Thank you KIKYO MUST DIE984570, for actually reviewing! I have two fans now! I'm gonna keep my excuses short...sorry I have been partying for the past three days at my friend's house (student holiday yesturday) so I was away all of the weekend. I will update sooner. Sorry about the wait. I'll shut up now...

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...and I will leave it at that...

Chapter Eight: The Race Against Time

Kai sat with her back to the iron bars of her cage, hugging her knees to her chest. She rocked back and forth in a nervous habit. Naraku had disappeared earlier, leaving her all alone. Although she enjoyed that absense of his evil prescense, she hated the feeling of anixety growing in her chest. If she would have warned her parents could this have been avoided? Kai sighed in deep regret. Forgetting completely that she wasn't aware of what Katsuo really was until it too late herself.

She knew in somewhere deep inside that she might not live to see tommorrow. Being in the clutches of a ruthless demon without a weapon, was not in her favor. The cursed moon would be full and tonight Kai would be a weak human. The more she thought about the situation she began to grow frustrated. It wasn't like her to just sit around and mope in despair.

"I won't let Naraku do this!" She said aloud in the empty room. Kai drew her claws against the bars of the cage. She scratched the metal to no effect. She sighed and messaged her hurting hands. Suddenly an idea popped in her head. She started rocking the cage back and forth. Bracing her herself against the walls to prevent rattling around, Kai pushed harder.

The cage was swinging completely out of control. Kai gulped as her grip slipped and her side slammed into the side of the cage. She groaned in pain and noticed the rusted chain holding the cage snapped. "Oh shit," Kai said realizing a bit too late what would happen. The cage was being hurled into the wall of the lair. Kai prepared herself for the impact.

In second the cage hit the wall the bars bent but it didn't break. Kai gasped. Pain overwhelmed her senses. "Oh damn it!" she muttered. That made have been too easy...

However the bars were weakened enough for Kai to break them. The young woman slowly pulled herself out of the ruined prison. She steadied herself on her knees. With a great effort she got to her feet. Ignoring the dizziness Kai ran for the door leading out. She smelt a trail of Naraku's evil scent and chased after it. She ran through windling hallways, with the sick feeling that she was in a fun house at a circus. Naraku was toying with her!

Of course, she thought, he would've known I would have escaped. Kai cursed Naraku and continued looking for an exit to the outside world.

Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kiara, Kohaku and Shippo were sitting at a stream. Both Inuyasha and Kagome were restless and wanted to continue as fast as possible. But everyone was tired and the scent trail was growing cold, but they were getting closer.

"We must hurry and find Naraku before nightfall," Inuyasha growled. His companions ignored the half-demon. They weren't going to let his impatience bother them. Although, they were on the last straw.

"Inuyasha," Miroku said with a sigh. "You have told us this six times. Kai can fight back."

"But if we don't hurry, Kai with have to fight as a human." Inuyasha added quietly. "And if she dies I will never forgive myself." Nobody but Kagome seemed to have heard him. She placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Inuyasha..." She began but something else caught the half-demon's attention.

A tall sliver-haired man and a brunette woman showed up almost out of nowhere. "Long time no see, little brother." a cold unemotionless voice said.

"What do you want Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked harshly.

"So you are aware of Naraku's return." It was a statement, not a question. Inuyasha growled and nodded.

"Kagome," The brown haired woman said walking from behind Sesshomaru. "What is wrong?"

"Oh Rin. Naraku has my daughter!" Kagome cried. Rin and Sesshomaru gasped (I know OOC for him, but he was caught by surprise...) They hadn't seen Kai in six years and Sesshomaru had shown a small soft spot for his only niece. His cold expression flinched and he let out a low growl.

Rin noticed Sesshomaru's behavior and said. "We will help you get Kaiaya back." Kagome felt like crying in relief. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha would assure that Naraku was defeated. Remembering that fateful day, now almost fifteen years ago, Kagome realized they had a much better chance against him if they fought together.

"But how is Naraku still alive?" Sesshomaru asked. Everyone shrugged.

"How the hell would I know?" Inuyasha scoffed. Sesshomaru looked at his brother with a slight annoyance. "Don't bare your fangs at me, or you wouldn't receive my help." Inuyasha instantly backed down everyone's surprise. He was really worried about Kai.

"We must hurry," Sesshomaru said and turned to walk away. Everyone scrambled to follow and Inuyasha muttered under his breath. "Nobody listens me, but they listen to him..."

"Inuyasha," Kagome said. "Just give it a rest and let's go."

"We aren't far off," Rin said. She smiled at Kagome. In fourteen years she had turned from a talktive child to a full grown woman. Everyone wondered why Sesshomru didn't let her go

when she was old enough to be on her own. But now wasn't the time to ask. Now they must find Naraku and kill him once and for all.

Kai was running and collided with a large statue and fell backwards. It was a stone dragon. The details in the stone was breath-taking. Kai was spell-bond watching it. Then a feeling of unease flowed in the bottom of her stomach. Snapping out of her trance, Kai turned and walked away. She stopped when she knew the sound of stone crumbling. Freezing in her tracks, Kai felt warm breath on the back of her neck. She gulped and slowly turned.

Standing directly behind was a life-sized dragon with large red eyes staring deep through her honey ones. They were two swirling orbs of a dangerous predator. "Who are you?" Kai was surprised that the great dragon spoke. His voice was grinding and sounded as if it hadn't been used in eons. "Answer my question, mortal."

"Kaiaya Higurashi, and I am not a mortal."

The dragon's nostrils flared as it was filled with Kai's scent. He paused for a second as if deceiphering something. "You are the daughter of a half-breed. That counts as a mortal in my book."

"Whatever," Kai shrugged, not wanting to bother with the ancient demon. "Who are you?"

"That does not concern you mortal." A dark figure came up behind the dragon. "Watch out!" Kai warned but it was too late. Naraku had appeared out of nothing and began to absorb the demon. Kai was thrown back by the barrier the merging bodies. She watched in horror as Naraku grew stronger. Her parents had told her the stories of how Naraku used the bodies of demons to enhance his own.

To see it in front of she own eyes was hard for Kai. When the process was over Naraku looked down at Kai and said amused. "The little birdie as escaped her cage." Kai growled at him. Sudddenly, she felt the sheath on my hip grew hot and begin to pulse. Her sword was nearby! Hope filled her mind. She only had to hold out for a couple more hours. She looked out the window and saw the sun was at a 45 degree angle from the horizon. Atlough, she had time it was running out and she had to be quick. Once my sword is returned then it will be easy, she thought. She glared at Naraku in defiance. He almost stumbled back in surprise, she was cornered and still stood before him confident and hating him with a passion.

"I might have underestimated this wench." He thought as chills went down his spine.

Alot of the chapter just popped in my head, so if doesn't fit I'm sorry. Well I have to hurry but please review!