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Chapter 15, Alone in the darkness

When Inuyasha came back, he saw right away that something was wrong. He took a glance at pale Kouga, who seemed to be in pain, and sat down next to Kagome.

"Hey." He said. "Is everything okay?"

"Myoga-jiichan told us that we should get a water snake's tooth and make a medicine of it. Other choice is a Shikon shard." Kagome answered.

"So, if we don't find that water snake, which would be really rare, we can't save Kouga." Miroku sighed.

Inuyasha stood up. "Damn it, you all are just giving up! I'm going to find that damned water snake and put and end to those bastard Kagemaru's tricks!"

"Inuyasha…" Kagome whispered, looking after him while he ran back towards the river.

'Damn it! What is that bastard Kagemaru trying?' Inuyasha thought while running. 'I bet his demons took Ayame. But what the heck he wants with her?'

Inuyasha arrived to the river, but didn't see water snakes or any other living thing. He had a very bad feeling that he wouldn't find the snake, but he quickly pushed that thought off.

'If I don't find one damned water snake, it will be end to Kouga. And that's exactly what Kagemaru wants. I won't do like he wants me to! I will find that snake!' He thought and jumped to the river.

Inuyasha ran up the river, jumping on the rocks and trying to find a water snake. The river seemed to start from somewhere in the mountains, where he could sense a great jyaki coming from. He recognized Naraku's jyaki even from so far.

Kagemaru was on the mountains, there was no doubt about it. And so the water snakes, if they were sent by him, should be somewhere near the mountains too. Inuyasha knew the time was running out and tried to quicken his steps.

'Just wait, Kagemaru! We will come and save Ayame after Kouga is healed. And then, I will kill you without mercy after everything you have done to us!" Inuyasha thought angrily.

Inuyasha was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't hear someone attacking from behind him…

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Ayame opened her eyes carefully. She was all wet and aching. It was cold and dark, and it took a moment to realize she was in a cave. She saw evilly smiling figure next to her.

"Finally awake, wolf girl?" Asked too familiar voice.

"Kagemaru!" Ayame grunted. "What do you want from me?"

"You will figure that out by yourself soon enough." Kagemaru answered. "Since then, you will stay here as a bait. Too bad for you, you won't ever see them again after my plan is complete!"

Ayame raised her head. "What do you mean by that? I won't see who after what?"

Kagemaru smirked cruelly. "I mean your dear wolf boy is already dead. And so will be the others until they come here to save you. And when they do that, I have some business in that old miko's village."

And without saying anything more Kagemaru left the cave, leaving Ayame there totally confused and afraid in the darkness. She couldn't believe anything he had said.

"No…" She whispered. "He's going to attack Kaede's village for some reason, but why? And… can Kouga… is he really dead?"

A tear ran down Ayame's cheek. 'Kouga… it can't be true. You wouldn't leave me here in this mess. You would come to save me, and tell me everything is okay…'

Then she bowed her head again, painfully realizing the truth. No, Kouga wouldn't come to save her. He would only save Kagome but never risk his life for Ayame. She knew him too well. No, Ayame was there all alone and no one would help her.

And what would happen if the others came? Kagemaru had said they'd die. Ayame didn't know what he was trying, but she had a bad feeling about it.

'I mean your dear wolf boy is already dead. And so will be the others until they come here to save you. And when they do that, I have some business in that old miko's village' He had said.

Ayame had a feeling that everything was lost. Then she suddenly realized what Kagemaru was going to do in Kaede's village. He had planned a dangerous trap for them!

This is getting interesting… xD