And yet again...chapter!

Disclaimer: Do I own Inuyasha? Do I? No.

Kagome was tossed to the ground. She had no clue where she was, and she was scared.

Inuyasha, please come get me! I'm so scared!

"Now, Kikyo, let us play a game of payback." He stalked towards Kagome.

"LISTEN! I'm not Kikyo! You have the wrong person!" Kagome yelled. He stopped.

"Oh? And who are you then? Her reincarnation?" He smirked.

"YES!" Kagome bellowed. Matatsu's brows raised up. He once again started walking towards Kagome. She kept scooting farther and farther, until she backed up against a wall. She closed her eyes hard, and turned her head to the side. He grabbed her by the hair and yanked her to her feet. She winced in pain. Matatu's lowered his head to her neck, and sniffed. He gasped, and threw her back to the ground, stepping back.

"What have you done with Kikyo!" He roared

"Kikyo is long dead! She died fifty years ago!"

"That's impossible! There were rumors about a priestess who traveled through villages wearing red and white! I knew that was Kikyo! How can she be dead if she is still walking!" He was snarling at this point.

"Kikyo had been revived by the witch Urasue (sp?)."

"Oh, is that right? Foolish wench. I knew about that hag. The only way for her clay puppets to come alive are with stolen souls. Tell me, how is Kikyo walking about without a soul?" He thought he had won this argument.

"She took half of mine, stupid!" Kagome gasped and covered her mouth. That could have done it. Matatu's glared.

"How dare you call me such informal names! I'm known as Master to you! Got that, wench! Plus, you are just a copy of someone who was much greater and powerful than you. Kikyo would have never been captured so easily. You are weak. You are useless. You are-"

"Do NOT compare me with her. I'm nothing like her. Weak or not." Kagome was furious. She was herself. No one else. She despised it when people compared her to Kikyo. Matatsu huffed.

"Well then. My plans are foiled now. Kikyo is needed alive. I have no use for you. But I can give you a choice of your fate. You can either become a slave to me, and always, ALWAYS refer to me as Master, or you can die right this very moment." He spoke while flexing his claws.

"Neither! Inuyasha will come save me! You'll see!" Matatsu laughed.

"He will not come. He was in love with Kikyo. You are just a mere copy, and he doesn't care one bit for you. Nor do your friends. They just use you-"

"THAT'S A LIE! YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY FRIENDS, OR INUYASHA FOR THAT MATTER!" Kagome was stunned with herself. Her temper had gone out of control, and she almost started sounding like Inuyasha himself.

"Hmph. You have just sealed your fate, weakling!" Matatsu charged forward, extending a hand towards Kagome. She screamed, and shoved her hand in front of her, hoping that it would stop the damage, but mostly waiting for his claws to rip her apart. Instead, she heard a scream, and shot her eyes open. There across the room, Matatsu had been forcefully blown against the wall. He quickly regained posture, and stared at the frightened girl. His face turned into a twisted, sadistic grin.

"It looks like you will have some use after all...priestess."

"What do you suppose we do, Lady Kaede?" The rest of the group had made it to Kaede's before nightfall. They were sitting around a fire in Kaede's hut, while she stirred the soup.

"Aye. I have not heard of such a creature. What is it ye said his name was?"

"Matatsu." Inuyasha spoke up for the first time that night from his corner of the hut. He was looking out the door, apparently in deep thought. He spoke with no emotion.

"Hmm. I do not know what to do. Maybe ye should ask other villagers what they know. They might be able to give ye some valuable information."

"Yes. That might work. We could-"

"PRIESTESS KAEDE! PRIESTESS KAEDE!" An old man came running into the hut, gasping for air. Kaede instantly stood.

"What is it?" She pressed on.

"It's my daughter. She is coming down with such a horrible sickenss, I know not of what to do!" He seemed very panicked.

"Hmm. Which hut is it that ye occupy, sir?"

"The one on the left, two huts before the trail begins." He pointed.

"Aye. Excuse me Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha. This man needs my help. I will be back shortly to help with ye's problem once again." Kaede left the hut. The old man stayed.

"Well, old man? Aren't you going to go with her?"

"Oh no. Never interupt Priestess Kaede when she is busy. It might distract her, causing her to take longer."

"Excuse me, sir, but do you know of anyone named Matatsu?" Sango asked gently.

"Who?"

"Matatsu."

"Uh..."

"Well? Do you or not?" Inuyasha was clearly not in the mood.

"No, I'm afraid not. Why? Is he bothersome? Is he someone we should keep a look out for?"

"Yes. You see, he's kidnapped our friend. We must find him soon." Sango's eyes went downcast.

"Oh, you mean that young child that wears the strange clothing?"

"Um, yes, I guess."

"Isn't she a priestess?"

"Partially. She's working on it." Sango didn't know where the old man was going with this.

"Oh dear. I didn't know it was her he was after!"

"So you have heard of him then!" Inuyasha rose up, getting in the old man's face.

"Inuyasha, please, let him speak." Miroku stated wisely.

"Keh."

"I didn't know that was his name. But, I did hear of a creature visiting villages, asking for a priestess."

"Please, do you know any information on him at all?" Sango's worry was evident in her voice.

"I do know where he lives. He is located in the Northern Lands."

"Where in the Northern Lands?"

"The only place that holds such vile creatures as himself. I heard he had slain a whole village looking for the priestess. All I know is he lives in the most deserted section of the Northern Lands. Look there, and your bound to find your friend."

"Thank you. Thank you so much old man!" Sango began to smile, causing Miroku to smile as well.

"Shall we go?" Sango stated simply.

"Yeah. Shippo, you stay here and try to find as much about Matatsu as you can. Got it, kid?" Shippo stood proudly, rasing a hand to his head, saluting.

"Yes!" He was very excited. Though he didn't get to fight, he still had an important job to do.

"Let's go!" Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku ran out of the hut, heading towards the darkets parts of the Northern Lands. The old man stood watching them.

"What, no gifts?"