Okay, sorry to keep you guys waiting so long for this! Really! Anyway, Now it's back to only updating on Mondays again! Or should I do Fridays? You people just tell me wich one would do better, but to do that you would either have to send me a message or review! So Monday, or Friday . . . hmmm. Well, here it is, chapter 16. And for those of you who are still freaking out over the Inuyasha/Moyuru thing, please just keep reading! It'll end up InuyashaKagome, I promise. Sometimes situations just gotta get worse before they get better. Anyway, read review and enjoy!

Mayu Kitsune

The Mystery Behind the Attack

By daylight they had managed to fight off the thieves. The bandits had retreated, taking with them what they could and leaving behind a vast plain of destruction where the village used to be. Some survivors looked through the debris, searching for anything that could be salvaged while others began the grueling task of burying the dead.

Kaede had been tending to the wounded outside, her hut having been destroyed during the attack. While the others had pitched in, helping to put together somewhat of a shelter, Inuyasha had begun searching for Moyuru. It was now midday and there was still no sign of the kitsune hanyou or her little friend anywhere.

No one had seen where she went and the smoke made it impossible for Inuyasha to catch her scent. There was nothing he could go on and it was making him irritable! He had searched endlessly since the battle had ended. Moyuru had been the first person he had asked for.

"I've never seen him so worried." Sango commented as she helped the rest of them with the task of setting up what looked to be a tent. Supplies were low and they didn't have many people to help them, most of them having been injured.

"Maybe one of us should go and look so he can have a break. I mean, look at him, he has dark circles under his eyes, he's gotta be tired." Shippo stated.

Inuyasha approached the rest of them a while later, his eyes focused on the ground. Still no sign of her! Where could she have gotten to? What if she was in some kind of trouble? That would be the only way that she wouldn't have come back by now. He had to find her!

"Inuyasha, why don't you take a break and let some of us look for her?" Miroku offered, putting Shippo's suggestion into play.

Inuyasha looked to him a bit indignantly, "I don't need a break. What are you gonna be able to do anyway?"

"It was just a suggestion, apparently you haven't faired very well even with your heightened senses." Miroku countered, "Maybe it would help if the rest of us split up and searched for her."

"Hey, I've got it! Didn't she have jewel shards on her?" Shippo suddenly spoke up.

"Yeah, I don't remember her ever giving them back." Sango agreed, "That means that Kagome could find her."

"Right, then I'll go get her. A person's life has to mean more to her than some stupid test." Inuyasha stated before beginning off at nearly a run. He couldn't waste time, Moyuru and Naomi could both be in danger and the longer he waited, the more of a possibility there was that he might not be able to find them, or if he did, not alive.

What! I can't do that! I never learned this! Kagome thought as she starred in horror at the equation on the board, Oh, Kami Sama take me now! she thought as her head sunk further towards the desk. Her cheek eventually rested on it. I'm so tired. . .

"Miss Higurashi, perhaps you can solve this equation. Seeing as you're sleeping in class I can assume that you already know this." The teacher said calmly.

Kagome's head shot straight up at the mention of her name, "Sleeping? I wasn't sleeping." she said with a nervous laugh and a forced smile.

"Either way, you should still know how to do this. Especially if you were, in fact, listening." the teacher stated, pushing his small framed glasses further up on his face and giving her an unwavering look.

"Uh. . . I. . ." Kagome stuttered. She didn't know how to do this!

"Well?" the teacher prompted, still seeming to stare her down.

Kagome nearly jumped out of her seat as the bell rang.

The teacher let out a small sigh before closing the book that he held and setting it down on the desk, "That seems to be all the class that time will allow for the day. There will be a test on this when I see you all again tomorrow. My suggestion to you is that you study well unless you plan on failing." he said bluntly as he sat down at his desk and began readying for the next class of the day. Everyone else picked up their books and backpacks and began shuffling out the door.

Another test? Tomorrow? Oh! Kagome inwardly groaned.

She didn't like this new teacher. Sure, all the girls seemed to think that he was nice looking, but that was about it. He didn't seem to take anything less than perfection and he never once cracked a smile! Kagome thought it kind of scary that he nearly reminded her of Sesshomaru.

Maybe he's an ancestor or something. . . Kagome mused, toying around with the thought, "Wouldn't doubt it. More like reincarnate." she said to no one as she made her way towards the library. It was now lunchtime, but she wanted to get in every possible moment of study she possibly could. There just wasn't enough time in a day.

She entered the library, taking a seat next to a window and taking out her geometry book. Her thoughts began to wonder as she looked for the right page to begin her studying. The feudal era was so much simpler academically, and so much more exciting! The last few days she was there had been peaceful and that was always nice too. She really just wanted to go back there and relax. She began to gain a bit more of a focus as she began to read over the current chapter.

"Hey Kagome." a voice said brightly.

Kagome looked up from her book, "Oh, hi Hojo." she replied cheerfully.

"Sorry to hear about that nasty stomach ulcer, you're okay now right?" he asked.

Stomach ulcer? Jeez gramps! she thought. "Yeah, I'm fine." she answered with a smile. Hojo made her day sometimes, she found it somewhat amusing that he seemed to truly believe everything that her grandpa told him. He was pretty considerate too, always trying to make her feel better.

"Really? Because I was wondering if you wouldn't mind going to a movie with me on Saturday, you know, that new one. I know you didn't quite make it to the last one, but I'll bring anything if it'll make you comfortable, just ask." he offered.

Kagome gave him another smile, "You won't have to bring anything, I'm fine, really. I think I can make it through a movie." she stated.

"So It's a date then?" he asked hopefully.

"Yeah, sure." she answered.

"Great! I'll see you there." he said. He then made a move he really hadn't made before, he gave her a hug! It was small and quick, but it was still a hug. Kagome blushed a little bit, had anyone else seen that? "Bye!" he called before hurrying off.

A date? who was this guy? Inuyasha's ears had picked up a bit of the two's conversation through the glass of the windows where Kagome sat. He had decided to stay out of sight, remembering the last time he came into view in Kagome's time. She had given the sit command had he had fallen hard onto the concrete of the sidewalk below! He wanted to avoid that one again.

He saw Hojo give Kagome a hug and he found himself glaring. All this talk about him and Kikyo and she was getting cozy with other guys in her time? As far as he was concerned, she was doing what she had harped on him all the time about doing! What a hypocrite!

Hojo was obviously flirting with her and what made Inuyasha even more steamed was that she seemed to be returning it! Smiling and carrying on like that! All this time, Moyuru was willing to give up a chance at being with someone just so Kagome wouldn't get her feelings hurt and Kagome's off doing this!

He shook his head. Moyuru, that was the reason why he was here. He had to keep his mind on what he had come for. He had come to get Kagome so that she could help find Moyuru, preferably alive.

He waited until Hojo was out of sight before slipping up to the glass. He rapped on the window a bit as he tried to get Kagome's attention. Kagome only glanced up at the noise, sending a small look his way before going back to her studies.

Her eyes suddenly widened as her head snapped back in his direction and she did a double take. Inuyasha? It wasn't time for her to go back yet!

"What are you doing here?" Kagome mouthed to him.

He only motioned up and mouthed the word "roof." He knew that she couldn't hear him through the glass.

She gathered up her books and began off, only turning back to look out the window. When she did, Inuyasha had already vanished.

She made her way to meet him. "Inuyasha, what are you doing here? It isn't time for me to go back yet! I have a test tomorrow!" Kagome said once she got to the roof of the school building.

"Would ya stop getting all worked up about it? This is really important! We need you back there and now." Inuyasha replied indignantly.

Kagome paused, blinking a few times. They needed her back through the well this very instant? "Why?" she prompted, looking to the hanyou in confusion.

"The village was attacked by a group of bandits while you were gone, be glad you weren't there." Inuyasha stated.

Kagome's eyes grew wide, "Attacked!" she echoed, "Is everyone okay?"

"Some of the villagers didn't make it. Kaede's got her hands full with the injured, most of the village was burnt to the ground and Moyuru and Naomi are both missing. We're not sure where to start looking." Inuyasha said, a small bit of frustration bleeding into his voice as he spoke.

"You can't catch a scent?"

Inuyasha shook his head, "There was too much going on, and the smoke. . . I can't smell a damn thing!" he grumbled.

"What can I do?" Kagome questioned. Why had he come to get her? Had he come to get her to help Kaede with all the injured people?

"You can sense the jewel shards and Moyuru still has four of them." Inuyasha answered.

"That's right, I can't remember her ever giving them to us. They're the ones from her brother, it would make sense if she held onto them." Kagome mused.

"We're not sure how much time Moyuru and Naomi have. We're not even sure if they're alive so we have to go back now." Inuyasha stated.

Kagome nodded once, "Right, then let's go." she said with determination. Inuyasha knelt down, allowing her to climb onto his back, book bag and all, before taking off towards her house.

Once there Kagome hurriedly began packing her things, cramming all the first aid items she could into her pack.

Mrs. Higurashi looked to her daughter worriedly, what could be so urgent that Kagome would come home in the middle of a school day? And all those bandages and the medicine that she was packing, it worried her. Before she knew it, Kagome was already headed out the door.

"Bye Mom!" Kagome called.

"Good-bye, and be careful." Mrs. Higurashi called back.

"I will!" Kagome replied before disappearing into the shrine, the inu hanyou leading the way.

A good sense of smell wasn't required to catch the scent of smoke as they came up on the other side of the well. He wasn't lying. Kagome thought as Inuyasha took her pack for her and she began climbing. She followed him to the village. She paused, a shocked expression coming to her face as she caught sight of it.

The place was devastated! Only a few huts remained standing, the rest of them having been burnt or knocked down. Even Kaede's hut hadn't survived in one piece forcing the old miko to treat people outside under a makeshift tent that had been put together with whatever they could find.

Shippo looked to be helping out as much as he possibly could, fetching anything Kaede told him to fetch. Sango and Miroku looked to be busy helping some of the survivors scrounge out what could be saved or used.

"This is awful!" Kagome exclaimed, putting a hand over her mouth and staring around in disbelief.

"They attacked last night; no one was ready for it." Inuyasha stated.

"Do you think Moyuru and Naomi are okay?" Kagome asked, concerned.

"Like I sad before, we're not sure. Last anyone saw of Moyuru, she was looking for that little girl." Inuyasha replied.

"I hope they're okay." Kagome commented as she continued to stare around. If Moyuru did have the jewel shards with her, then she was nowhere near the village anymore. Looking for her might be harder than they all thought.

Moyuru moaned a bit as she began to come to. Her head throbbed with pain, what had happened to her?

"Rise and shine, half-breed." a voice said tauntingly.

Moyuru groaned another protest, her thoughts were hazy and she had yet to open her eyes.

"I said wake up!" the voice growled as a foot came in contact with her gut.

She yelped in pain, her eyes shooting open now that she was wide awake. What the hell! Where am I? she thought as she began to get to her feet, gaining a shocked expression when she found herself unable to do so. She was tied up!

She struggled with the ropes a bit but couldn't loosen them in the least bit. Her face clearly showed that she was panicking. She paused as she caught sight of the feet of someone who was standing in front of her. The owner of them knelt down, resting on their heels. Moyuru's eyes traveled to the person's face.

"Go ahead and panic, it makes all this so much more fun." they taunted.

Moyuru's eyes narrowed as she recognized the demon that was obviously holding her captive. It was Suzushi's younger sister, Michiko. "You! You're behind all this!" Moyuru snarled up at the kitsune youkai.

Michiko stood, brushing her hair behind her shoulder and looking down her nose at her hanyou cousin, "Of course, who else would it be?" she questioned.

Moyuru glared at her dangerously, "You won't take me back to Chichi, I'll get out of this somehow, just don't fall asleep." she threatened, her eyes flashing momentarily.

Michiko let out an amused laugh, "Moyuru, always shy and timid until threatened, then you become brave. At least that's what you like people to think right? I can smell the fear on you, you can't hide your fear from me." she taunted.

Moyuru didn't let her expression waver. She may have been afraid deep down, but she wouldn't let her fear take control of her. She began to indiscreetly work on the ropes with her claws, she could barely reach them but if she frayed them enough then maybe she could snap them and get away. The big problem was that Michiko, like Suzushi, was never alone. She would have to wait until nightfall when nearly everyone was asleep before she could make her escape attempt.

"Not talking much are you?" Michiko prompted, leaning closer to the hanyou, "It makes me wonder what you could be thinking about. . . Not much I'm sure."

Moyuru just ignored her.

Michiko gave her a dirty look that lasted only for a moment before reverting back to her previous expression, "You know, you're little human friend worked well to lure you right into my grasp." she said.

Moyuru's eyes widened. Naomi! She had nearly forgotten, "What have you done with her!" Moyuru demanded angrily.

"Ah, now there's another part of my plan." Michiko boasted with a smirk as she ordered the little girl brought into view.

The little girl looked to be terrified though she didn't make a sound. The other youkai led Naomi next to Moyuru, allowing her to sit there.

Moyuru struggled to set herself upright, "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

Naomi only nodded her response, still not speaking.

"She's fine, I assure you. She'll stay that way too, all you have to do is come quietly." Michiko stated.

"You conniving wench, you won't get away with this!" Moyuru spat out.

"Oh, I believe I will." Michiko replied with a laugh.

Moyuru inwardly cursed, how was she going to get out of this one? She had to think of something, there was no way Michiko was just going to let Naomi live after this was all over. She would either kill her after she was through, or sell her to some other demon as a slave. Moyuru looked down in question when she felt a light tug on her clothing.

Naomi hadn't been tied, leaving her hands free to cling to her captured protector, "I wanna go home." she whimpered softly.

"Don't worry, I'll get us out of this somehow and we'll both go back together." Moyuru whispered comfortingly.

"Then you'll stay with me?" Naomi asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I'll stay until you're old enough to take care of yourself, even then I'll come to visit." Moyuru replied.

"Just like a haha." Naomi mused. She seemed to be thinking on something, "Can I call you 'haha'?"

Moyuru looked to her in suprise. She was only fifteen, she would never get used to that! She had gone from being a good friend to an adoptive mother already?

"I understand if you don't want me to, it's just that you're like my haha." Naomi said softly.

"It's okay, you can call me that if you want." Moyuru replied quietly.

Naomi nodded, "Okay, Haha." she replied.

"How cute." Michiko stated sarcastically, "A half-breed taking in a human, this is really amusing. You're such entertainment Moyuru; it's really too bad that you're going to die. Uncle Tsukasa's going to have a field day with you."

Moyuru glared at her, "Why are you taking me like this anyway?" she demanded.

"What? You mean alive? It's simple, if I bring you in alive then I don't have to wait to gain a profit. There's a nice reward for bringing you back still breathing." Michiko answered.

"Don't you already have money?" Moyuru questioned.

"It's true that I have money, but not enough." Michiko replied.

Moyuru tried to keep her cool expression, "Enough for what?"

Michiko grinned mischievously, "Enough to hire myself a large army."

"An army?"

"Yes, an army. Do you honestly believe that I'm going to wait for my oh-so-dear uncle to breathe his last before taking control of his lands?" Michiko asked with a laugh, "On second thought, I will wait for him to breathe his last, it'll just be much sooner than he expected. I'll simply speed up the process."

Moyuru looked to her in shock. That was her plan? That traitorous wench!

"Perhaps I should thank you for making this so easy for me." Michiko mocked.

"Easy? You just got lucky, that's all. If it hadn't been for that attack then you would've never caught me like this. Without that siege as a distraction you wouldn't have been able to get away with me without my friends putting up a fight." Moyuru stated, "They'll come for me."

"That's where you're all wrong. That was all part of my plan as well, every single detail of it." Michiko replied smugly.

Moyuru's eyes widened, "What! You mean you're the reason why those thieves attacked?"

It made sense now, Michiko had been the one to tell them about her! She somehow got them to attack the village on purpose!

"Took you long enough to figure it out. I was behind it all, I only told them of a village of fair size that just happened to be near by. . . a village with lovely ladies. Thieves, so simple minded." Michiko answered.

"That doesn't matter, Inuyasha and the others will come for me and you'll be sorry when they do." Moyuru said defiantly.

"Wrong again dear cousin. Those burning huts served as a rather good smokescreen. Your fellow hanyou's nose could never pick up a scent through that. I knew you would get lost in the confusion. By the time they even realized you were missing we were all long-gone. This is going better than I could have anticipated." Michiko mused.

No! This couldn't be true! Was this really the end? No, it couldn't be, she had to stay focused on getting out of there on her own. No one was going to be there to help her out of this one but she was determined. She would get out of it without anyone's help.

"I will get out of this. You know how much I hate my father. If you think that I will die so that you can kill him then you're sorely mistaken." Moyuru growled., "I refuse to be finished off by a monster like him and I refuse to be taken to him by a no good, back-stabbing bitch like you."

Michiko shot her a sour look before marching up and roughly tearing Naomi away from her by an arm. Naomi cried out, obviously scared as tears began to run down her cheeks.

"No! Let go of her!" Moyuru shouted.

Michiko unsheathed her katana, holding it to the little girl's neck.

"No!" Moyuru yelled.

"I would watch my mouth if I were you, half-breed. Just remember Moyuru; there are consequences if you decide to put up a fight, only you won't be the one suffering them, it'll be this little mortal girl you seem to have adopted." Michiko threatened darkly before kneeling down behind the girl and placing her cheek against Naomi's, "And she's so adorable," she said, gaining a smirk, "it would be a shame for her to die, don't you agree?"

Moyuru kept her silence, giving the youkai a piercing, unwavering glare.

"That's more like it." Michiko stated, seemingly satisfied now that Moyuru had been silenced.

Just don't fall asleep, Michiko. You won't live to regret it if you do. The hanyou thought, her eyes once again flashing bright blue.

Michiko didn't even seem to notice as she began barking out orders. One soldier came for Naomi and three came to escort Moyuru, one of them untying her ankles and the other two dragging her to her feet and holding onto her arms.

"Let's move out! If we start now then we may make it back to the southern castle by midday tomorrow!" Michiko announced loudly, speaking so that everyone could hear.

Tomorrow! That's all the time Moyuru had to get out of this before she was done for. What could she do! They would certainly guard her and Naomi when night came and she didn't have her weapons, the guard next to her did. If only she had more time!

She continued to stay silent as they all began moving, moving towards the south and what looked to be her doom.

Ohhhh! Will they make it? You'll just have to find out. And what about that Michiko? Huh? One hell of a villan . . . I even hate her. That's pretty bad. She's based off of someone I know actually, maybe that's why I hate her so bad. I'm pretty sure you all want her dead by now . . . maybe I won't disappoint in that department, I want her dead too. That just all dependes on what the characters do. Big surprise, this story really isn't planned out at all, I just write what pops into my head.

PREVEIW!

Chapter 17: Blood and Tears

Moyuru and Naomi are both being dragged closer and closer to what looks to be certain doom. . . the southern castle. Moyuru realizes that she must act fast, so she makes a last-ditch effort to escape with her little friend, or more correctly, adopted daughter. Will they both make it out okay? Will they ever see the village or any of their friends ever again?

PLEASE REVIEW! I"M BEGGING YOU! . . . hey, that rhymed. . .

Mayu Kitsune

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