The rage inside me glowed. My innards festering with heat as I ran with all my might into the direction where Naraku's stench festered. The sky was no longer bright, the darkness filling everything, the moon barely shining.

I didn't ponder on the sky for long, remembering very well how I dealt with darkness when alone. It was creepy, the forest that I had approached was dead silent, not even the insects made their usually sounds of life. I knew perfectly why, it was the smell. Naraku's smell was fowl, as I could detect the its growing strength. The air was getting prickly, my instincts practically screaming at me to turn around and run.

Before the idea could be processed though, a loud thud came from her right. I froze and took out my sword, crouching low. My breathing became hurried, the unknowing knowing at me until I was bare. It was Kouga; his head had smashed into the tree that she was standing next to, a man's firm hand clutching his throat. None of them seemed to have noticed me, as Kouga kicked the man away.

"Get off me!" he shouted throwing the man away. I stared the man wasn't a man at all. His scent . . .. I gasped staring at Kouga's attacker. His scent was almost identical to Naraku's, just as Kagura's had been.

Though usually that fact alone would have unnerved me enough, there was something else about this demon that gave me shivers. He was shackled, iron wrapped around both wrists and ankles, a metal mask covering his mouth. His long hair masked his eyes, but something told me I didn't want to see them.

Kouga had risen to his feet, his breathing accelerating. He gave the demon a dirty look as he massaged the bruises that were forming on his throat. The demon pranced, circling Kouga slowly, eyeing him carefully. It was almost as if he were the lion stalking his prey.

Then, inhumanly fast, the demon pounced, punching Kouga dead in the stomach. Kouga rasped in pain, falling to the ground, as the demon went in for another grab for his throat.

Without thinking, I launched myself at the both of them, tackling the demon to the ground. He was of firm built, and obviously had the strength to hit me, to do me ultimate harm. But I didn't care. That smell of his meant that Naraku was here . . . somewhere.

I rolled the demon under me and went in for the first punch, to which he didn't even flinch. Then I stopped, catching the red gleam in the demon's eyes, as if he caught something.

"Ah Kaname. You've finally arrived." My head snapped up at the voice, the carrier known all too well to me. Naraku.

He was ten feet away, nearly masked by the bushes, watching. He wore the usual Bamboo mask and furs, masking the sight of his face. I growled, forgetting completely the demon that I had just attacked.

"Naraku you bastard," Kouga hissed, pain clearly literate in his voice. Narku let out a nasty laugh, not moving from where he stood.

"Was my incarnation too much for you Kouga? I thought you were going to finish him, but I suppose not." He paused looking back to where I was, tackling the incarnation to the ground. I had nearly forgotten about him at the sight of Naraku. Foolish mistake.

Something gripped my throat, making give a choked scream as the demon flipped me over to the ground. He squeezed his hold on my throat, blocking any oxygen from coming to me. Bastard, I thought catching at his knuckles. His face was impassive, but his eyes were bright with elation. My lungs burned and my body began to spasm.

Gripping my sword I used what strength I had to thrust it up, aiming for the demon face. The demon backed away, letting go of me. I gasped and choked, blissful air filling my lungs. My fingers gripped the soil, my vision going fuzzy as my tears burned my raw skin.

I noticed the dark blurr that was the demon; he was crouched circling me as he did with Kouga. I couldn't tell exactly, my eyes kept tearing up as I continued to cough. He's gonna go in again, I thought my eyes glued to the earth under me. Feeling helpless I bent over and turned over rolling away. Thankfully it was just in time, since I heard the sound of the ground shake. I continued to roll over, finally reaching enough distance from the him to will myself to get up. I rummaged for my sword and felt nothing.

The familiar squeeze of panic stuck me as I showered my waist for the sword and couldn't find it.

"Agh! What the hell!" I shouted looking up. The demon was rushing forward, and I did the only thing that came to mind: I ran.

Sidestepping, I sprinted down the forest, grabbing Kouga by the collar as I did. Kouga got the message, and shrugged my hand away, before he went dashing forward and disappearing into the trees.

"Dammit," I muttered, brushing off the bushes and leaves as I descended deeper into the forest. I glanced behind me and saw the demon and Naraku running as well, their steps not too far behind me. I didn't know if it was deliberate or if they really couldn't catch me, but I didn't waste time deliberating on it.

I jumped over a log, turned down trails without stopping to see where they would take me. Then, as I turned over to see if I lost them, my foot caught on a tree root. I smacked onto the naked earth, landing head long on my face. I coughed, feeling the pain on my throat and face throb.

Branches cracked. More branches twisted. Two people had approached from behind me. I didn't breath as I turned up, facing both monsters as they stared at the fallen heap that was I.

I tipped my head back, daring either one of them to come forward. Neither the demon nor Naraku moved, the only movement being the rustling of the wind.

"Or maybe it's Kouga," a small voice probed in my head. I doubted it; Kouga had looked mighty terrified when he fought this demon.

"Have you given up Kaname?" Naraku said. "Are you ready to come with me willingly?"

Was he serious? Did he honestly believe that I would just give up and let him take me? No. I would never. Just the thought of it, of coming willingly with that beast, was too disturbing to consider. I tilted my head back and glared at Naraku.

"Go can go to hell."

Naraku laughed harshly and motioned the demon forward in my direction. On the bat, demon crouched down, his evil eyes gleaming red in the darkness.

Without hesitating, I flipped over to my feet, raising my fists up in defense. The demon didn't falter though, because he went at it again, pulling as many punching to me as possible. I swerved, curved, and ducked as he continued, backing up slowly. As I did so, my eyes went on alert, searching for an opening to strike. He had a weakness; he had to have a weakness. Something.

Then demon's fist faulted briefly and I took the chance, grabbing his arm and kicking his leg as I turned him over on my back. The demon fell to the floor on his back, his face not detecting any shock or pain.

"What the hell are you," I said, backing up more. I wasn't taking any chances with this thing.