Kagome was sleeping peacefully, a deep slumber that was untroubled by evil doings or a dirty past. Her eyes rarely twitched, she never mumbled, nor did she toss and turn. Kagome could live with herself. Suddenly, however, her nose began to wrinkle.

Even in her sleep Kagome could smell an odor that irritated her nose. It was a strong, musky, odor that filled her nostrils. Compounded by this, Kagome subconsciously felt someone's eyes upon her. It was never a pleasant sensation, and it was the easiest to detect. Slowly, she pried her eyes open.

"Hello."

Kagome jerked awake at the sight of a large stranger hunkered down next to her. She gave a startled gasp when she realized that it was one of the Europeans from before. The noises were enough to awaken Inuyasha from a light sleep. Still, the now human warrior was caught off balance as he quickly caught sight of the two men standing menacingly close to him, their weapons drawn.

"What the hell is going on here!" he demanded of the surly strangers.

Inuyasha's bellowing easily grabbed the attention of Miroku, Sango, and Kirara who promptly ended their own rest. They too awoke to the unfriendly weapons, five guns and two swords. At this moment, the one crouching over Kagome stood up and faced Inuyasha.

In so many, broken, words he announced, "So sorry to bother. You our prisoners."

"We'll see about that!"

Inuyasha brashly jumped forward, pushing the guns aside and drawing his blade. Before the stranger could react, Inuyasha made a swing at him.

By split seconds, the European raised the side of his weapon to counter the blow. At the same moment, the man on Inuyasha's right raised his weapon, and pointed it at the resisting prisoner. A thunderous roar pierced the air.

A straight shot cut through the air and tore into Inuyasha's shoulder, entering at an angle from the back. The searing hot blow chipped the shoulder blade, grazed the clavicle, and exited out the front. Inuyasha bellowed from the devastating attack that forced him to drop to his knee. Barely able to grasp this pain, he was unable to counter a new assault to his front. The man he had meant to attack delivered a sharp blow to his chin.

"Inuyasha!"

Kagome's shrieks went without a response from her dearest friend. Instead, it was the gruff speaking European who answered, now standing over her, pointing his gun at her.

He repeated, "So sorry. You prisoners."

Shippo had watched the whole fiasco from behind the shrubs with sheepish fear. He had considered intervention, but the fearsome sight of the guns was an effective deterrent. He did have self-preservation in mind, but he was by no means a coward. The question before him was, actually, whether or not he would willingly risk the lives of his friends in a melee with an unknown enemy? Overhearing that they were prisoners, Shippo decided that anything "hasty" could result in direr recourses.

Shippo calmly watched as his friends were gathered together and disarmed. It pained him to see the Tetsaiga crudely snatched from the weakened Inuyasha's hand. An attempt to resist was met with a heartless kick to the downed prisoner. The torment was similarly painful when Kagome, Sango, and Miroku were also stripped of their weapons, though they did decide against action and were spared physical harassment. The men used Sango's Hiraikotsu as a tray to carry the sword, bow and arrow, staff, and other items used for combat. As soon as this was taken care of, the apparent leader spoke to the group. Shippo strained to hear what was being said.

"We tie this man up," the gruff speaker managed to say in regards to Miroku. "You women help carry this one."

Sango couldn't restrain herself anymore, "Why are you doing this? We haven't done anything to you!"

"Yes," the European affirmed while pointing, "but we want that."

Sango tensed when she cast a glance to Kirara. She then turned back to the grimy foreigner, vehemence pouring from her lips, "What for?"

A spiteful smirk distorted his already ugly features, "Practice."

The insulting sneer then faded and was replaced by a stern look and the leader of the invading men barked out to his followers. In reaction to this, the two swordsmen sheathed their weapons and proceeded to tie Miroku's hands together. As soon as this was accomplished, two of the gunners set aside their destructive machines and began looping the rope around the monk's abdomen, which the swordsmen tied into a knot. The swordsmen then looped the length of the rope around Kagome, Sango, and Inuyasha.

"Now, you no escape," the leader growled. "Help wounded man. Now!"

Though furious with their captors, the two ladies, with unbound hands, gently aided Inuyasha to his feet. Kagome was especially delicate as she slid her shoulders under his sore arm. Inuyasha held his free hand tightly to his wound.

"I told you," he growled through his bruised face, "they're conquerors."

The leader of the said conquerors was busy at the moment, too busy to hear the commentary. Kirara, whom the swordsmen had gone to tie up, absorbed his attention entirely. The jewel of their labors was quite reticent and refused to be touched by the violent strangers.

As the demon fussed and growled the leader began snarling as well, then turned to the prisoners. In his halting voice, he demanded, "Which of you own him?"

A solid wall of resentful faces was all he could find.

"I no fool," he growled even louder. "Who own him?"

The quiet crowd sent him into an even angrier pitch. Snarling, the leader grabbed Miroku by the robe and pulled him to one side. The gruff abuse was intermingled with the fact that Miroku was still on his knees.

"If you no tell," the barbarian howled, "I shoot him!"

The threat was made a promise when the leader leveled his own weapon at the defiant monk's head.

Sango's anxiety compelled her to answer, "She's mine!"

"Sango," Miroku warned, "don't."

Sango shot back with pleading eyes, "Miroku, don't act noble. Now's not the time."

Miroku answered back with a firm voice, "We don't know what these men plan to do."

"That may be. But, if we try anything hasty now, somebody will get hurt, or killed."

"She's right," Inuyasha spat. "You don't need to get your fool self killed when we still have time to think up a plan."

"Besides," Kagome interjected. "You never know when a bit of good luck might come our way."

Short of an exchange of obtuse winking, Miroku understood that a bit of hope rested with their missing colleague. The prisoner relented.

"Kirara," Sango spoke with a shameful voice. "Let them."

The proud feline bowed her head as the captors proceeded to tie her mouth shut and make a strong collar with the rest of the rope. The two men then walked her forward and grabbed up their spears again. At the same time, the two swordsmen extinguished the fire. In the darkness, the shadows across the leader's face had the effect of making him seem from another world all together.

"Come," he grumbled, "we leave."

Dolefully, the wanderers committed themselves into the hands of the barbaric foreigners. The plodding group began walking into the enveloping night.

Shippo was reluctant to do nothing, but overheard what Kagome had said. It was unclear what good or ill had come from his sneaking off to fill his stomach. Presently, however, it allowed him the opportunity to save his friends. As he jumped into the trees and began bouncing from branch to branch, he had to ask himself: How?

Samuels was quite proud with himself, though his features belied his joy. The hunt had proved successful beyond his wildest dreams. The only unfortunate effect was that they had to get at their task with ruthless means. Captain Marlowe wouldn't be pleased with abducting locals, something he verbally communicated to the subordinate. However, capturing the animal he had promised to find, alive, would smooth over the faux pas.

The live demonstration of the matchlocks on such a creature would prove their power and guarantee a sale for the Captain. The lord would then deal with his subjects who had been forced to comply. The plan had, thus far, worked, and would soon bear fruit. To insure their success, Samuels occasionally glanced over his shoulder.

Samuels had seen enough of his kind to recognize a monk belonging to the "heathen religion" native to these lands. With any luck, his lordship would be more interested in battlefield victories, rather than "black magic and devilish worship". More often than not, this had been the case with past clients. Often he chuckled about the savage warlords who weren't very loyal to their own convictions.

What wasn't funny was Samuel's knowledge of the warrior traditions amongst these "self-proclaimed holy men". Some of them were peaceful. Others were fanatics who fought like animals with no regards to themselves, the "sohei". Fortunately, English sailors are masters of ropes. No "holy man's tricks" could slip him free from a good sailor's knot. As added protection the swordsmen flanked the monk.

Behind the monk was the wounded man, obviously a warrior who was handy with a sword. It was good fortune that they wounded him at the start. It was a miracle that the young fool didn't get himself killed. The young ladies who helped the brash fighter also freed up the crew for other guard duties.

The first girl, the owner of the animal, was a rather common looking female, at least for these lands. Her appearance would suggest that she could be any peasant's wife, though her clothes were more expensive. Undoubtedly, she had a well paying job.

The other girl was far more obscene in her manner of dress. The men of these lands often paraded around with little shame in their appearance. But, women were held to a stricter regimen, even peasants. The strange girl with them at the moment wore such lewd clothing that it was shocking. Samuels took her for a woman of ill repute. Upon reflection, he considered that to be the reason that two women would be traipsing around the forest.

Regardless of their indecency, a savage marking of their heathen ways, Samuels still posted two gunners to their escort. Behind them came the litter of captured weaponry. Bringing up the rear, the remainder of the crewmen escorted their prey.

Even if it were domesticated, the creature in tow could rend the guards to shambles in moments. It was for this reason that Samuels maintained a determined eye on the owner. Any slight command could induce disaster. Samuels made sure to glare at the prisoners occasionally, to at least avoid having a look of fear that might convince the captives to take action.

In spite of his natural concerns, Samuels kept in mind that his job was accomplished and a handsome benefit was due to him and his fellow crewmen. With the captain's permission, they would enjoy a longer rest and a larger ration once they were back out to sea.

All they had to do now was make it back to the castle.

Kagome was severely frightened by Inuyasha's wound. It was non-lethal, of course. But, infection could always rear its diseased head. What was worse was the fact that the victim went of his way to complain.

"Damn wound. Damn human body. Damn foreigners!"

Kagome tried to console her friend, but only succeeded in receiving sharp nudges from the guards at her sides. Obviously, chivalry was lost on these men. Then again, she'd suspected as much for some time now. It wasn't a difficult task to realize it, after all.

How long had they been walking? They had already passed over the paths that brought them to the foreigners' hunting ground. Now they were trammeling on unfamiliar soil. Every now and again, Kagome would see lights from a village, but the Europeans gave these wide berth. Outside assistance was a lost cause; at least from humans, anyway. Kagome pinned her hopes to Shippo, wherever he was.

Out of the darkness, a foreboding shape rose up like a giant. Kagome tensed at the sight of the great stonewalls. Her friends instantly shared her feelings of dread. Everyone asked of himself or herself: "Where's Shippo?"

"I am quite pleased that your lordship should grace us with your presence," Marlowe, while speaking, bowed his head, with hat in hand.

The lord was indifferent and spoke with that kind of tone, "Marlowe, you say you have proof of your guns' effectiveness. May we skip over your flattery?"

"But, of course," said the Englishman with a smirk. "I hate too much formality anyway."

Returning the hat to its proper place, Marlowe waved his men over, the two carrying the slain animals. They stood stone still as Marlowe continued.

"Here, your lordship, you will see that these fierce creatures, though powerful against weaker foes were no match for our firearms."

The lord looked on, showing no immediate concerns. Instead, he turned and nodded to the man standing next to him. The man, dressed in a priest's robes, stepped towards the dangling corpses, a refined air over him. Prudently, he examined the bodies.

Marlowe, at the same time, rubbed his thumb and index finger together, anxiously awaiting the "charlatan's professional judgment."

After reviewing the bear, a lynx, a baboon, and even a large hawk, the priest turned to the lord and shook his head. At this sign, Marlowe made a severe frown and curled his hand into a fist at his side.

"I ask that you forgive me Marlowe," the lord apologized with smug confidence. "But, it would seem that the 'ferocious beasts' you've killed aren't what you make them out to be. The animals you've brought to me are little else and could have been killed just as easily by any of my archers."

Marlowe chaffed under the lord's thumb. To think that he had tired his men out for a fool's errand… Suddenly his resolve stiffened as he remembered Samuels.

"Your lordship," Marlowe defiantly stepped forward. "If you will have patience, there is one more hunting party that has yet to come in. I'm quite sure they will have…"

"Forgive me, Captain Marlowe," the lord retorted peevishly, "but you have used up all of my patience. I've entertained you and your men for long enough and I must humbly ask that you leave. I trust that your ship will have left port by daybreak."

Felling his heart quickening under his restrained emotions, Marlowe knew his game was up. At least he felt that way until a sharp commotion issued from the main gate behind him. As everyone turned their attention to this disturbance, one of the castle guards came bounding toward the gathering.

The guard stopped in his tracks beside Marlowe and quickly bowed. The lord, in turn, gave the guard a stern nod. The guard was instantly at the lord's side whispering passionately.

Marlowe was greatly interested by this. He leaned to one side and carefully studied his lordship's features. His curiosity was rewarded as Marlowe spied out a crack in the lord's emotional armor. Whatever the guard was revealing to him was enough to raise his eyebrows, flare his nostrils, and distort his lips. Seeing that he was being watched, the lord turned narrowed eyes and suspicious scowls to his observer. Marlowe then focused his mind on the distant gate.

As soon as the messenger delivered his report, the lord gave a low grunt, accompanied by a quick nod. The dutiful servant dashed off to fulfill his obligation.

"It would seem, Marlowe," the lord began.

Marlowe made a determined effort to retain his indifferent frown. A professional businessman, Marlowe easily knew that a change in the market had made him a viable commodity once again. To overplay his hand might damage him.

"It would seem you were telling the truth. To apologize for my imprudent judgment from before, we will have to discuss your proposals further."

Marlowe bowed to this intelligent decision, "I am grateful. When should we reconvene?"

"Soon," the lord hinted. "First, let us review what your hunters have brought us."

Marlowe turned to see the small procession traversing the courtyard. At its head, two of the castle guards flanked Marlowe's rescuer, Samuels. Behind them came the rest of Marlowe's crew, along with their trophies. The experienced captain was slightly disturbed by the people Samuels had brought in; the sight of the monk especially annoyed him. Perhaps, this is why the lord was looking at him with a xenophobic contempt earlier. Marlowe immediately began contemplating a contingency plan, their harrowing exit from the castle. But, the moment he saw the creature at the rear, he relaxed. Marlowe flashed a praising grin to his subordinate.

The lord cleared his throat. "It would appear that your men have brought a more respectable specimen for us to examine. It is most impressive that they have captured it alive."

Marlowe turned his head to the lord. With a tight-lipped smile, he bowed his head to acknowledge the compliment.

"However," the lord interpreted, "I am curious as to why they have captured these people as well."

Marlowe assumed a more businesslike posture and quickly questioned Samuels in their own language.

"Well, Captain," Samuels calmly explained, "those people are the animal's owners."

"What?"

"I know sir, it's quite the mystery to me as well. But, it's the truth. Capturing them was unavoidable."

"I see," Marlowe finished the conversation with a bit of consternation. The agitation was quickly evaporated by Marlowe's pragmatism.

In a cordial tone, Marlowe translated the information to the lord. Being sure to make the situation more favorable to the henchman's methods, Marlowe "lowered himself" to the lord's level. In language that the lord would understand, Marlowe spoke unflatteringly of the captives.

"It would seem, your lordship, that these people were captured, in league with this demon and were practicing dark arts of evil, within your domains."

As the lord raised an eyebrow in a moment of genuine interest, a voice exploded from behind Marlowe.

"That's a lie!"

Marlowe looked over his shoulder to see who dared. Seeing her defiant face and her shocking apparel, the Elizabethan merchant-mariner was quick to realize who it was.

She railed on, "These men kidnapped us because we're Kirara's friends, not her masters!"

Marlowe bit his lip. Turning to the lord, Marlowe softened his countenance, "Just the kind of talk you can expect of a sorceress hoping to cover her wicked ways."

Before an entire chorus of repudiation could be hurled toward the assembly, the lord spoke. Opening a fan and cooling his frustrated nerves, he addressed Marlowe.

"I do not doubt that you are lying to me Marlowe."

Instantly, the sea captain began rethinking the means of escape.

"However, you have lived up to your part of the bargain. If this creature is, indeed, a demon…"

The priest had but to glance at the creature to realize that it was giving off a powerful aura. Discerning this, he gave a nod of approval to his waiting patron.

Faithful in the authenticity of the creature, the lord continued in more cordial tones, "Then, I shall find it beneficial to reconsider your wares. Without regards to your methods."

Once again, Marlowe breathed easily. Despite claustrophobic moments, he'd never surrender his line of work. This adventure would make rousing stories for future social events. For the present, he returned to the matters at hand.

"That is most satisfying," Marlowe reciprocated. "I take it that you are ready to purchase?"

The lord turned a restraining eye to the forward acting businessman, "You get ahead of yourself. I did not say I was completely satisfied. If this demon is a friend to these travelers, then your vaunted weapons could have easily subdued the creature by means of coercing its companions. Your guns may destroy simple flesh and blood, but I have yet to see if the same is true for a powerful demon, such as this."

"Now hold on a minute," the one in red sharply protested. "Who do you people think you are?"

"Inuyasha, you need to relax," the woman on his left cautioned, trying to restrain him for the sake of his damaged shoulder.

"Leave me alone," he grumbled. "These guys need roughing up for all this kidnapping. They're even talking about killing Kirara!"

"He's right," the scandalous girl added. She then cast ugly looks to the Englishmen surrounding them. "You people have no right to do this to us, we've done nothing to you!"

Her ill-willed glaring rested on Marlowe. The scowl was matched by one of Marlowe's contemptible stares. Kagome then shot an independent-minded look to the stern warlord, "And how can you just let them wander the countryside, carrying random people away as prisoners?"

The young girl's impudence was quickly reaching the same level in the opinions of both Marlowe and the lord. They both realized how this girl could associate with such a wild company.

"I believe," Marlowe calmly stated to the lord, "we should continue our meeting in calmer surroundings.

For a brief moment, the lord and Marlowe saw eye to eye. An authoritative nod brought some of the castle guards to the opinionated captives. The warriors proceeded to remove them to a holding cell. An expected wave of complaints was sent forth. Amidst this, Marlowe paid special attention to the most vocal girl. While the prisoners were being roughly pushed to another part of the courtyard, Marlowe turned to the lord.

"Pardon me," Marlowe deftly spoke, "but perhaps you may indulge me for a moment, your lordship?"

The lord looked on in silent expectation.

"May I take that one," he asked, pointing to the girl with bare legs. "So as to ease the burden of holding so many prisoners."

The guards stopped their activities. A shock rippled through the five companions. Hardest hit was the girl in question. Everyone remained silent as the lord closed his eyes in silent meditation on the subject.

Why does he want me?

After an uncomfortable minute, the lord decided, "Very well. It was your men who captured them. Therefore I won't deny your little whim. Take her."

With a turn and nod from Marlowe, Samuels and two other men separated the girl from her friends. A cut of her connecting rope and she was plucked away. Ignoring her protests, Marlowe turned to the lord.

"Now," Marlowe responsibly asserted, "as to your purchase?"

Again the lord remained meditatively silent for a moment or two. In spite of the high-pressure sales tactic, he spoke, "Yes. We will have a live demonstration of your weapons later. First, we will need to properly restrain the demon."

Acting on this signal, the priest stepped forward, immediately followed by two apprentices under his tutelage. Before the creature could react to the priest and his assistants, the holy man produced a strip of paper with symbols on it, a sutra. Marlowe instantly recognized the native charm. In a moment, the priest slipped the sutra beneath the rope collar around the beast's neck. To the English, the only effect seemed to be that the creature was relaxed.

Having "properly" restrained the creature, the priest motioned for the tow apprentices to shepherd it to another part of the courtyard. Using staffs decorated with charms, the apprentices calmly motivated Kirara to a far corner. Once it was in position, a tame pussycat, the master spiritualist went about constructing a frail fencing of sutra scrolls, string, and small sticks. As this was being done, the lord continued the conversation.

"It will take some time for the priest and his disciples to prepare the arrows for our little demonstration."

Marlowe attempted an interruption, but was, himself, interrupted.

"Before I can allow you to shoot the demon, I want my archers to be able to finish the creature, should you fail. If the arrows are unnecessary, then I will buy your guns for the agreed upon price."

Only one more stipulation, only one more and, then, the transaction could be completed. With absolute confidence, Marlowe smiled and bowed to the lord.

"Most agreeable, your lordship," he skillfully fawned. "My men and I will return to our ship. We will then return when all is ready. Which will be, when?"

The lord declared, "You shall be sent for, at the earliest convenience. As I imagine, you must want this business resolved as quickly as I do."

Marlowe smiled once again, bowed a final time, and walked with this crewmen, their new guest in tow.