I totally skipped out on the last week of August. My bad. But yeah here's this mess. J/K I really love this one. There next one will be up real soon.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but like all of you, I sure wish I did.

Warning: Ooc

Chapter 26: Taken part 1

It was almost sunset, and Kagome had spent most of the day outside. It was quiet for the rest of the evening including dinner. Sesshomaru had left earlier to take care of a disturbance near the border and Jaken, not wanting to become a walking target again, went with him. Dinner went by quietly except for the children's constant chatter. After dinner Kagome read to them then tucked both Shippo and Rin in bed. She was returning to her room with Tsume and Mizuki when they ran into Sesshomaru.

"Lord Sesshomaru, I did not realized you had returned." Tsume commented bowing in greeting. "Was everything settled?"

"Yes. It was only a mild youkai." He answered before focusing on Kagome. "Follow me." He simply said before walking away.

"Uh okay." The young miko replied before bidding her female companion good night. She walked behind the daiyoukai as he led her further down the corridor. He was quiet, more so than usual that Kagome couldn't help but worry. "Is something the matter?" She asked after a while but he didn't respond. She hugged the little pup closer to her body as they walked out into the cool night air. They continued walking in silence through the courtyard until they got to the palace gate. "Lord Sesshomaru."

He only glanced at her and continued walking toward the gate. There was two guards there, a snake and a bear youkai. The two guards were wearing different armors from what Kagome was used to, and that's when it dawned on her. These were the guards of the eastern wing. "L-lord Sesshomaru?" Kagome couldn't help the shiver in her voice as the youkai glared at her. Just what the hell is he thinking bringing her here.

"Don't say anything," he finally spoke, grabbing her hand and pulling her with him. He took one glance at the guards before taking her outside the palace. In the depths of her mind she knew something was terribly wrong and that the person whose deadly grip held her was not Sesshomaru. She struggled in his grip as he led away from the palace and into the forest beyond.

"Why did you bring me out here?!" she yelled once his grip loosened around her wrist. "Who are you?"

"Hmm. A very smart girl." the impostor stated as their form began to shift.

"Who..." Kagome stared at the old woman that appeared before her. "Are you- Meichiko?"

"I am so glad you know my name." The old witch chuckled. "Well did you like my trick?"

"What do you want from me?"

"Just the pup in your arms. Give her to me and you can go free."

"And what do you mean by ' go free'?" a voice sounded from behind them.

Kagome turned around to see the two eastern gate guards walking toward them. She glanced between the two and the witch. There was no way she could escape all three of them. She held Mizuki tighter as the snake youkai approached her.

"You only wanted the pup right? And in return we get to kill the miko." he hissed.

"You never understood the meaning of patience have you?" Meichiko commented with a sigh. "You could have waited until I had the pup in my hands."

"What makes you think I was going to hand her over to you?" Kagome said backing away from the witch. "I'd rather die than let you take her."

Sesshomaru wiped the blood of the now dead youkai from his hand. A group of bear youkai started tearing down the forest on his lands in hopes of finding shards of the Shikon jewel. He turned to his small group of guards, who were rounding up the dead bodies. He didn't need their corpse rotting on his grounds.

"When you are done, continue monitoring the area." He said to the lead of the patrol. "If more appear do not hesitate in disposing of them."

"Of course Lord Sesshomaru."

The inu was taking his leave when another youkai called out to him. He turned to see three more guards heading his way, two of which was carrying a body. Before they even got within ten feet of him, he had to block his nose from the stench of the corpse. From the groans of the other youkais, they smelt it too. Sesshomaru had a sinking feeling in his stomach as the three youkais came closer.

"Lord Sesshomaru," the guard bowed low. "We found this thing lurking around." He gestured for the two to show the body, and Sesshomaru let out a growled. Why was that here?

The sinking feeling became worse as a small voice in his head told him to return to the palace. "Keep an eye out. If you see another one you are to tell me immediately." He said to them before taking off at top speed back to the palace. Something was wrong. Something was definitely wrong. It took no time at all before he reached the palace gates.

"Lord Sesshomaru, welcome back." The guards on watch greeted him.

"Did you see anything suspicious while I was away," he demanded, every part of him on edge.

"None my lord. It's been relatively quiet." They replied.

With the unnerving feeling still gripping him, he rushed inside and headed for the miko's chambers. He wasted no time in opening the door once he got to the room. He almost growled in frustration. She wasn't there, and that anxious feeling kept growing. He needed to think. She knew better than to roam around by herself. Which meant she could be with Tsume or Hayate. Calming his mind with reason he went in search for the demoness. Fortunately he didn't have to look far. She was talking with Hayate near the library. Unfortunately, Kagome wasn't with them.

"Ah, Lord Sesshomaru," Hayate called out to the inu as he approached them. The tori noticed the subtle hint of nervousness in the daiyoukai's aura. "Is something wrong?"

"Where is the miko?"

"What do you mean?" Tsume asked. "You took her away moments ago."

"I had only just arrive," he said resisting another growl. Another thought dawned on him. "Did she have the pup?"

"Yes- Oh no," the demoness' eyes widened. She was tricked. She fell for their trick and now both Kagome and Mizuki could be- She shook her head from the negative thoughts. "It hasn't been long. We can still find them."

"I have been on guard this whole time. No one went out the west gate nor the front." Hayate commented.

"That leaves the east. Hayate follow me." Sesshomaru said silently before taking off.

Hayate looked at Tsume for a moment. "Will you be alright?"

She smiled sadly at him. "Just bring them back safe, okay?"

"Of course," he responded, before following after the inu-youkai.

I love a panicking Sesshomaru. I don't know why. I guess because if he ever shows he's worried about something that it's important to him. So forgive my oocness I just couldn't resist. It's as bad as my problems with cliff hangers :) Any way happy September. Four chapters this month. Two this week and maybe two next week. We'll see. :) please review and tell me what you think.