A/N: Okay, I know it's been more than a week, but I had some serious writer's block. There's also school, two updates on College Life and the first chapter of a brand new story idea. So try and cut my some slack. Here's a solstice gift for you all.
Review Response
Kagome miko goddess: Read and maybe you'll find out. I'm glad you love it.
Till Evermore: Well you know how I am with plot twists. I guess you've got a point. But there's never perfection in people period, but criticism also helps you get closer.
Chapter 17: The Search is on
Miroku looked into the distance with a cold, hard stare. "Do you think we will find her soon Master?" Hachi, his humble raccoon servant asked. "I am beginning to tire. Where shall we camp for the night?"
"Nowhere." Miroku replied. "We will be camping nowhere."
Hachi was confused. "What do you mean Master? We have to rest at someplace."
"No! We will not rest until we have knowledge of Kagome's whereabouts!" Miroku sternly commanded the shape-shifter.
"But Master-"
Miroku cut off Hachi's complaint. "Are you questioning my authority Hachi?"
"No Master." Hachi sighed in defeat. It was times like this he regretted ever agreeing to work for the monk. Did here really expect Hachi to fly him anywhere he desired without rest until exhaustion took him? Hachi did not detect any sarcasm in Miroku's voice. He was dead serious. "Master, do you think Lord Inuyasha or Lady Sango will discover Kagome first?"
Miroku did not reply. His thoughts were all on Kagome's safety. Hachi sighed in resignation. His master's mind was obviously on other things. This was going to be a long night.
Far to the west of Miroku and Hachi, Kagome and her kidnapper were getting close to their destination. Kagome, however, had no idea who her kidnapper was or where they were headed. Her hands had been bound and a blindfold covered her eyes, stopping her from beholding her captor. Kagome had been fairly co-operative while being captured. She couldn't struggle for fear of falling off whatever was bearing her and her kidnapper through the air. "Who the hell are you, you crazy bastard? Where are we going?" Kagome demanded. She got no response. She was either being ignored, or she couldn't be heard due to the rush of the wind going by. "Answer me, God damn it!" Kagome was struck sharply across the face.
"You will speak when spoken to!" her kidnapper commanded sharply. "And I think you mean crazy bitch." Kagome's blindfold was torn from her eyes, and Kagome found herself staring into the blood-red pupils of none other than Kagura the wind-witch. "And we are going to Naraku's castle, but that knowledge will do you little good. I suppose you will be dead soon anyway."
The first thought that came to Kagome's mind was "Did Kagura take the jewel?" Kagome put a hand to her breast and could feel the vial that held the few jewel shards she and the others had come to possess. She sighed in relief.
"I hope you have the jewel shards with you by the way. On the off chance that Naraku won't kill you, if you failed to deliver the jewel he will definitely be reconsidering." Kagura continued.
"Go to hell!" Kagome snapped. She spat in Kagura's face. "Both you and Naraku! If it's the jewel you want, you'd be better off killing me. I won't be surrendering it to the likes of hell spawn like you and Naraku!"
"All this time with Inuyasha has made you bold, and for that, I loathe you. Maybe I'll just take your advice!" Kagura threatened, opening her fan. "Trust me, if it weren't for Naraku's orders, you'd already be dead, bitch!" Kagura suddenly grabbed a handful of Kagome's hair and shoved her off the feather. "Maybe this will remind you who's in charge. Will you co-operate, or should I stain the forest floor with your remains?"
"I'll be good." Kagome agreed, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. Whereas she didn't want to be dropped, it didn't feel too good to have gravity struggling to rip her hair out from the roots. Kagura accordingly hoisted her back on to the feather.
"Now do as I say and stay quiet until we reach the castle. Is that clear?" Kagura asked her voice laced with venom. Kagome was told to stay quiet, but had also been asked a question. She settled on nodding. "Good."
Not too far behind Kagura and Kagome were Inuyasha and Shippo. Shippo held on tight to Inuyasha's fire rat robe as the half-breed dashed through the midnight forest. "I hope Kagome is all right. And that we find her soon." Shippo whimpered.
"You and me both kid. We'll have to rest come tomorrow night though." Inuyasha replied.
"We can't rest! Kagome could be in danger! We have to save her NOW! We can't rest tomorrow night!" Shippo protested.
"Look kid, I don't like to admit it either, but both of us have limits. Tomorrow night is the turning of the cycle. It would be dangerous for us to continue any further."
"It's dangerous for us not to continue! Kagome may be in danger right now! We can't afford to stop just because you turn human tomorrow. Kagome comes first. You love her, don't you?" Shippo scolded his older companion.
Inuyasha turned away. "Even if I do, it's too late for us now. She's in love with Miroku."
"You know that part of her heart will always be with you. She still loves you as a friend, but if you stop our search for a little thing like turning human for a night you'll only be letting her down." Shippo said.
Suddenly, Inuyasha was knocked over. He looked up but saw nothing. He cautiously took a step forward but felt a resistance. "What the hell?" Inuyasha asked no one in particular. He extended his arm forward and felt something against it. It was like an invisible wall. Inuyasha figured it was some sort of shield. "Must be a barrier. Stand back kid." he warned Shippo. He drew his Tetsuiga, and it began to glow a brilliant scarlet. He cleaved the barrier easily and it dispersed to reveal a castle. "Shippo, go find Miroku and Sango."
"Why? What is it?" the innocent kit asked.
"This castle is Naraku's. His odor is thick in the air. I also smell Kagome in there." Inuyasha informed him.
"Does that mean Naraku is behind all this?" Shippo inquired.
"I'd bet my life on it. Were in one hell of a fix. Go now!" Inuyasha commanded.
"Right." Shippo took off to the northwest to find Miroku and Hachi whereas Inuyasha hopped onto the low branch of a tree and began to devise a plan to rescue Kagome.