{Disclaimer: In case you don't know, I bought Inuyasha over the weekend. ...Really, I did! Want me to prove it? *holds up an InuYasha T-shirt that has Inu, Kag, Kouga, Kikyou, Sesshou-kun, and Naraku*}

NL: Teehee... *hugs shirt of Inu-tachi* I've got both the Inu brothers.... *giggles evilly*

Inuyasha & Sesshoumaru: *sweatdrops and look worriedly at each other* Uh, run?

NL: No, y'all don't have to. *goes offstage and puts shirt away before coming back out* I just got done looking out the window. It's raining. Yum, worm-stench. I hope it storms. Love thunderstorms, they're so soothing! Anyway, sorry to all of you for the delay, and also, I will be away for most of this chapter, so if it gets a little crazy, don't blame me. Anyway, let's just begin the chapter.

*~*Last Time*~*

Kagome could smell his confusion, thus her question. Before he left, she smelt rain and salt. 'Was he... upset over something?' Her head full of questions, Kagome rolled over and fell into a dreamless sleep. "...Sesshoumaru..."

Chapter Seven

Exploring

Kagome woke up once again to Akira cleaning, her human disguise still in place. 'Poor Akira...' Kagome thought mournfully. She opened the curtains and stepped out, stretching. 'I slept like a rock...' Kagome groaned as her stiff limbs came numbly and slowly back to life.

"Pleasant morning, milady! I trust you slept satisfactorily." Kagome just groaned back, though she did offer a partial smile, sleep literally drooling from her lips. "Uh, Kagome-sama... You're salivating..."

"What?" Kagome looked to the mirror and immediately began wiping at her mouth. "Well, that's embarrassing."

"Do not be troubled, milady. Sesshoumaru-sama did the same-" Akira's eyes widened as she let that secret slip. She immediately flew to her knees before Kagome and started pleading. "Please, do not let Sesshoumaru-sama know that I revealed that to you! Please! I beg of you!"

"Whoa, whoa, don't worry! I won't tell him!" She knelt beside Akira and smiled at her. "I promise." When Akira looked up at Kagome, she nodded and beckoned her to stand. "So, what's this 'meeting' he has to go to today?"

"It pertains to demon lord relations and conflicts."

"Oh, so it's like a business conference."

"I know not your words, but I feel that you conceive what I speak of." She moved to the closet-type structure and opened the sliding door. "Now, milady, what would you like to wear today?"

Kagome looked at the clothes in thought. After a moment, she asked, "Do you have any miko attire or something with trousers?"

Akira's face fell. "You, a woman of your stature, wear pantaloons?"

Kagome blushed slightly. "Well, from when I come from, it's acceptable that girls and women wear pants."

Akira shrugged, but not before giving a look of disapproval, and turned back to the closet. "Let's see... Miko... Miko... Ah, here we are... I know not where he got these, but I believe they will fit you just fine...." Akira stepped out of the closet holding up a white haori and navy blue hakama.

Kagome walked up to the girl and seized the outfit gently. "Yes, this will do..." She walked behind a changing screen and began to change. As she slid the haori over her shoulders, she found that the bust was a bit snug, as well as the hips in the hakama. 'Figures...' She stepped out to find that Akira had left. Letting another sigh escape her lips, Kagome walked out the door and walked aimlessly down the hallway.

'Stupid Sesshoumaru... If he hadn't kidnapped me, I wouldn't be here, away from all my friends... Of course.... if it weren't for Inuyasha, I wouldn't be in this predicament. It's just a large circle of blame I'm creating, isn't it...'

'You can't help it. Your soul's been in chaos ever since Kikyou was resurrected and it was absorbed by the shell of her.'

'So who's fault is it, really? Is it mine for even venturing into the well house at home in the first place?'

'The only people, well, even though they're not really people, that are at fault are the gods. Even then, they're not to blame. I have spoken to them, between the time of Kikyou's death and your birth, and they told me of their plans for you. Do not reprimand yourself, or anyone else.'

'But... What about Naraku? Wouldn't it be his fault entirely for setting Inuyasha and Kikyou against each other?'

'The way I see it, I believe that it is Kikyou's fault for caring for Onigumo, Naraku's predecessor, while he was in the cave. Had she not taken care of him, he would have never felt the lust he did for her, which caused the series of events that led up to the present.'

'Still... I think I shouldn't be so upset with Inuyasha. I mean, he's still in love with Kikyou. If it were the same with me... I don't know... But I nevertheless don't understand why I am falling in love with Sesshoumaru, when he is more heartless and cruel than Inuyasha... Why...?'

Kagome began reproaching herself for developing feelings for the taiyoukai, not noticing that the interior of the palace had changed dramatically. Instead of having a bright appearance with plenty of candles to make the fortress seem almost cheerful, there was one candle every four feet. The paintings, once serene and beautiful, turned to war murals and demonic horrors. It wasn't until she bumped into one of the statues, a bear youkai, whose claws were extended and sharpened to life-like precision, that she caught these alterations. "Holy shit!!" she screamed. Her head turned frantically as she ran throughout the halls trying to find a door. When she finally found one, she slammed it open, hustled through the threshold, and flung it shut with a loud snap. She leaned her back against the door and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, she about screamed again.

There, right in the middle of the room, was the full youkai form of Sesshoumaru about three-quarters the size of what he really was when transformed in that state. He had a sort of smirk on his face, his left paw lifted regally above his right, his tail curled slightly above his back. He looked so majestic, and so life-like, Kagome could've sworn it was really him. 'Wait a second...' The dog's nose twitched, its eyes opening simultaneously. As he spotted Kagome, he let out a loud snarl before transforming back.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, you mustn't move! If you want your painting on the walls in the foyer, be stationary!" a youkai artist squealed. She stood up and walked out from behind her canvas and stormed over. Her face had many creases, showing that she was an ancient youkai with much wisdom, at least to Kagome, and many years of experience under her belt. She looked from the fuming taiyoukai to the young miko and politely excused herself. "I shall return if my lord wishes it." Sesshoumaru nodded curtly, and the demoness strolled out of the room.

"Why have you badgered me?" Sesshoumaru dangerously whispered.

Kagome's eyes widened. 'Oh, that can't be good...'

"Answer, wench!"

"I-I..." Kagome stuttered. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking, due to my thinking absent-mindedly. I ran into an ivory bear youkai statue and freaked. I'm really sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama. I did not mean it... Actually, you were so still, I thought you were another statue when I walked in..."

Sesshoumaru's stoic face grew a small smile. "You thought I was... a sculpture, did you...?"

Kagome nodded and gulped. "Hai..."

Sesshoumaru's smirk grew into a small grin. "Follow me..." he bid quietly, walking past her in a brush of cloth. She turned around to see him opening the door for her. "After you," he said as he bowed politely, motioning with a sweep of his arm. 'I cannot wait to see her expression when she finds out her punishment...' he thought sadly. 'It will hurt, but she needs to see why I am so angry for her walking down this hall.'

'The shit's about to hit the fan...' Kagome thought as she stepped once more through the doorframe. Sesshoumaru walked through after her, closing the door softly. He walked in the opposite way from where Kagome had run from. As they sauntered down the hall, an eerie silence engulfing the couple, the corridor became emptier, plainer. The walls, though clean, had a dingy appearance to them. 'I wonder where we are...' Growing larger, a door appeared at the end of the hall. "Sesshoumaru?" she asked as he stopped.

"Kagome, please do not be angry with me, but I must do this to ensure that this incident will never happen again until I wish it so." He turned to her, concern shining in his eyes. "So, I must show you how it is to be a servant of a taiyoukai, who is held by youkai scriptures." He opened the door slowly, revealing a sight that had scarred many before this.

Kagome's eyes widened as she saw both youkai and human slaves working together, higher rank youkai having dominion over all of them. Their clothes, or what was left of them, were dirty and different shades of brown, depending on how old or young the vassal was. Kagome felt that familiar tingle of tears building in her eyes. 'How... How horrible!' A young kitsune girl, who held a striking resemblance to Shippou, looked up at her in disgust. A youkai-watchman spotted her staring at Kagome, and proceeded to whip her until she fell to the ground, her body surrendering in a bloody heap into the filth of the disease, waste-ridden floor. When she brought her crimson, tear-stained, smudged countenance out of the dirt, her fiery-red hair stuck to her face as she once again looked at Kagome, this time with pleading eyes, their teal hue screaming, "Help me! Please!"

Kagome's lip trembled as a solitary tear fell for the girl. 'I'm so sorry...' She began to sob silently, wishing that she'd never ventured down this passage of the palace. Kagome turned and cried into Sesshoumaru's chest, mumbling incoherently.

Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around Kagome before shutting the door. He said nothing, but he transferred his thoughts to hers. 'I'm sorry for displaying such a horrific sight, but what if you had come to this door and I was not here?' The only response he received was a stifled sob. 'That's what I thought. Until you are prepared for another sight like this, please do not risk coming down this way, understood?' When Kagome nodded, Sesshoumaru smiled kindly at the top of her head, a good seven or eight inches below him. 'Good.' He tightened his embrace on his cherished, kissing her hair softly. 'Let us return to the other part of the castle.' They walked together, arm in arm, in silence, with an occasional sniff from Kagome.

*~*

Miroku and Sango sat beside the fire, watching as their meat roasted, the flames dancing and licking the carcass. Shippou had gone off with Kouga and Kirara to get more firewood, and Inuyasha was at the top of one of the nearer trees, scouting the area for demons.

Miroku looked up and blinked. "Anything, Inuyasha?" He got silence in response. With a sigh, he turned his gaze back to the fire. "I can't believe it. It's been two days since we lost Kagome. How far away is Sesshoumaru's palace?" His blue eyes, shining with concern and worry, gazed into Sango's cinnamon brown. Her eyes were glazed over as she stared into the fire. "Sango?" The young woman blinked once. 'Poor Sango... She's lost her entire family, and now the girl she considered her sister has disappeared as well. She's lost all her loved ones.'

'Except for you. Go and comfort her. She needs it.'

'But if I try, she'll get angry and slap me away,' Miroku thought remorsefully.

'Not this time. She wants you to, and you know it.'

Miroku sighed and stood up. Walking over and sitting beside his friend, he wrapped a comforting arm around her, pulling her into his embrace. She suddenly turned and cried softly into his chest.

"Oh, Miroku... I'm so scared for her. How many times must we lose her to our rivals?" she sobbed quietly.

Miroku smiled kindly and lifted her face, placing his fingers beneath her chin. "Don't fret, Sango. And keep smiling. We'll find Kagome-san soon. And until then, just remember, if she's in Sesshoumaru's...care, she will not be harmed. The taiyoukai of the west may be a demon, but he's not a monster that destroys for the fun of it. I think he always has a reason for hurting or killing another person."

Sango nodded, snuggling into his encircling arms. "Hai, you're right, Miroku." She then added gently, "Thank you, houshi-kun."

"Miroku, Sango! Get Shippou and Kirara. I've found the castle," Inuyasha shouted as he descended into the firelight.

*~Meanwhile~*

The time for lunch, for Kagome had skipped breakfast, had approached sooner than the girl anticipated. The young miko found that she had not had an appetite since the abominable scene earlier. 'I'll just go out into the meadow...' she thought solemnly. As she stepped out into the sun, she regretted not going to her room for her sunglasses. 'Figures, it's a wonderful day, and I feel completely awful.' She looked around in the tall grass, the turf swaying like a sea of green. Stepping into the lush foliage of the ground, she sighed with melancholy aversion. 'Grass... It's so lucky it doesn't have feelings.' She found a spot where the grass was a bit shorter, and flattened it down into a bed as she laid down and closed her eyes, soaking in the sun's warm rays.

She woke, what seemed to her, at least, a few minutes later. However, the sun had moved closer to the west horizon, signaling to her that several hours had passed. 'Great... Just great... I fell asleep in the grass...' She sat up and stretched when she suddenly heard a shrill cry. Her eyes widened. 'I know that voice... It's gotta be...' The victim wailed again, and Kagome whispered, "Rin..."

*~*

Sesshoumaru heard two sharp screams coming from near the grasslands. He stood from his desk in his den, sniffing, only to find the scent of a youkai and freshly spilled blood. He wasn't entirely concerned until he heard a woman say, "Rin...", his eyes widening and flashing red as he rushed from the room.

*~*

Kagome ran as fast as she could toward the sobs she now heard. "Rin, I'm coming!! Just hold on!" she shouted as she pumped her legs harder, her hakama proving to be a good choice of clothing for the day, since a kimono skirt would have slowed her down. Branches snagged her haori, cutting through the cloth and slicing her skin. Kagome didn't notice this as she continued to press on, searching for the missing child. Another scream, and Kagome increased her pace to as fast as her legs could carry her. Spraining her left ankle, she tripped over a root penetrating the ground. Pain shot up her leg into her abdomen, and she started to limp, though keeping her speed up. She didn't bother to yell, she needed every breath she could get. 'I'm coming, Rin! Please, don't die on me!' she thought desperately. Her eyes widening, she smelled a sudden scent of jasmine and cinnamon, along with thunderstorms. 'Sesshoumaru?'

'Hai, koi?'

She began to slow down slightly, her body finally giving in to fatigue. As she panted, trying to regain her breath as she continued to run, she thought, 'I'm... almost exhausted. If I get there, and I have no energy left, Rin is doomed.'

'Understood,' Sesshoumaru responded. "That is why I'm picking you up." And with that, Sesshoumaru gathered her up bridal style and carried her toward Rin's blood's scent, along with the laughing youkai's voice.

The spectacle was a terror to behold. Rin was dangling by her foot in the osprey's hand, which was at least four feet from the ground. Her body was mangled, her eyes were unfocused as she stared at her two guardians, pain resonating from them, and her right arm was at a disgustingly odd angle. Life blood literally dripped from her injuries, pooling in a sick pool that ran under the bird's clawed feet. "So, my lord has come to witness my meal, has he?" His icy blue eyes moved from Sesshoumaru's golden orbs to Kagome's brown-turning-hazel eyes. "Oh, and he has brought his own to join my luncheon! And a miko at that!"

"Sesshou...maru-s...sama.... p-please...." Rin begged quietly, vital fluid trickling from her mouth.

Sesshoumaru put Kagome down gently before stepping forward. "Release the child," he snarled menacingly.

"And if I do not?"

"Then you shall become the refreshment of other youkai who enjoy roasted wild fowl."

The osprey demon shrugged. "If that is my only punishment, then I have no other choice..." And with that, the feathered fiend threw the girl into the air, his mouth turning to an enormously large beak. "Down the hatch!" Then, Rin was gone.

****************************************************************

NL: Hey, what do you all think? Good chapter? Believe it or not, I didn't cry at all except for the slave girl. The reason I didn't cry for Rin is because I know what's going to happen next.

Sesshou: And if you know what's good for you, you will bring Rin back.

NL: Don't have a cow-...or a pup, Sesshou. I assure you, this is not the end of Rin.

Rin: (from somewhere unseen) I HOPE NOT!

Inuyasha: Well, NL, never expected a dark side to come out of you like in this chapter. I'm...proud of you, in a sense.

NL: (shrugs) Thanks, I guess... It was hard, though, because I don't like to make people depressed.

Kagome: I think they're still going to be mad at you for the cliffy...

NL: ¬_¬

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PREVIEW: Chapter Eight, We're Coming

Rin disappeared. What happened to her? Only the osprey knows, and now Sesshoumaru is out for revenge. The bird-brain reveals his name, bragging about something as well. Hey, where'd Kagome go? Now that both of the people Sesshoumaru treasure the most have vanished, Sesshoumaru goes to his limits, turning full youkai on the fowl. So where does the title We're Coming come in? Wait to find out. I've got a surprise for all of you.

RECOMMENDATION: The Breaking Point, by Striking Falcon

"She's a fire to his ice, a passion to his flame. Together, they set the stage ablaze, but a secret in her present and his past could extinguish them forever."

She has some of the best S/K stuff I've ever read. Oh my gosh, this one was so funny, though! I couldn't stop laughing! Kouga shows his wits by saying, Fuck you, to an unnamed person at this time. Anyway, Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Kouga are part of the Blessed Curse band, who do mostly opening acts. Sesshoumaru is the lead singer and one guitarist, Inuyasha on the drums, Miroku on the keyboard, and Kouga as the other guitarist. So what happens when they need yet another member, when they don't even get along amongst themselves? What?! It's a girl?!

REVIEW RESPONSES:

Hime Shinidama no Megami: Thanks, you sure can! I'd be honored! And arigato for the review!

FluffyPrincess: Nope, it's not writer's block. It's school, parents, social life, and my attitude that gets me in trouble. That's cute that your dog's name is the same as Sesshou's! Thanks for the review!

Sailor Mini Venus: Sure, try out your skills at writing a Sess/Kag! Oh, and I'll be sure to check out your stories (when I get ungrounded from the 'net)! Thanks for reviewing!

Theresa-sama (quidditchqueen@cox.net): Gomen nasai for taking so long to update. Nope, I don't have writer's block. Thanks for reviewing. Oh, and do you know what Richard Cox's homepage URL is?

blacklustreangel (blacklustreangel@email.com): Thanks! For both the review and the definition!

HiraikotsuSlinger: Sure, you can have bonus points, Ric-ster, and thanks for the definition! I got so many reviewers giving me the meaning of "koi." Oh, and if you read FluffyPrincess's response, you'll see why I haven't updated lately. And thanks for being here for me, Rici. You're truly my numba one fan! Luv lots, DNQ!

Ginny Brenn: Correct! Bonus points are awarded to you. *giggles* Thanks for the catch phrase, but I think I'll stick to Laterz. But for this chapter, I'll use it to humor you, okay? I appreciated your praise, and sorry for taking so long.

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NL: Well, that's all I've got for you today. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and sorry if it was really disheartening. I was just in the mood for something to make the characters crestfallen. Ya know? I mean, there are so many fics that have nothing dark in them, and I write so many "happy" fics, I decided to change my tune and try out some drab. Anyway, please review! I'd really appreciate it. Oh, and sorry for delaying on the updating. But hey, Spring Break's coming up, so I'll be doing lots of writing. And then, during the summer, that's when I'm gonna be writing up a storm!

ONE MORE THING, I have an important question. I have a friend whose boyfriend is always around. They both love each other, I'm absolutely sure of that. Anyway, we had a pep session on Friday, and I asked Kacy if she wanted to sit with me in our grade's section (it sucks being a freshman). She pointed at Adam, and I asked, "Can he live without you for once second?" And she shook her head. And now I feel really left out, I guess. I just feel like Adam's being a hog when it comes to spending time with Kacy. I never get to do any girl talk with her because he's always around except for in our one class, and we can't even talk in it because it's choir. Is it bad for me to feel jealous and angry because I can't hang with Kacy and have an occasional girls' night out with her? Is it okay for me to feel angry when he's always tagging along? I mean, Adam's a great guy. He's one of my good friends now, but still, he's so possessive of her! And he's SO TOUCHY! For instance, Friday, I playfully, notice the emphasis on playfully, called her a dumb ass because she didn't know that she had Gullible written on her shirt until she remembered it was her Winterguard shirt. Anyway, he was like, "Hey, be nice!" I kinda retorted back, "Adam it was just a joke, chill!"

But that's besides the point. How would I approach Kacy to talk to her about this? I mean, it hurts when she spends so much time with Adam! (I'm going into another example, so you received fair warning.) I invited her to go with me to see Passion. I expected it to be just me and her. Well, turns out, Adam wanted her to see it with him for the very first time. So he tagged along. And I always feel like the third wheel. I know Kacy doesn't mean to do that, but... I dunno, maybe I'm just being selfish... But I would really appreciate it if you guys would offer me advice on this. Because I'm so frustrated and angry that I'm about to cry... I cried twice Friday because of it.

Okay, I'm done. Thanks for reading that pathetic piece of crap, and also thanks for reading and reviewing the chapter! G'night, ladies and gents! ^_~