Chapter, chapter, chapter...

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Inuyasha yet.

Kagome opened her eyes. Looking around her, she noticed Inuyasha gone (no surprise in that), Miroku and Sango talking quietly (MUCH surprise in that) and Shippo munching away on fish. It seems Miroku and Sango had gone out once more to get fish. Kagome rose into a sitting position, stretching her arms high, and yawning.

"Good morning, Lady Kagome. Did you rest well?" Miroku asked in a polite manner.

"Very well, thank you. And how about you two? Did you have a good sleep?" Sango and Miroku exchanged glances, Sango smiling slightly. The corners of Kagome's mouth curved slightly upward.

"Yes. It was a good night." Sango replied, taking a small bite out of her fish. Kagome got out of her sleeping bag.

"Come, Kagome. Have some breakfast." Miroku motioned her over, and handed her a fish.

"Have either of you guys seen Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.

"Not since yesterday. I'm sure he's alright. I don't sense anything dangerous around." Sango replied. Not much later, the group had finished their morning meal. Shippo had already gone down to the stream to get some drinking water, while Kagome, Sango, and Miroku waited patiently for Inuyasha's return.

" 'Bout time you woke up. I was starting to think you never would." Kagome smiled

"Goodmorning to you too, Inuyasha." She turned slightly and saw him walking towards them. His hair was damp, and his clothes were slightly clinging to his body, telling everyone that he was just out taking a bath. Kagome handed him a fish. He snatched it, and finished it in two seconds flat. The rest stared with their jaws open.

"What are you all lookin' at?" Inuyasha glared.

"Uh..um..you...uh.." Miroku stammered.

"Feh. Whatever. You guys ready to go yet?" Inuyasha stood up. All the open jaws shut, and looks of determination crossed their features.

"Yeah. Lets go. Shippo! Time to go!" Kagome called. Shippo came sprinting back, and lept on Kagome shoulder. They all packed up, and headed off onto the trail to Kaede's.

"It sure is taking us a long time to get there." Shippo piped up.

"Yeah, that's because you guys kept wanting to take so many rests." Inuyasha said. Kagome huffed. Inuyasha 'feh'ed.

"We should be arriving very shortly." Miroku said. He was the one keeping track. Sango nodded.

So the group continued to walk, not very much talking going on. The only thing Kagome noticed was different is that the occasional conversation Sango and Miroku had didn't include any slapping or wandering hands. Something must have gone on between them to make them change their attitude so quickly. Kagome smiled. She knew they would hook up sooner or later. It was only a matter of time before Sango would admit that she loved the lecherous monk, and before Miroku admitted that Sango was the only woman he REALLY wanted to grope. Kagome was so caught up in her thoughts, that she accidentally ran into Inuyasha's back.

"Hey! Watch- huh? Inuyasha?"

He wasn't saying anything. He just stood staring forward, occasionally moving his head to the side. When he did that, Kagome noticed that he was sniffing the air, either picking up a scent, or trying to. As quick as a flash, Inuyasha turned on his heel.

"Kagome! Look out!"

He grabbed her by the shoulders and lept away. Instantly, the spot they were occupying had been smashed, and the dust made it so Kagome couldn't see what happend. Inuyasha let her go, and stood protectivly in front of her, waiting for the 'thing' to come out of the dust. Miroku and Sango got their weapons ready, preparing to do anything to protect their friend.

"Come out, bastard. What do you want?" Inuyasha yelled, unsheathing Tetsuiga. Nothing happend. They waited and waited, until Inuyasha got unpatient.

"Kagome, are you...Kagome? KAGOME!" Inuyasha looked behind him to see nothing. Where did that stupid girl go off to now?

"KAGOME!" Inuyasha started yelling her name. The dust cleared away, revealing nothing. Miroku and Sango began to panic as well. Kagome had dissapeared right behind them.

"Hahahaha...HAHAHAHA!" The laughing grew louder, and the gang followed it to the top of a tree. There stood the same creature that had tried to attack Kagome days earlier. In his arms, he was holding a hand over Kagome's mouth, and the other around her waist to keep her from going anywhere. She was struggling to try and get out of his grasp. Inuyasha snarled. How could he have snuck up on them? The crash! It was a diversion to get their attention off Kagome, so he could grab her!

"Let her go!" Inuyasha roared.

"Oh, it's not that simple, half-breed! I have some unfinished buisness with this one!" He yanked Kagome's head back, making her even more terrifyed of what he had in store for her.

"KAGOME!" Inuyasha yelled one more time. Kagome struggled, and bit on the creatures hand.

"INUYAAASHAAA!"

"Ow! Vile thing!" The creature pushed Kagome a little ways away from him, only to strike her across the face, and bring her back towards him.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH, LET HER GO RIGHT NOW!" Inuyasha's temper flared. No one lays a hand on Kagome and gets away with it. No one Tears formed in the corners of Kagome's eyes.

"Tell me, what do you plan to do with her?" Miroku yelled. Inuyasha risked a glance back at him.

"And why should I tell you that, hmm? So you can come save this wench, and have a happy ending? I don't think so! She will get what she deserves. DEATH!" The creature starting howling in laughter once more, making Inuyasha get fed up. Inuyasha lept towards the two, but the creature was too fast. They landed on another tree top, Inuyasha taking the one they were just at.

"Now now, fierce one. I don't want to have to kill her so soon. But I will, if you come near me once more." He removed his hand from Kagome's mouth and raised a claw to her throat. Kagome stiffened. One move and he would draw blood. Not good.

"Who...who are you?" Kagome managed to spurt out.

"My name, you mean? My name is of no importance to you wretched fools."

"She asked you a god damn question!" Inuyasha yelled.

"Well then, it seems it will do me no harm. My name is Matatsu." No one recognized it. Kagome gave him a blank stare.

"What, you do not remember, priestess?"

"For the last time, I'm not Kikyo!" Kagome yelled. Inuyasha's blood boiled. He'd heard that line many times before.

"And I am not one of the most powerful demons in the world!" He started to chuckle again.

"Well now, since we have all been introduced properly, I will take my leave. Say good bye to your precious priestess!" And with that, he jumped into the air, and dissapeared, taking Kagome with him.

"KAGOME!" Inuyasha jumped in the spot they were just at. Miroku and Sango exchanged solom glances. Inuyasha jumped down in front of them.

"We have to go get her!" He yelled.

"Inuyasha, please. We don't know where he is, or how powerful he is for that matter. We haven't even had a battle with him yet." Sango tried to comply with him.

"Well then, lets get our asses out there and follow him! He can't have gone to far!" Inuyasha began pacing wildly.

"Inuyasha, if I may suggest-"

"What monk!" Inuyasha snapped. They haven't seen him this wound up in a long time.

"If I may suggest, I think we should go to Lady Kaede's hut and plan out our attack. We are only a little ways away."

"Fine, but lets go. We have to go save Kagome."

Who knows what that bastards going to do to him.

The four memebers of Inuyasha's group began walking to Kaede's village, all of their thoughts with Kagome.