Well, Kyoumi here. I am happy to announce that this is a chapter! And you are a person!

Actually, I'm just not quite sure of what to put in this little part right here... Oh... my dog just twitched really badly. I don't know what that has to do with anything, just thought I'd tell you.

Chapter Five

"….People always get hurt." Tori answered. She didn't wait for a reply this time. She's said and waited enough as it is. She turned into her eagle form, her golden wings reflecting the morning light, and took off into the air.

Tori felt a little bit bad for leaving Hitsuji there, but she couldn't let it get to her. She flapped her wings once, picking up a little bit of speed. Her keen eyesight spotted a couple of dark clouds in the distance. That wasn't good. Tori started her decent and soon found a cave nearby. Taking shelter in there, her mind started to wander.

The rain started to fall in a steady beat. I wonder if Kagome and the others are looking for me. I hope not... But knowing what they did last time, I'm sure they're out there right now, looking for me... And what about Hitsuji? I wonder who he was running from?

- - -

Hitsuji scratched the back of his head, his curly hair bouncing a little bit. "Why is she so cold?" Hitsuji asked himself. Suddenly the sound of feet made him turn around.

"Her scent fades here. The rain is washing it away," InuYasha's voice said through the trees. InuYasha suddenly popped out from behind a tree and saw Hitsuji.

"Who the hell are you?" InuYasha asked roughly. Hitsuji blinked a couple times before smirking.

"My name is Hitsuji. Who are you?" the sheep demon asked.

Kagome and the others appeared from behind the trees also. "I'm Kagome. That is InuYasha. Over here is Sango, Miroku and Shippo," Kagome explained. A little meow came from the cat demon on Sango's shoulder. "Oops. And that's Kirara."

"Nice to meet you all."

"Tori's scent disappears around here," InuYasha said again, sniffing around. The rain didn't help him. He looked at the remains of the fire not too far away.

"Who are you looking for? I may be able to help," Hitsuji asked, looking excited.

"We're looking for a demon who goes by the name of Tori. She's a bit shorter than I, and she is an eagle demon. She's wearing black, skimpy clothes..." Kagome said, trying to think of other things to say.

"So that's her name! I didn't realize until now that she didn't tell it to me," Hitsuji said, smiling a little bit.

"So you've seen her?" Sango asked, looking at Hitsuji carefully.

"Seen her? I fed her and forced her to get some rest over there!" Hitsuji exclaimed. "She ran off just a little while ago. That way." He pointed in the direction that Tori flew off to, pointing high into the sky.

"Great. Thank you for your help, Hitsuji," Miroku said, bowing.

Hitsuji laughed slightly. "You think you're gonna leave me out of this? No way. I'm coming with you." Everyone seemed slightly surprised by this, except for InuYasha. He was just upset.

"First we have to go find that bird and now you want to come with us? What next?" InuYasha yelled, showing his anger.

"InuYasha! Sit," Kagome said, making InuYasha fall to the ground, face first. A groan from the ground was heard before Kagome said, "Of course you can come with us. We would be happy to have you with."

The group started to travel on land, using whatever trails they could find. It was hard, but soon InuYasha caught a faint scent. Because of the heavy rain it was harder to get anything, but he did get something. He followed it, leading the others through the thickening forest.

Then, BAM! Hitsuji ran straight into a wall of rock. Smart one, kid. Shippo jumped off of Kagome's shoulder and went over to the wall. "It's a wall of rock."

No. Way.

Hitsuji slowly sat up, holding his head, when he heard something. "You hear that?" he asked. The only one who said yes was InuYasha, and he answered by nodding. The two demons led the group to the entrance of a cave.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" InuYasha yelled at Tori, who jumped up at the sudden shout. Tori seemed to tense and looked almost ready to run off.

Kagome looked at Tori sadly. "Why do you keep running off?"

Tori looked at the ground. "You mean she's done this before?" Hitsuji asked. Everyone nodded. He just shrugged. Tori looked at Hitsuji and then at the ground. He was dragged into this now, too.

Kagome looked at the small fire that Tori had made recently. It warmed the cave up nicely. She sat across from Tori, the fire the only thing blocking their view. "Does this have anything to do with that Ashi fellow?"

"ASHI?" Hitsuji yelled, jumping up suddenly. He looked at Tori and walked over to her. Kneeling down he looked straight into her eyes, finally seeing her emotions. And she saw his. Behind that exterior was a sad person. Not nearly as sad as Tori, but sad.

"You worked for him, didn't you?" Tori said simply.

Hitsuji nodded. "Slave. I made sure the kitchens and some other, non-important rooms were cleaned," Hisuji said, looking into the fire. "You?"

"Wait, wait! Now, will someone explain what's going on here?" InuYasha shouted.

"Yeah, we're left completely in the dark," Shippo added, looking at the two demons from the continent. Tori breathed in a shaky breath.

"Ashi is a powerful demon. He controls everyone in his kingdom by fear, and if they don't do what he says, they'll be killed. He rules a small part of China, though the humans in his part of the country do not know he is a demon. Nor do they think that he is as horrible as he is. They just know him by how they are ruled over. He treats the humans better than the demon slaves and workers at the castle," explained Tori, starting a long story that will take a couple paragraphs.

"Because he needs a steady supply of demons, every year he takes a child from the demon families that he either doesn't like or betrayed him. Hitsuji and I were some of those demons." Tori looked at the fire and blinked away tears that she felt coming.

"I was forced to clean the kitchens and a couple other rooms, but I was let off lightly compared to other people. He had a huge castle, and I only had six rooms, three of them where kitchens. Other people had seven to twelve very large rooms to clean, and if you didn't clean them, then you would be sentenced to death," Hitsuji said, telling his part of the story.

Tori took a deep, shaky breath. "I was one of many concubines." Kagome, Miroku and Sango gasped, and Hitsuji looked at Tori with sorrow. Shippo and InuYasha remained clueless.

"What's that mean?" InuYasha asked. Kagome crawled over to him and whispered into his ear. Slowly InuYasha's eyes widened and he slowly glanced around the room.

"Though, none of the other concubines were really... used as much. The others were only used if I was sick or he wanted 'variety' as he put it," Tori admitted, fat tears starting to roll down her cheeks.

Kagome slowly got up, and surprising Tori, went over and hugged her. Tori just sat there, her tears slowly falling down her cheeks. "No matter what, we're going to help you."

"You can't... You don't know what he's capable of... That's why I keep running away. I don't want you all to get any more involved then you already are," Tori explained.

"You're an idiot," InuYasha said bluntly. Kagome turned and glared at him. Well, at least he got over his shock. "You think that we're just going to leave you to fend for yourself when you can hardly fight against the weakest demons? Sure, you're fast, but that won't help. And besides, we're already mixed in this mess if Naraku is involved!"

Kagome smiled, looking at InuYasha softly. InuYasha... You're hiding your true intentions. I can tell... Kagome let go of Tori and looked at her carefully. "We're going to make sure that you are going to get through this," Kagome said.

"We're going to get rid of Ashi," Sango added.

"And we're going to set you and Hitsuji free," Miroku said. Tori looked at the group and their determined faces. Even Shippo got in the fighting spirit, and he didn't even know half of the story. No matter how hard she tried not to, Tori had to crack a smile.

"Really?" Tori asked.

"On one condition," InuYasha said, glaring at Tori. She tensed up a little bit, and looked at InuYasha carefully. "No more running away, dammit! You know how hard it is to track you down? Sheesh!"

Tori laughed slightly, and then Kagome cleared her throat. "I think it would be best if we got some new clothes for you. That way we can rest and you'll be warmer in this weather," Kagome said. Not to mention it'll stop Miroku from looking... she added in her head.

- - -

After the rain subsided the next day, the group set off to Kaede's village. Almost immediately after entering the village, the girls set off towards the dress maker's place. Whatever.

"What's with girls and clothes?" InuYasha asked as Kagome, Tori, and Sango walked away. InuYasha's answer had to deal with the ground meeting his face.

Later that day the guys sat around the fire, Hitsuji examining the strange noodles in a cup that InuYasha seemed to love. The girls came inside the hut, but Tori avoided everyone's eyes. Even though everything had changed since she and Hitsuji had told the others about Ashi, she had felt slightly relieved. But the others had also treated her differently. It's not like she hadn't expected it, though. The only ones who didn't act awkwardly around her and avoided eye contact was Shippo, Hitsuji, and Kagome. Though, Shippo didn't count because he didn't even know what was going on.

"Where's your new clothes?" InuYasha asked, taking a huge bite of ramen.

"It'll be about a day or two until the clothes are finished," Kagome explained, smiling brightly. "Wait until you see the beautiful pattern Tori picked out! Luckily we made that extra money from slaying demons."

"WHAT!" Miroku said, dropping his Styrofoam cup and spilling the rest of the ramen he was eating. His eyes were wide and he was staring at Kagome like she was destroying his dreams.

"Miroku! Settle down! We still have plenty of money," Sango scolded. "I did some extra demon slaying while you were off flirting." You could practically hear her growl, and even InuYasha looked slightly scared. Hitsuji blinked a couple times and looked over to Miroku, a little surprised about this comment.

I hope that that woman gets my kimono finished soon! The new clothing is much warmer and it can move much better... Tori thought to herself.

The next two days Tori was scarce. She stayed in trees and watched over the village as people ran around to other's houses. She quickly learned faces and routines of people, and she even met some of them. There was a girl, Aya, who visited a certain house both of those days, and took every chance possible to pass buy it or watch it. Late the second day, Tori came from her spot in the trees and went to talk to Aya.

"You're in love with him, aren't you?" Tori said immediately after landing in front of Aya.

"What?" Aya exclaimed, looking at Tori like she was mad, but blushing at the same time. "Who are you?"

"I'm Tori, but that's not important. There's a boy in that hut that you keep watching. What's he like, Aya?"

"I.. I don't know what you're talking about!" Aya said, turning away from Tori and quickly walking away. Tori laughed and started to follow Aya. She turned around. Tori received a glare from Aya and she shouted. "Quit following me!"

Tori's light golden eyes shone and she walked over to Aya. "You should go talk to the fellow."

Aya started to walk away again, but this time not as fast and with a solemn face. "He doesn't even know I exist."

"Then make him know! Show him how much you care about him, and really get to know him instead of just visiting him. And who knows, maybe he feels the same way that you do," Tori said, smirking.

"Why are you doing this?" Aya asked.

"Doing what?"

"Helping me."

"Because you need it," Tori said, patting Aya on the shoulder. "See ya." Tori turned and jumped up high, leaping into the forest and out of view.

Aya sighed and looked after her, and then back at the hut of her beloved. Maybe she could get to know him better.

- - -

Kagome walked into the hut and smiled brightly before saying, "And now, introducing TORI! Wearing the finest new clothes made by a great seamstress in the village!" Kagome moved away from the door and held out her hands to show off Tori as she moved aside the curtain. Slowly she walked in, wearing a black kimono, the pants black with red fabric near the hem. Her haori was also black, but with a red flower pattern. It fit her body perfectly, seeing as she got it made especially for her.

Miroku smiled. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you're a whole different person!"

"Keh. She doesn't look like anything special," InuYasha said, laying back down on his side and resting his head on his hand.

Kagome glared at him. "InuYasha! Sit!"

InuYasha's face instantly went to the ground, but it didn't seem to have the same effect of him standing up.

Hitsuji smiled. "You look beautiful," he said, looking at Tori with glazed over eyes. Tori blushed and looked at the ground.

"Thank you, Hitsuji-kun," Tori said, looking at her feet as she played with them. They were still bare, but at least she had clothes that... You know... covered her.

Sango came in behind Tori and looked around. "Hey... Where's Shippo?"

"I dunno, I haven't seen him all day," InuYasha said, laying down and putting his hands behind his head. Dogs sure do like to sleep.

Suddenly a low rumbling sound could be heard outside, and a few screams. Tori was pushed aside as everyone bolted out of the room to see what it was. Tori quickly followed and gasped as a wall of earth was going towards the village, too fast for comfort. It was like a tsunami of dirt, flying directly at them all. InuYasha ran out in front of them all and took out his Tetsusaiga. "WIND SCAR!" shouted the half-demon, as the attack went towards the wall of dirt. It fell over on itself and sent piles of dirt all over the place, and dust lingered in the air, stopping anyone from seeing very far.

As soon as the dust cleared the group gasped in unison.

"It's the same demon from before!" Sango shouted. Kirara growled at the earth demon that had come after Tori before.

"Kobun!" Hitsuji shouted.

"That's his name?" InuYasha asked. "Well, Kobun, prepare to die!"

"STOP! HE'S GOT SHIPPO!" Kagome shouted, tears stinging her eyes. The group looked carefully at the demon, and they all gasped when they saw the unconscious kitsune in his hand, swinging by his tail. Kobun smirked.

"So, I see that Hitsuji has also escaped. You're not as much as a concern, but we should still probably take you back. We don't want all of our secrets to be told by a useless lamb!" said the demon. He used his free hand to wipe a strand of his short black hair out of his face.

Hitsuji glared at Kobun and growled. "Just because you sold your loyalty to Ashi doesn't mean that you're better than me. You were once my friend. You liar."

"Your sister was my friend, too, and she didn't mind my change in loyalty," Kobun said, smirking, knowing he had hit a tender spot. Hitsuji stood his ground and clenched his fist.

Tori took a couple steps forward and held out her claws. "Let Shippo go!" she shouted, her anger flaring.

"Don't tell me you've still got some fight in you! This is getting tiresome. You never stand up for yourself." Kobun sighed. Truthfully, Tori didn't know where all this bravery was coming from, either.

"Give him back!" Tori said running towards Kobun, her new kimono flying in the wind as her quick footprints threw up piles of dirt. She jumped up and jumped on Kobun's chest, making him fall on the ground. Though, his grip was still tight around Shippo's tail.

"I'm gonna have to teach you some MANNERS!" Kobun said, and at the last word he grabbed Tori's leg and threw her off of him. She landed on the ground a couple yards away, face first in the dirt. Tori quickly got up and ran after Kobun again. This is when the others got over the initial shock of Shippo being captured and Tori actually fighting. InuYasha ran after Kobun with his sword drawn, the other boys followed suit, and Kagome and Sango rode on top of Kirara readying their weapons to attack.

Kobun ran away, going into the forest, where the others followed. "You won't catch me!" Kobun yelled, throwing up random walls of dirt.

Soon Miroku fell behind in the maze of trees and running into the dirt walls, but Tori kept up with her speed, and InuYasha with his combination of that and strength. The girls had to stay behind to help Miroku.

Suddenly, as InuYasha and Tori got closer, a tornado of dirt and debris rose in the air. The pillar of junk was too high to see the top!

"SHIPPO!" Tori yelled over the noise of the strong wind. Tori turned her head slightly towards the wind, but the last thing that she saw was a large branch coming towards her. Then she blacked out.

There's the chapter! Interesting, eh? Sorry it took so long to write. Eh... ; Oh well. At least I got it up! What will happen to Shippo? Will the group get him back? And will Aya prove to be important in the future? I don't know, because I'm not writing the next chapter! That's the fun of this fanfic, because it's unpredictable!

Oh, and Kobun literally translates to "henchman". Ha ha... Funny, eh?

Why am I saying, eh? I'm not Canadian... Keep looking out for the next chapter, to be written by Maki!