Naraku held Kagura by the neck and attempted to read her mind. Surely she was lying to him again and her antics were growing old. No matter how many telepathic demons he devoured, he had not successfully implemented their abilities. 'Too bad.' He thought to himself. He could tell from the look of terror in her eyes that she had many secrets to hide. 'She's even crying… how pathetic.' He released his grip and she slid to the floor in a lump.
"Kagura… do not defy me. The price is too high. Do not forget that I hold your very heart in my hands."
"I'm not lying!" She shook her head and the remaining tears broke loose from her eyes. She continued to look up at him in anger. She knew her news would anger him but she had not expected to be suspected of treason for it. She had to be careful. He had caught her trying to run away once, and her thirst for freedom had cost her his trust.
"Tell me again… from the beginning this time." He leaned down and grabbed her hand, gently lifting her to her feet. Her gaze turned from anger to bewilderment. He could be so cruel and kind so kind in the same moment.
He was giving her a second chance to explain the situation. She had made the mistake of giving him the news flippantly the first time. Eager to see his reaction, she didn't take the time to check herself. Her eyes were dancing as she told him – her delight at his failure was written all over her face. 'Has he already forgiven me?' she thought to herself. He was narcissistic and egotistical, and yet hated himself at the same time. He was corrupted by his own evil and this self hatred within him lashed out in fits of rage, followed by what seemed to be remorse.
"I followed them for a while and could not detect a change in her. So I approached the whole group for a closer look. And…" she paused to read his face, hoping he would not take out his rage on her again.
"And… the priestess remains unscathed. She shows no signs of… deterioration or ailment." Kagura gulped and took a step backward.
'Let her tremble.' Naraku thought to himself as he pondered the situation. Perhaps his plan had gone awry but that didn't mean it was hopeless.
"What of Sesshomaru?" Naraku demanded.
"I thought it best to return here and bring you this news." Kagura lied. She had seen Sesshomaru. It had been from afar but it made no difference. His newfound power radiated off of him like a beacon in the night. "Do you want me to go after him?" Kagura asked. She hoped he would tell her "no" and she would be off the hook, but she wasn't that lucky.
"Yes. Track down Inuyasha's older brother. If he is unchanged, kill him. If not, kill the young girl he travels with and bring her to me."
Kagura nodded and turned away, grumbling to herself. 'How absurd to think I could kill Sesshomaru! Or get close enough to that weak little human he protects. He said it like its so easy … ' Kagura paused in the hallway when his meaning hit her. 'Does he mean for me to die in battle?'
> > > > > >
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken squealed as his lord and master approached. "She has been taken!" he continued. "That wind wench has come once again and taken her away!
Please do not kill me, Lord Sesshomaru!"
Jaken was now in tears. He knew his master would not tolerate his failures much longer. He was right.
"Jaken, why have you not gone after her?" his master replied.
"My Lord?" Jaken asked somewhat confused. Sesshomaru glared down at him with an icy stare.
"Do not make me repeat myself, Jaken."
Jaken continued to stare back at Sesshomaru becoming more and more confused. He had never seen the Lord of the Western Lands react like this.
"I will go after her, my Lord?" He asked dumbly.
"Go." Sesshomaru commanded.
'Why is he so concerned for this pesky human girl?' Jaken thought as he rode away on Ah Uh.
Sesshomaru heard Jaken's thoughts and realized his newfound powers were growing even stronger. 'This ability will become most useful in battle.' He pondered to himself as he flew in the direction of a group of possible allies.
> > > > > >
"What are you doin' here?" Inuyasha blurted when Sesshomaru seemed to appear out of nowhere.
He caught Kagome's eye and she blushed, thinking of their latest dream. Quickly though, she snapped herself out of it and pretended to be very interested in a nearby shrub. She mumbled something about "Medicinal herb…" to Sango and wandered closer to it.
"Where is Naraku?" Sesshomaru demanded.
"I don't have a clue, but if I did you would be the last person I told. I'm taking down Naraku and you better stay outta my way!" Inuyasha unsheathed Tetsaiga and took a battle stance against Sesshomaru.
"Don't tempt your fate today, little brother. You would not survive it." He chided.
"Sesshomaru, why is it that you're searching for Naraku?" Miroku requested.
"He has taken Rin. It's another pathetic plan to get to me… and unoriginal at that." He glanced over to Sango and she sadly turned away.
"Aaaahhhh!" Kagome screamed as the innocent looking shrub transformed into a spiny, green, and hungry demon. She stared in shock and froze. It flew towards her with immense speed – sharp spindles extended and ready to lacerate its prey.
"Kaaggoommee!" Inuyasha cried. But he was too late – Sesshomaru had already stepped between the monster and the maiden. With one trash of his poison claw the spiny demon disintegrated.
"How is it that you have been traveling with my "little brother" all this time and he has not taught you how to defend yourself?" He secretly smiled at her knowing this was the second time he had come to her rescue.
"Hey! What are you tryin' to say here?" Inuyasha interrupted defensively.
"Maybe you could come with us, Sesshomaru." Sango blurted.
The whole group stared at her in shock.
"Naraku has Kohaku…" she began, "and now Rin… he is a monster." Her voice hitched in her throat. "I cannot stand by and just let him get away with this. Come with us, Sesshomaru." She continued, "We could all work together to finally take down Naraku!" The pain of what had happened to her brother along with knowing Naraku was planning this tactic once again was too much for her to bear. The pain was all over her face as her eyes pleaded with the group.
Before anyone else spoke, Sesshomaru responded:
"Demon Slayer, I accept your offer."