Kagome was fuming. She was absolutely positively seething. She glared ahead as she lugged around a backpack full of ramen and other various things she had discovered need for in the Feudal Era. Like a first aid kit. And an inflatable pillow. The weather was beautiful, a warm sunny day. Everyone was alive and well. It seemed as thought Higurashi should have been pleased.

That is if she hadn't drug about five pounds of ramen through the well only to find out that Inuyasha had found plenty of fish earlier that morning and she was now carrying around unnecessary weight.

She had half the mind to throw the entire backpack at him, tell him to eat off nasty smelling fish his whole life, and return back to her time.

But she had half the mind to not do so.

Trudging along the dirt pathway, heat pouring down on her brow where sweat was beginning to glow, she glared at the red clothed half demon in front of her. If he had any sense he'd be carrying the bag, not her.

A little ways in front of him Sango and Miroku were in conversation about their discoveries on their trip to the mountain and Shippou was asleep on Sango's shoulder.

Kagome whimpered lightly, Shippou seeming so lucky to her now that he could simply crawl onto someone's shoulder or be carried around and she had to walk.

"What are you whining about?" Inuyasha spat as he looked over his shoulder.

Eyes squinting in anger, Kagome sped up and passed him, giving him an evil eye as she did so.

"What?"

"SIT!"

""""""""""

Night crept over the horizon earlier than she had remembered a week ago. Summer was about to dawn in her time and she'd be able to devote more time to searching for the jewel shards, but she still had to sneak away to take her tests and study.

As the fire cracked and popped glowing orange and red against the deep purple sky, Kagome looked out towards the tree line that they had been walking by. Something kept her looking back to it but she wasn't sure what. It was a gorgeous wood, but there was something else.

""""""""""""""""""

Two dark brown eyes peered out from the trees with a snarl leaving the lips beneath them. Turning, the body stomped into the ground and continued some way before finding a small beaten down path and continuing on. The girl, the girl could see jewel shards and she had been looking directly at his position all day but not as if she knew for sure he was there.

Bankotsu slung his baby, the Banryuu, over his shoulder and continued on down the path. He would investigate at a later time.

""""""""""""

Kagome blinked open her eyes to the morning sun creeping over the hills around them until it peeled back her eyelids. Groaning, she turned over and landed with her face right in front of Miroku's.

"MIROKU!"

A loud pop sound reached Inuyasha's ears as he perched on a tree limb about a hundred yards away. Looking back he could see the red creep into the skin of the lecherous monk. Growling, Inuyasha bounded back to the group to find Kagome brandishing a pot and Sango ready to throw her Hiratsu right at the monk who was attempting to hide behind the small bush to the side.

"What'd you do this time monk?" Inuyasha snapped, hands on his hips.

Miroku, chuckling nervously looked over the line of the leaves, hands on his head. "Nothing?"

"LIAR!" The two femme's chorused and both threw their weapons in hand at him.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. Wouldn't he ever learn?

"""""""""""

Kagome shivered in fear. She had no idea what she was going to do! How was she supposed to get out of this mess? She should've stayed in her time! Stupid Inuyasha for pulling her all the way out here!

"Inuyasha! I'm wai-ting!" The taunting voice of Bankotsu made Inuyasha's ears twitch.

Sneering, the half demon brandished his Tetsusaiga in defense. "Leave… Her… Out of this." He warned, his yellow eyes focused on the form of Kagome.

Kagome, face squished in terror, was being held by one arm by the Band of Seven leader while in the other one he was holding his Banryuu to her neck. An interesting predicament.

"I'm afraid that it's a little late for requests… especially that one." A smirk crossed the devilish features of Bankotsu as he held Kagome tight to his side.

Well at least if he doesn't fight for her, I can take her with me and force her to show me where all the jewel shards are. She serves some purpose yet. Bankotsu thought to himself as he waited for Inuyasha to move.

Inuyasha shook with anger. How was he going to launch an attack when Kagome was standing right there? He didn't want her to get hurt but he was in no shape to fight at the time. He was still hurt from his battle in the cave with Renkotsu.

But he had to do something…

"Bankotsu! Don't be such a coward and let her go so we can fight!" He yelled out across the ravine.

Bankotsu grinned. He was stupid. Much more stupid than he had thought.

Why, all evidences pointed to that. He fell right for Bankotsu's trap. Walked right into it that afternoon and now here they were, Kagome as his hostage.

"No chance! If you want her back come to the tree in the middle of the woods. You'll know which one it is, it's the tallest. And wait there tomorrow at dawn. I'll be there to fight. The girl will be somewhere else of course, and once you get there I'll tell your friends where she is and they can fetch her. I'll even spare you until they get back so you can die knowing she's alive." An animalistic grin crossed his face.

Kagome let out a yell as Bankotsu made a great leap to a ledge on the cliff behind them and continued up. What was she going to do?

((Chappie numero 2! WOOT WOOT! Alright, I'm making these shorter than normal stuff- if you read my other stuff –because I have this one scene in particular I want to get to and these are just leading up to it. RR!))