Kori's henchmen waited patiently by the well ,as they were instructed. If the half-breed showed up they'd kill him, and if not, problem solved. If he didn't show, it would prove he's a coward not to be bothered with.

"Why didn't we just kill him yesterday?" The smaller one asked the taller- his reward a thump on the head.

"The boss wants to prolong it, we prolong it. He says it's more pleasurable that way."

"Well I say I can't wait for the fun to start."

"Neither can I." The voice came from above them, allowing just enough time for them to look up and see a foot in their faces.

They stumbled back, hands clutched to noses as blood streamed through their fingers. Inu Yasha landed gracefully- back to the goons- and when he turned they saw his eyes and there was a sudden stillness in the woods.

"Does he look different?" The bigger one asked.

"Yah but he still has the same pussy strength." They rose to feet ready for battle, a stupid grin plastered on both their faces.

"Don't be so cocky." Inu Yasha drew Tetsusaiga, "This time I wont play nice."

He charged at them with such force that they would have been dust beneath his feet, if they hadn't jumped out of the way just in time. Sadly the tree behind them had no such luck and was split in two down the middle. Swirling around enraged he grabbed one of the thugs and smeared his face into the ground.

"Where's Kagome?" He bit out, but before he got an answer he was lifted into the air and thrown aside. Landing on his feet Inu Yasha swirled Tetsusaiga at his opponent, but was met by a blow to the head from the villain's partner. Inu Yasha was knocked to the side, his back splintering as it struck the well's stonewall. Now he wished he hadn't ditched Miroku and Shippo, the two goons together were tougher than they looked.

"You'll be with your bitch shortly, in death." Said the taller of the two, as laughter split into Inu Yasha's already pounding head.

Jumping to his feet Inu Yasha slammed his knee into the bully's gut. There was a groin in reply but this he stifled with his fist. "If you dare harm her you'll wish you were dead."

There was a glint as Inu Yasha managed to dodge a blow from behind. The glint was from a jewel shard that was just barely visible, sticking out from flesh of the thug's hand. Raising his sword Inu Yasha struck out, right after another hand struck him in the jaw. He was pleased by the agonizing scream that filled his ears, as the offending hand feel useless to the ground- with a jewel shard shining still.

Inu Yasha turned and smiled menacingly at the other goon, who backed up, both his hands intact. "Let's see how tough you are alone."

The thug picked up a branch and flung it towards Inu Yasha, but the blade of Tetsusaiga sliced it in half. A rock was flung next which Inu Yasha easily dodged, and then some dirt as the thug tried to scramble away. With quick feet Inu Yasha caught up to him and cleaved his hand from his wrist.

The bully fell to the ground clutching his stub as Inu Yasha stood over him; Tetsusaiga pointed down threateningly.

"Don't, please, don't kill him." Came a call from behind. The one who had first lost a limb scurried onto the scene.

"And why shouldn't I?" Inu Yasha prodded Tetsusaiga at the whimpering figure before him.

"We'll tell you a secret to get your girl back, if you promise to spare us." Said the one behind him.

Inu Yasha debated this; he debated how trustworthy the two were, in the end he decided to give them a chance. "All right." He sheathed Tetsusaiga and stepped back.

After gathering his friend the goon turned to him hesitantly, "To free your girl you must…" Before he could say more, ice swirled around him and his friend halting their breath and turning them in to ice figurines. Inu Yasha rushed forwards to help, but just then the ice burst, sending ice blocks through the air that left nothing of the two thugs.

Laughter filled the air around Inu Yasha, and he turned cautiously looking about. Not to far away levitating on a block of ice was a man, and from the look of him a half-breed. Narrowing his eyes from the sun that was reflected by the ice, Inu Yasha managed to get a good look at him.

He had a slim tall figure that was draped with an ice blue cloth. Blond hair that stood up frozen in place, light finely shaped eyebrows that dipped menacingly, and beneath those sat two cold stone eyes. At the corner of his right eye formed into a snowflake were the jewel shards.

"We meet again, Inu Yasha." Came a calm deep voice.

Inu Yasha found it ironic coming from someone about to die. "We meet to fight."

"Fight? Me, Kori? I would not give you such an honor." Kori pressed his lips together amused. "But perhaps my lovely assistant will humor you."

From behind Inu Yasha heard the pitter patter of quick feet, and turned to see a swathe of blond hair and a familiar face, right before being blown down.

"Kagome?"

Callie here: Review.