeah. Out looking for a good time?" The second one smiled a toothless smile.

The third one tripped a bit, but regained his balance. "Well, you found it. So why don't you come over here and show us what's under those strange clothes of yours."

Baldy laughed. "Yeah. A good time."

"Funny looking clothes, but that's okay. Easier to get off, eh?" The fourth one, head covered in wild, unkempt hair, grinned slyly.

Kagome clutched desperately at the small bottle around her neck containing the jewel shards. "Y-you guys had better leave me alone! If you don't," she swallowed hard. "My boyfriend is going to come after you!" Sheesh! She just called Inuyasha her boyfriend!

The men laughed in unison. "Uh-oh!" Toothless said in mock fear while the others continued laughing. They resumed the steady approach.

Grabbing her backpack by the strap, she flung it at the first man as hard she could, knocking him over. Turning immediately to the others, she threw the heavy backpack straight at them but didn't bother to stay and watch them all go tumbling over. Turning, she ran as fast as she could through the woods, not realizing she didn't know where she was going. She neglected to think as she glanced back at them, causing herself to go plowing straight into a tree.

"Oww!" she moaned as she collapsed in a heap onto the ground.

She sat there for a moment, trying desperately to regain her bearings.

"Hey. That was pretty mean."

Kagome's eyes widened. No. Oh, gods, no. Slowly turning around, she felt her heart plummet at the sight of the four men staggering up behind her.

"Looks like we're gonna hafta teach her a lesson for that one." Baldy grinned. He reached out and curled a calloused hand tightly in her hair, yanking harshly.

"Stupid little whore. You'll get what you deserve now."

Kagome gasped quietly, tears streaming from her eyes. "Please…oh, please, don't…" She tried desperately not to scream, afraid they'd hurt her more.

"What's that, girlie?" Toothless grabbed her face roughly, causing the pain from Baldy's hand in her hair to worsen. "You say somethin'?"

"Please…" Kagome moaned. "Please…Inuyasha…help…"

"You're boyfriend can't help you now." The third man leered at her then grabbed a fistful of her top, ripping it into shreds.

Toothless grinned another empty smile. "Pucker up, girlie." With that, he shoved her face into his, nearly choking her with his enlarged tongue shamelessly exploring her mouth.

Kagome was trying so hard not to sob, but to no avail. "Shut up!" The fourth one barked. He reached a hand deep into her shorts and pulled, the ratty old shorts giving easily. He smiled disgustingly. "Aren't you a pretty little thing…I've got a daughter that looks kinda like you."

Inuyasha, Inuyasha, Inuyasha…Kagome chanted in her mind. She whimpered, no longer aware of the noises she made.

"I said, shut UP!" The fourth one spat at her. He grabbed her face, allowing a sickening aroma of feminine odors into nostril, and muttered, "Fine. I'll make you shut up." He lifted her head about a foot off the ground and paused there, as though waiting for some cue. He then swiftly brought her delicate head smashing into the stony ground.

Everything swam before Kagome's eyes, and the last thing she remembered before the darkness was a horrifying pain between her legs.

Miyu: wasn't that beautiful?

Ryuu: what are you, sick?

Miyu: I prefer the term "creatively dark"…

Ryuu: you're sick and you need help.

Miyu: until next time…what becomes of our beautiful heroine? Will Inuyasha save her? Or is she doomed to the cruelty of men?

Ryuu: hey, wait. What have you got against men, anyways?

Miyu: hehehe….please review!

Ryuu: no, really. What's up with that?