No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever…

She had never been so thankful for land. Digging her nails into the wetted earth, she pulled herself from the water, her legs remaining partially submerged as she allowed herself a moment of rest. Her cheek against the shore, her chocolate eyes opened, staring into nothing. 'Inuyasha…' Her eyes widened in an instant, small arms fighting to pull her completely out of the river. Scrambling to her feet, she desperately searched the water, running down the riverbank as fast as her tired legs allowed. "Inuyasha! Inuyasha!" Her heart began to pound in her ears, a sick sensation gathering in her stomach. 'You can't be dead…You just can't be!' "Inuyasha!"

"Kirara!" Sango cried, scooping the small cat into her arms. She instantly searched the animal's small body for wounds, relieved to find only minor injuries and nothing too significant. The demon feline purred weakly as the exterminator hugged her close, rubbing her cheek against its fur. "Thank goodness you're alright…but what about…"

"Kagome?"

Miroku was the first to turn, followed swiftly by Sango and Shippo. Kagura stumbled from the bushes, her hand covering the gaping wound in her side. Stumbling, she fell to all fours, breathing heavily before looking up to the three concerned comrades.

"I sent her to find Inuyasha." She lowered her head. "She never returned."

She collapsed to her knees, tired and weary, dried tears staining her cheeks. Although, the sun was shining brightly, it offered no warmth to the girl as she maneuvered to sit against a tree, drawing her knees to her chest. How was it that Inuyasha had survived countless ordeals that would have killed even a full demon, but yet, this would be the one to take him down? Shaking her head, she angrily wiped away the new tears, refusing to believe what was seemingly apparent.

'He isn't dead. I know he isn't dead!' Closing her eyes tightly, she forced away those last moments with her comrade. 'He was human…There's no way he could have…' Choking back a sob, she covered her eyes. "Oh, Inuyasha." Minutes turned into hours and Kagome never moved, her head lolling forward once and a while as she fought to stay awake.

"What's this?"

"A woman…" A greedy, delighted voice concluded. Chocolate eyes snapped open and focused on the men in front of her. Two dirty older men, obviously bandits, gawked at her as if she were a piece of meat dangling in front of two hungry lions. Scooting on her backside, she pushed against the tree behind her as if her small force would move it out of her path. "She looks just about as bad as that strange boy."

Something sparked in her eye. 'Boy!' "Where? Where is he? What does he look like? Is he alive?" She jumped up from her spot on the ground, eyes darting back and forth between the two.

"Well, she seems to be in better shape."

"Don't worry, pretty lady. You'll be seeing him soon enough."

She took a step back, her eyes widening just before her vision failed and she collapsed to the ground in a heap.

"You didn't have to hit her so hard, idiot. We don't want that beautiful face all bruised up."

Pain was the first thing to register. A never-ending throb in her jaw that seemed to pulsate through her head. "Ow…" Rising slightly, she attempted to lift a hand to her aching cheek, finding them to be bound behind her back. "Where…?" She began to question, gazing at her new surroundings. The hut was far from pleasant, reeking of alcohol, sex, and blood with quite a mess cluttering the wooden floor. Turning up her nose, she glanced to the door, the loud voices echoing from outside making it apparent that her captors were close by. 'What do they plan on doing with me…?' Brow furrowing, she began to struggle against her binds, wiggling herself right off the mat and onto the dirty floor. "Ugh…"

"Feisty little wench, aren't you?" Kagome cried out as the bandit snagged a fistful of her hair and yanked her to her feet, snatching her chin to look her over. "Not very pretty, but you'll serve your purpose."

"Where's the boy?" She asked, a slight quiver to her voice.

"Huh? Oh, him." The obvious leader jerked his head to the left, signaling the red, unmoving heap in the corner. Kagome's eyes widened. A pool of dried blood coated the ground beneath him, bruises and cuts covering his hands and feet.

"Inuyasha…"

"He's been dead for hours. Lazy men of mine just haven't been in here to move him."

"No…" Kagome could feel the tears stinging her eyes and did not fight to keep them from falling. She could pull her gaze away from the boy in the corner until she was forced back onto the mat, the dirty old man hovering over her, eyeing her like a predator would its prey.

"Just stay still and it'll all be over before you know it."

Giving Inuyasha once last glance, she turned her head and closed her eyes, whimpering softly as her clothes were torn from her body. She felt so used. So alone. 'Inuyasha…I'm so sorry…' Silence. Opening one eye, she stared at the shadows on the wall. 'Shadows!' Turning swiftly, she felt more tears threatening to emerge.

"I ain't…dead…yet, bastard." Inuyashed wheezed, driving the man's own sword deeper into his back. With a gurgling moan, the bandit collapsed…and landed right on top of Kagome. The miko instantly freaked.

"Get him off! Get him off me!" She could feel the blood seeping onto her naked skin, running down her stomach and legs. Kneeling beside her somewhat unsteadily, Inuyasha pressed a hand to her mouth and brought a finger to his lips before nodding toward the door. The drunkards outside had apparently figured the screams were being brought about by their leader and thought nothing more of it, since they didn't immediately burst into the hut. The human boy rolled the body off of his comrade, his face instantly burning seven shades of red. Kagome gave him a quizzical glance…before a cool breeze hit her delicate skin. Squealing she attempted to cover herself with her hands.

"Here." Inuyasha, keeping his gaze turned away, removed his kimono and offered it to her. Kagome gladly accepted, tying it in the same fashion she had when she was forced to wear it once before. Biting her lip, she reached to gently touch his shoulder.

"Inuyasha…are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He whispered hoarsely. Placing his hands on the cold floor, he attempted to stand, collapsing when his shaky legs refused to support his weight.

"Inuyasha!" Instantly at his side, Kagome surveyed the damage. A deep cut plagued his right shoulder, identical ones scattered here and there on his torso. Lacerations and bruises covered his face and neck. He looked like a man that just crawled out of the pits of Hell. There was also the matter of figuring out why he was human…when the sun had risen and long ago set once more. "We have to get…"

"What the hell!" The bandit's shadow covered the pair as the door flap was pushed aside, allowing the moonlight to flood the small hut. Glancing down at the boy in her lap, she could feel the sweat beginning to coat her face and neck.

'What do I do?'

OMG, an update! -Gasp- Sorry again for the LONG lapse of time between updates. Life has been hectic and I trying to get back into the groove of writing. Thanks for the patience everyone!

Angel