Chapter 1

Inuyasha had told her to run, get as far away as possible. She had been reluctant to do so at first, but when her arrows ran out, and with Inuyasha locked in a serious battle with the other demon and unable to protect her, she ran as fast as her aching legs could carry her.

FLASH BACK

She and Inuyasha had gone off looking for food for that night's supper. Originally he was going by himself, but he was injured from a previous fight and Kagome needed to get some herbs to treat the wounds. They had argued, of course, but after Kagome had given him a good hard pat on the back (where the injury was) he fell to the ground. She won that battle, but they had continued fight until, eventually, they went off in opposite directions. Kagome, deep in thought about what a baka Inuyasha was, stumbled upon a demon feasting on the remains of a recently killed human. It noticed her before she could hide. He stood up and wiped the blood from his face and gave an evil grin exposing one very long fang.

He looked her up and down and chuckled. 'She is quite the beauty, and looks ripe. This is going to be fun.' He figured he'd begin the game by being charming, so he put on his most charming smile hoping to catch her off guard.

Her eyes, originally wide and scared, narrowed to slits when she realized what he was planning.

The demon, quite put out by this reaction, continued to step forward. He noticed his hands were still covered in blood. 'Well there's not much I can do about that, the girl already has me figured out so I guess it doesn't really matter.' He bowed, gesturing to himself, causing droplets of blood to color the ground.

"I am Masimo," he said with a grin. "And you lovely lady, might I ask your name?" The grin became mocking and Kagome glared at him taking a step back.

Amused, Masimo advanced. "So you're the silent type. That is such a pity. I like women who speak their mind." He took a couple more strides. "They also seem to be the ones who scream the loudest." He smiled revealing both fangs.

Kagome quickly drew her bow and arrow and aimed at him.

Masimo, a bit shocked, began to laugh. 'That girl thinks she can hit me?!'

An infuriated Kagome pulled the bow taught and let go. She would have yelled something but didn't want to give the demon any type of satisfaction. Instead she shot and prayed. 'Please Gods let it hit!'

Unfortunately he was exceptionally fast and dodged it.

She whirled around reaching for another arrow only to be grabbed by the shoulders and slammed up against a tree. His bloody claws dug into her shoulders painfully almost piercing the skin.

He had done this before, many times before. The reason he chose to hunt in the woods was so he could pin his victims to a tree and watch them struggle futilely to be free. In such close quarters, and caught unawares, they couldn't mask their fear; it emanated from them. But the best part was watching their eyes. 'They speak to me,' he thought. 'I see right into the core of them.' He shuddered at the thought, his body becoming aroused. 'This girl hasn't shown me her core yet.' He thought excitedly.

Kagome had closed her eyes at the impact and didn't want to open them, she knew what she would see. She could feel his hot breath quicken on her face. The rancid smell was almost too much for her to handle. 'Oh gods, I'm going to be sick.' She held her breath; combined with her racing heart she was on the verge of passing out.

Masimo was becoming angry. 'WHY DOESN'T SHE OPEN HER EYES!' He slammed her against the tree again. A small cry escaped from her and Masimo's heart began to beat wildly, but she still didn't open her eyes. He increased the pressure of his claws, breaking through her skin.

"OPEN YOUR EYES!" he growled. They sprang open revealing big golden brown orbs, the irises growing larger as she focused on his shadowed face.

'Yes! Yes!' He shuddered again. He could see her fear and desperation. He pushed himself against her, forcing her up to his height. The bark tore at her shirt and scrapped her back, and again she closed her eyes in pain. He licked her face, on the verge of losing control. He desperately wanted to see the look in her eyes, 'To see her core…' they were closed again and he lost his patience.

The feel of his tongue rake up the side of her face was revolting, and the trail of slick heat made her cringe. Her eyes flew open to meet his. His eyes were glowing green slits and his face was contorted in rage.

He was just about to grab her face and force her eyes open when they had opened on their own. He stared at her expecting, wanting, to see her exposed. Instead, her entire demeanor mirrored his own right down to the glaring slits. 'WHAT IS THIS?' his mind screamed. 'She's supposed to be terrified!' Her eyes held no fear just hate, contempt and disgust. She loathed him and that's the only thing her person emanated.

Baffled, Masimo pulled back - leaving just enough room for Kagome to knee him in the balls.

Human or demon, the reaction was the same. He let go of her and fell to the ground letting out a pained grunt. She grabbed her bow and arrows and was about to shoot him when another demon charged her.

This time she screamed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

Inuyasha, who had been looking for Kagome, following her scent, picked up on another: one of a demon. He also detected the scent of blood. 'SHIT! Kagome's in trouble! Why did she have to go off on her own!'

'Because you couldn't let well enough be and just enjoy your time alone with her,' His inner voice accused.

'If anything happens to her I'll never forgive myself.'

He had taken off by this point and was getting close.

Now he could smell her blood as well. He sensed a demon near and just caught sight of Kagome when she screamed.

He got there just in time to tackle her out of the way. He pushed himself up to inspect her. She was staring up at him dazed.

When she registered who it was tears welled in her eyes and she grabbed him to her, holding on to him like a lifeline. They stayed like that for a few seconds, silent tears washing her face while Inuyasha's was in turmoil. He pulled her away from him to get a good look at her. She was still crying, tears tracing the same wet tracks and gathering at her chin then dropping onto his kimono. She was in a state of shock. The dulled look in her normally lively, fiery eyes was enough to make his blood boil.

Inuyasha got up and slowly turned to the two demons. He growled deeply, a look of pure hatred in his eyes.

Masimo had recovered, and, with the help of his partner, was now standing and facing Inuyasha and Kagome. He began to laugh at the two of them, a huge smile broke out on his partner's face.

"What are you laughing at." Inuyasha growled. Masimo laughed again.

"So, you are Inuyasha, are you not? I have heard a lot about you. The hanyou in possession of the fabled Tetsaiga, and this is your miko able to destroy a demon with a single arrow." His eyes narrowed and his lips curled.

"I can see why you would protect her so. She is quite a piece of work. She tastes as sweet as she looks." He glanced at the somewhat recovered miko and gave her an approving eye.

Kagome mustered her strength and shot him a loathsome glare.

He chuckled.

Inuyasha, however, found none of this amusing, and pulled the Tetsaiga from its sheath. Masimo studied the Tetsaiga for a moment and returned his gaze to Inuyasha.

"That is a beautiful sword - made from your father's fang," he stated. "I admit that I am very excited to see if it lives up to my expectations." His eyes began to dance with excitement.

It made Inuyasha want to vomit. He was using up all of his self-control to keep from flying off the handle.

"All in all this is quite an unexpected surprise. Here I was seeking you out and you came to me. And, if I may say, this battle has started out quite well. You have a real incentive to fight me now. From the little taste I had of your miko, there is no chance I can leave without another."

She could feel his eyes on her, it was like they were boring into her, searching her for something. 'Like before, when he was looking into my eyes.' She tried to hide a shudder.

Masimo saw and chuckled. "Inuyasha, have you ever tasted her? She is ripe, ripe for the picking…"

That's as far as he got in his description when Inuyasha attacked. He had never been so enraged, it was overpowering.

Masimo's larger companion tossed him a sword that successfully blocked the Tetsaiga.

Inuyasha dealt a series of severe blows but each was blocked, sending sparks flying everywhere.

Kagome had her composure in check and fired an arrow. It streaked passed Masimo's face dangerously close. He risked a glance at Kagome and smiled.

"Batabaka. Keep her occupied." He said, grunting from the force of another blow. "But don't destroy her. She is mine." He licked his lips.

Inuyasha became even more infuriated. "You fucking piece of shit!!! I'm going to rip you apart for what you've done to Kagome!"

Masimo laughed and their fierce battle waged on.

With the cue from his leader, Batabaka's eyes, which had been watching Kagome the whole time, danced with excitement.

Kagome had already drawn another arrow and aimed it at Batabaka. 'If he's anything like Masimo, hopefully his speed will be decreased by his size. Hopefully.' He had the same gleam in his eyes as Masimo had had; they were filled with a disgusting, malicious intent. She cringed, steadied herself and shot.

Batabaka dodged it; though not as quick as Masimo, he was pretty damn fast. She reached for another and shot again and again, he dodged them and the next two.

His excitement was overflowing, his eyes took on a feverish glaze as he got closer to her. The anticipation excited him further.

Kagome frantically turned to find him. As she whirled he came at her. Taken by surprise she shot the arrow off to the side and it connected with his left arm. The blow forced him off to the side where he fell to the ground.

As soon as realization and pain hit him he howled.

Kagome thought her head was going to explode it was at such a pitch. She ran from him, towards Inuyasha, to see if she could get another shot at Masimo. She aimed, but they were moving at such a rapid pace she was afraid she would hit Inuyasha. 'I wish Inuyasha would lose his sword and change into a demon so he could rip his body to bloody shreds!' Horrified by that thought she looked at Inuyasha. 'How could you ever wish something like that!' Her hatred towards Masimo was so complete it was terrified her. She felt ashamed but was quickly drawn out of her thoughts by Inuyasha's voice.

"KAGOME! GET OUT OF THERE!" Inuyasha kicked Masimo away and did the same thing to the raging Batabaka who was charging at Kagome from behind. Masimo deflected the blow Inuyasha was about to inflict on Batabaka.

"Your fight is with me hanyou!" He again forced Inuyasha into battle. Kagome had already pulled taught the arrow again and aimed it at Batabaka. His eyes were glowing green and his breathing was heavy and ragged. He lunged at her and she shot at him. Both missed.

"KAGOME! RUN! GET AS FAR AWAY FROM HERE AS YOU CAN!"

END FLASH BACK

Kagome had run, and continued to run, all she could do was focus on running.

She didn't notice when Batabaka stopped chasing her, or when it started to snow.

She didn't know how long or how far she ran.

When the snow started to come down harder, and the basic fact that she needed a break, she slowed. Leaning against a tree she tried to catch her breath. 'Where am I?' She thought bitterly taking in her surroundings. 'The snow's getting bad and I'm already freezing.' She sat down and wrapped her arms around her legs, shivering not just from the cold, but also from the pain in her arms, back and legs. 'I hope Inuyasha's okay.' She rested her head on her knees thinking about what had happened.

"He saved me." 'Like that's anything new.' "But this time was different, he was different." She looked down at herself then and plucked at the fabric of her top. It made a sucking sound as the wet material was peeled from her skin. 'I'm soaked! I'm going to freeze to death if I don't get moving soon.' She sat for a few more seconds before getting up and trudging on.

The wind began to blow harder, forcing the snow to come down on her faster.

There was so much snow Kagome could no longer see in front of her. When she came to the edge of a cliff she didn't even notice. She wasn't noticing much by this point, her body was numb and the only thing she could feel was the tiny needle sting of the driving snow. Then she tripped on a snow-covered root and toppled over the edge, only mildly surprised. When she reached the bottom her mind welcomed the black abyss.