Chapter 5

The Arch

A huge blue stone arch appeared, it seemed to lead into the mountain. On the arch were symbolizes that represented the passing of time, the moon waned on one side and waxed on the other, both meting at the top with the new moon.

Marashi stepped past the arch into complete darkness, he didn't need light for he knew this path by heart, it's every turn did not hinder him, he kept going.

Further and further into the mountain he went, Marashi could feel the weight of it around him. There were many twists and turns and other paths ways that veered of into nothing.

After many hours a single torch could be seen burning off in the distance over two large oaken doors.

He headed towards them, the doors opened automatically and he walked through into a large round room. In the far corner was a dais with a single throne chair on it. The chair looked like it was carved out of an oak tree, the roots served as legs, the only comfort was the ice blue cushion that lined back.

The room was empty, and Marashi walked towards the dais. He stopped at the base and placed the half demon gently on the ground.

"So, you brought him after all, and not a scratch on you," She said with curiosity. Marashi looked back up to see the Lady on her throne. She always did that, the appearing out of nowhere when one wasn't looking. "Hmm, I thought he would have been more of a problem, shame." The witch demon stood up in such a fluid motion that no human was capable of. She stepped down off the dais on stood over Inuyasha.

"He's a handsome one, isn't he?" she said glancing up at the bear.

Bowing his head, "Yes, my lady." he said.

Something caught her eye, she bent down and fingered the neckless that was around Inuyasha's neck.

"Interesting," she whispered to herself, "this may come in handy. Yes, I know exactly what to do with this." One of her eyebrows raised in a mocking fashion, "It looks like someone has had him on a tight leash."

She knelt down beside Inuyasha and placed both hands on the neckless and started chanting in an unknown language. Blue light wrapped around hers hands and moved down to her fingertips. The witch demon said something else and the light shot from her fingertips to Inuyasha's neckless. "This should keep him in line," she laughed.

Inuyasha moaned and his eyes fluttered open.

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Inuyasha awoke to a stone ceiling. He felt so groggy and had a huge headache. Where am I?, he thought. He laid there confused giving his brain time to shake off whatever had been given to him.

Slowly it all came back, running in the woods, a clearing, Marashi growing bigger, the horrible mist, DANGER, his mind screamed.

Inuyasha tried to move but his lower body was paralyzed.

"Good evening Inuyasha." said a voice. He turned his head, the only movable body part, to met the person who spoke.

When he saw her his mouth fell open, she was the most beautiful women he had ever seen, curly black hair hung loosely over her solders, icy-blue eyes that sparkled, and a lacy blue dress that hugged every curve.

There was a strong pull on his heart, What the.. he closed his mouth.

"How do you know my name," he snapped. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

The strange women chuckled, waving her as if to wave away the question. "So many questions. "I have been keeping an eye on you Inuyasha for awhile now, and there's something I need you to do for me, it's small, but you'll find out later."

He spat in her face, "What makes you think that I'll do something for you!"

She raised her hand and whipped away the spit, he could tell that her anger was rising. The pull on his heart squeezed harder, he winced at the new pain.

"You see Inuyasha the neckless on your neck, well I know what that is for, someone was able to keep you on a tight leash."

His face colored, "What did you do?", he whispered.

"Well let's just say you're my dog now, and I hold the leash," and with this the pull constricted his heart. He screamed in agony, he tried to move his hand to his sword but he still couldn't move, then as soon as it started it stopped.

Inuyasha gasped for breath, "I'LL...KILL YOU!"

Anger flashed across her face, "Do not threaten me half breed. I control you now, don't forget. Your life is in my hands, and I can easily take it away." She stood up and walked back to her throne. Before she sat down she turned back to Inuyasha with a bemused look. "Oh, and I forgot to remind you that tonight's the night of the new moon." Her head tiled back as laughter engulfed her.

The pain returned full strength, she flicked her wrist and Inuyasha could move. He arched his back as horrendous pain racked his body, piercing cries shook his throat.

His hair turned black, and his claws disappeared. Inuyasha's demon powers were gone, he was human again. He couldn't handle the pain anymore, he blacked out.

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It was now dark out and they were still in the woods. They were getting closer though with every step.

Shippo thought to himself as they walked, he had known that Marashi was a demon but his scent had thrown him off, he smelled innocent and now Inuyasha was in trouble.

Kirara stopped and perked up her ears, a growl escaped her throat.

"What is it, Kirara?" asked Sango stepping close to her. Kagome and Miroku stopped also, their faces full of curiosity.

All of a sudden Kirara sprang forward running at full speed through the trees. Sango, Miroku, Kagome and Shippo ran to try to ketch up with her.

Shippo strained his ears, he was trying to find what had caused Kirara to act such a way. Then he heard, it was faint but it was still there.

"Kagome," he yelled and picked up his pace so she could hear him. "I know what made Kirara act the way she did."

"What was it?" she asked.

"It's screaming, someone is screaming. It sounds like Inuyasha but its far off." said Shippo. He looked scared.

Kagome's face whitened, "God no..." she whispered under her breath and ran harder.

She called for everyone to stop and they all climbed onto Kirara's back. With a growl Kirara jumped and flew out of the trees. They started to follow the sound that only Shippo and Kirara could hear.

"It stopped," whimpered Shippo, "the sound stopped!" And he started to cry, even Kirara seemed distressed. They landed and Kagome jumped off, tears streaming down her face.

"Inuyasha," she cried into her hands, "where are you!" She felt so lost and if that really was Inuyasha was he still alive or..No she would not think about what could have happened to him. He's still alive, she told herself, he must be. All I have to do is find him.

(A/N) Please review what you have read, I love most of the previous ones. Thanks!

You're probably thinking "What will happen next?" well its for me to know and you to find out. hehe .

Also I would like to say that I am a newbie to Inuyasha and that I know that Inuyasha might be a little out of character, but hay, so are other people's characters/stories.