Chapter 32: Captivated

*DRIP*

*DRIP*

*DRIP*

"Huhhh," a quiet moan drifted on the slight breeze.

"So, you're awake?!"

*CHINK*CHINK*

The rattling of chains echoed through the room. The sudden question asked by an unknown person startled the captive and they thrashed about in an effort to get free. "Who's there?"

"My, my, aren't you demanding……Kagome, Black Dog Princess of the Eastern Lands." A tall man stepped out of the shadows and into the faint light. He walked up and stared at Kagome, eye to eye. "But of course, you dogs have always been a problem… So where have you been for over 60 years?"

Kagome squinted and examined the man right in front of her. He was a bit taller than Inuyasha with blackish purple hair and steel blue/gray eyes. His hair was long, braided and draped over his shoulder. He wore elegant kimono/robes of white and purple. She then tried to place his scent, though it was difficult with the stale, muggy air of the dungeon. "Do I know you? You smell like a wolf."

Maniacal laughter rang throughout the stone cage. "Do you know me…Hahahahahaha…Princess, I was first in line to be your fiancé. But your father found out the Lord of the West was having a son that was a hanyou…He went on about some kind of bond between hanyous. So he refused my fathers offers, shaming him……I, Hokkyokusei will have my revenge for the shame bestowed upon my family."

Kagome glared at him defiantly. "And just how were you planning on getting your revenge? Hmmmmm?"

Hokkyokusei was dumbfounded by this girl's persistence in being defiant regardless of the fact that she was currently chained to the wall. "I was planning on keeping you here as a slave girl, away from that damn half dog. And since there is a barrier around this castle, you can't escape nor can he find you." He started to laugh in a wicked form. He stopped laughing and walked into the hall, he gave a few orders to someone and they rushed off. He then entered the room again just as Kagome burst into a fit of laughter. "What?"

She continued to laugh for quite sometime before composing herself. "The one good thing that US dogs picked up from wolves is the urge to pick one mate for life. Inuyasha and I are mated, we have 3 pups at the age of 6 months at home. You don't honestly expect him to give up looking for me…He hasn't in the past and he never will give up…I'm sorry for what my father did but you can't blame me for that…My father is right about the bond between hanyou's though. One hanyou to settle the blood in them. A half blood of any kind can go crazy without a counter part close by. So even if Inuyasha is in a crazed state he will come for me." She was very confident in her mate and his abilities, he would get there soon. Kagome was a bit confused by her captor's panicked state. He repeatedly glanced at the doorway with a worried expression. "What's wrong? Is Inuyasha here al-"

"Otou-sama?" a little boy of about 5 years with dark grayish purple hair and blue/gray eyes peeked around the corner. "Oka-sama is looking for you." He then locked his piercing bluish eyes on Kagome and smiled sweetly.

"Ok Hoku, I'll be there in a minute, you can go now." Hokkyokusei replied to his son then watched him disappear from the doorway. He turned back to the restrained princess and was surprised to see her staring at the doorway, shocked and stunned. 'Oh great she knows.'

"Oh Kami-sama. Your son is a full youkai and a hanyou. I can smell it."

"Hai, he is. He's half wolf and half white tiger. Some one will tend to you shortly. I want you to start your work immediately." Hokkyokusei turned his head to look at Kagome. "Oh and as for the Shiro Inu finding you…it won't happen, he lost your scent a little ways from where you were grabbed… Didn't I tell you, I can hide my tracks." He closed the door behind him and walked down the hall laughing manically.

For a brief second, Kagome felt hopeless, but she had faith in her mate…plus she could always try to find a way out. "Oh, Inuyasha, please hurry…I miss you and the pups so much already." She sat waiting patiently for what was to happen next.

~***~

*WHAM*THUNK*

"Where is she? Where is Kagome?" ordered Inuyasha as he held the youkai up against the wall by his throat.

"How should I know, she's your woman not mine!"

"If you've done anything to her you'll regret it." Inuyasha tightened his grip on the throat as a girl with auburn pigtails dressed in white fur ran up and tried to pry him off.

"Knock it off Inuyasha. Kouga doesn't have her. He's been with me all month. Now let him go so we can help you look for her." The wolf girl was put off a bit when she saw the desperation in his eyes. 'That's not a good look coming from Inuyasha.'

Kouga tried to speak despite the fact that his airway was being restricted. "When I realized I held no place in Kagome's heart, I gave up. About a month ago Ayame showed up and we've been together ever since…So tell me…How did you loose your woman?" He smirked at Inuyasha defiantly.

Inuyasha finally released him, letting the wolf youkai fall to the ground. He then barked angrily at Kouga. "I didn't loose her. She was kidnapped when she went to the river to get water for the pups…If those pups become motherless because of some-"

"PUPS?!" all the wolves yelled in surprise.

"Kagome…had your…pups?" asked Kouga, a little depressed now.

"Ya, what did you expect, we're mated." Inuyasha barked back and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"KAWAIIIII! How many? Where are they? I wanna see!" Ayame bounced in front of the hanyou, happily, causing everyone around her to look at her funny.

"Ummm 3…They're at Kagome's mother's house right now, so you can't see them till we find Kagome." He was bewildered by the girl youkai's behavior. 'Must be a woman thing. Wanting to see babies and children so much.'

Kouga finally regained his breathing properly and stood up. "so any clues as to who took her? Or why?"

Inuyasha shook his head sadly. "None…who ever it is can disguise their scent. The kidnapper's scent wasn't present and Kagome's disappeared a little ways away……I need her back…for the pups sake!" He turned abruptly and walked toward the cave exit.

Both Kouga and Ayame looked at Inuyasha then to each other. They both knew he wanted Kagome back for himself as well. Instead of them saying anything to the poor hurting hanyou they simply followed him outside. Once they were out of the cave they were greeted by Miroku, Sango and Shippo.

"So do you have any idea who could have done this?" asked Miroku.

"No…" replied Inuyasha.

"I may have an idea. It's a long shot but we can see." Added Ayame.

"Good lets go!" shouted Inuyasha, for the first time in two days he wore a smile. He then took to the trees excitedly.

"Inuyasha wait for us." Shouted Shippo.

~***~

Kagome rested for a while on the porch steps. She sat quietly reflecting over the last week. The first day another servant girl came into the dungeon with food and new clothes. She was now having to wear a short, dark blue and white yukata. Every day she had to was dishes, wash clothes, carry bails of rice and clean the palace. At least now she was sleeping in the servant's quarters. To her surprise, all the servants were happy with their master. They said he was kind, generous and caring. They all adored the youngest master Hoku and they said the Lady Shiori was a beautiful white tiger with long white hair. Considering she was kidnapped, Kagome was finding it kind of hard to believe of this Hokkyokusei, but when she saw him playing in the garden with his son, she felt a little better.

"Excuse me, are you Kagome?"

The soft, gentle voice pulled Kagome from her reverie. She looked up to see a woman with white hair, black tiger stripes and cat ears. She was dressed in an elegant dark blue layered kimono. "Hai, I'm Kagome."

"I'm Lady Shiori, Hoku's mother. I understand you can read and write. I only know a little. I was hoping you could teach my son. And possibly school him on other matters. I want him to be learned so he won't be looked down upon because he's… he's…"

"Unique." Finished Kagome.

Shiori smiled at her, "Hai, unique. So would you teach my son please."

"Hai, I will teach him. I'm a hanyou myself as is my husband and our pups, so I know what being educated can do for you." Kagome smiled up at the woman cheerfully. 'I think I'm gonna like her.'

"Oh, you have a husband and children. I'm so sorry my husband is keeping you here. He's very stubborn but he usually gives in quickly."

Kagome sighed in relief. "That's good to hear. But ya, I have 6 month old triplets at home. I sure hope Chiisai isn't driving everyone crazy. She's the runt but she's the trouble maker." Kagome giggled as she thought about her family. Lady Shiori sat down next to her and for hours they talked about almost everything.

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