Chapter 2: The Rescue

In his eyes, the sun was setting faster than usual. He could feel his inhuman speed decreasing as he grew tired. I can't change now Inuyasha thought I have to get back to Kagome . He took a quick glance up. The sun had almost completely fallen behind the trees. Damn it. I'm not gonna make it. Suddenly his still demon nose picked up the scent of blood. He stopped for a moment. Then he started running again, the saint inside him running towards the scent. His now human legs made it harder for him to move through the trees.

"Such a beauty of a thief," said one of the male villagers, "I don't know whether to punish you or have you marry me."

Two men held a young woman be her arms from behind. She glared at the men around her. The had beaten her and ripped the front of her robe, exposing parts of her breasts.

"Answer us!" said another villager, "What is your name wench!"

"You bastards don't deserve to know my name," she said still staring daggers at them.

"Feisty one, isn't she?" laughed a villager. He held his dagger to her neck, "I don't think you wanna get hurt anymore, do you?"

She spit at him. "You stupid wench!" He sliced her arm with his knife, the blood dripping on the floor.

"A woman like you needs to watch herself and learn her place! Maybe this will teach ya…" As he raised his dagger to take more of her blood, a hand grabbed his wrist from behind. The villagers turned and saw long black hair flowing in the night wind.

The dark-haired man easily beat up the villagers and they took off running.

Then he looked at the woman still sitting on the ground, "Are you alright?" Inuyasha asked. He reached out his hand to help her up. She took it, but flinched because of the pain in her arm. He knelt down and slowly pulled her up. She stared at him.

"Is this your village?" he asked softly.

She shook her head, "I'm lost… I'm not sure where I am right now. But I must get away from here now. I fear that those awful men will come back."

Inuyasha nodded and picked her up bridal-style, those it was a bit harder since he was human. He ran as fast as he could. She held on to his neck, still staring at him. He finally stopped and gently placed her by a tree. He sat down in front of her.

"Who are you? Where did you come from?" she asked.

"I'm Inuyasha. I was just passing by when I saw that you were in trouble. So what's your name?" he asked as reached for the bottom of her robe and started to lift it.

She snatched it away from him, "What the hell do you think you're doing!"

"Relax, I was just going to treat your wound." He ripped the bottom of her robe and wrapped it around the wound on her arm.

"My name's Akemi…I'm in search of my village…"

"In search? So you're lost?" he asked.

"Yes. I was kidnapped and abandoned about a week ago. I didn't know where I was so I've been wandering and stopping at villages for food and rest. I was sure I was getting close today, but I grew tired and hungry so I stopped by a river and fished. But I didn't know the fish were on a reserve, so the villagers came and ambushed me. And that's when you came in and saved me. By the way, I never got to thank you for that, so thank you," she looked at him.

"Don't mention it," he said, "so you think your village is near here?"

Akemi looked around at the trees, "It's hard to tell because it's too dark. I guess I'll have to wait 'til morning…I really wanna go home," she said sadly.

"I'll take you home in the morning," Inuyasha said feeling a bit sympathetic.

"You will?" she stared at his violet eyes, "But how? We may be too far away from it."

"Don't worry. You'll be back by tomorrow. I'll help you." he smiled.

"Really?" she looked overjoyed, "Oh thank you, Inuyasha!" She reached over and hugged him tight, never wanting to let him go.

W-what's going on, he thought. Reluctantly Inuyasha put his arms around her.

Akemi closed her eyes, soaking in the warmth of his body. She hadn't felt so comfortable since she was taken away from her village. She didn't want to move. Her rescuer was holding her and that was all she needed at the moment. She hadn't felt this way about anyone before. Is this what love feels like? she thought.

These human emotions always get the better of me thought Inuyasha I shouldn't be doing this… but I don't want to let her go. I- I can't do it. Do I feel this way when I'm with Kagome?…

Akemi pushed back from Inuyasha but didn't let go of his arms. There was something about him that she just couldn't put her finger on…What was different about him? Was he really just a normal human?

She didn't care either way. She was to enwrapped in the moment. She wanted to make it last forever. She leaned in slowly and pressed her lips against his with a soft kiss.

Inuyasha opened his eyes wide at the unexpected sign of affection…and returned it. All thoughts had suddenly escaped his mind and all he could think about was her…

She pulled back once more, "Inuyasha, once we get back to my village…will you stay with me?"

Inuyasha blushed slightly, "I-I can't…I have to go home, too."

"Oh…"she said looking down at her knees, "I understand…" She sat back against the tree, "Well then, we better get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us."

Inuyasha sat beside her. He heard he drift off into her dreams. What am I gonna do now? he thought right before he fell asleep.

End of Chapter Two