Hey look! This is number eight everyone and they keep on rolling on! Sorry if this one took so long. I tried to speed it up at the last minute. Sorry.

I don't own Naruto or Inuyasha

Chapter 8 Prisoner

"Ughn…" Kagome slowly awoke on a hard stone floor. She looked around and noticed she was in a cell. "Where…am I?"

"So you're awake now." Said a boy, standing out of it. His face was pale and he had deep red eyes.

"Where am I? Where is this place?"

"Far from help." The boy informed, "You're in Orochimaru's castle. You won't be able to get out."

"Who are you?"

The boy gave her a hard stare, "My name is Uhicha Sasuke. I'll inform my master that you have awoken." And with that he left.

Kagome didn't like the sound of this place. She could hear people moaning from the other cells. Would she be trapped here forever? She had certainly been in tight spots before but this time, she was dealing with beings she had never encountered before.

"Inuyasha." She softly said.

A while ago…

"How is Miroku doing?" Sango asked as Tsunade left the room the monk was held in.

"He'll be fine now. The poison didn't spread quick enough to do extreme damage but he won't be up for a while."

"DAMN!" Inuyasha growled.

"Calm down Inuyasha." Tsunade ordered, "You're in a hospital."

"How can I calm down? Kagome's been captured and we can't find her!" His head slumped to the floor, "I promised her I wouldn't loose her again."

"Inuyasha," Sango put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "We've been in tougher spots than this. We'll find Kagome."

"How?"

"Actually I may have the answer." Shino announced pulling a container from his jacket.

"Is that a…"

Shino nodded, "It's one of those poisonous insects that attacked. These insects return to Naraku, correct?"

Sango nodded.

"If we release it, we should be able to find the hideout."

"Alright then!" Inuyasha stood with new hope, "Let's save Kagome."

The Hokage halted the dog demon before he could run off.

"You have no idea about who you are facing here!" She growled. "You may know enough about Naraku but you have no Idea about Orochimaru. We need to share tactics each one uses so we can decide a perfect team."

Inuyasha growled but then said "Fine" with a grunt.

Kagome sat in her cell looking at the ceiling. 'Sasuke Uhicha…' she thought in her head, 'I remember his name…'

It was when Sakura and Naruto were helping her bring some items back to her room. Naruto was in front humming away and Sakura was beside her.

'Hey Sakura, can I ask you something?' Kagome asked.

'Sure,' Sakura smiled.

'Why are you and Naruto in a two person group? I thought that all teams were in three person cells.'

Sakura's and Naruto's eyes saddened, they suddenly halted. 'We did have another teammate with us…' she began. 'His name was Sasuke Uhicha.'

'Where is he now? Is he on a mission?'

'No…he's gone.'

'Oh my god! I am so sorry for bring that up! If I knew he was dead…'

'He's not dead.' Naruto said sadly, 'He was taken by Orochimaru.'

'Orochimaru? Isn't that the ninja that betrayed this village?'

Both of them nodded.

'Orochimaru has created a forbidden ninjitsu that involves putting himself in other's bodies. He now wants Sasuke's for his sharingan.'

Naruto noticed Kagome was confused by this. 'His eyes will turn red and give him incredible power.'

Sakura then continued, 'Orochimaru's cursed seal made Sasuke come to him. Naruto tried to stop him…but…'

Naruto's hands clenched into fists. 'I failed to bring him back. But I will bring him back! I won't let Orochimaru take him away!'

Kagome was touched by his words.

"I see you haven't moved from that spot since you awoke." Sasuke said approaching the cell. "I'm here to tell you that Naraku will be using you in a little bit for his plans. And once he's done with you, you will serve my master."

"I won't join you!" Kagome growled.

"You will in time."

"Why did you join with him Sasuke? Weren't you a leaf ninja?"

Sasuke halted by this. "…who told you that?"

"Your friends did. Naruto and Sakura. They want you back in the village. Don't you know what Orochimaru will do to you?"

Sasuke slammed his fist against the bar making a clang. "QUIET! THE ONLY THING THAT OROCHIMARU WILL DO IS MAKE ME STRONGER! STRONG ENOUGH TO KILL MY BROTHER AND AVENGE MY CLAN!" He then immediately put his hand back in his pocket, "I don't care about anything else." And with that he walked off.

A while back…

"Before we can do anything, I'd like to know who were dealing with here." Tsunade began. "Who does Naraku carry in his arsenal?"

"For one thing, he has all his incarnations." Said Sango, "Right now he has Kanna, and Kagura but he can spawn tons. He also has his poisonous insects. Then…" Sango shuddered, what would they do if they found out?

"Something wrong?" Tsunade asked.

Kiba never saw Sango looked this worried before. "Sango?"

"He also has my little brother Kohaku."

"Her brother!" Kiba couldn't believe it.

'You're like my little brother.'

"You mean to say. Your brother is working for the enemy? But I thought he was a demon slayer?"

"It's not Kohaku's fault." Inuyasha said, "Naraku possessed Kohaku for some time now."

Sango looked down in sorrow. "Naraku manipulated my brother to kill my father and our clan…we're the only one's left now."

'That's just like Sasuke!' Naruto thought.

"But he didn't mean it!" She cried, "Its Naraku controlling him! He'd never do any of it on purpose."

"And now Naraku uses him as a trump card?" Tsunade asked and was received a nod.

"Alright then. I'll tell you about Orochimaru." Tsunade cleared her throat then began. "Orochimaru, just like me and Jiraiya, he is a sennin, a snake sennin to be correct meaning he can summon snakes. He also has the whole sound village on his side meaning he has many ninja working for him. He uses people in disgusting experiments for his own amusement. He also has captured a ninja of ours, Uchiha Sasuke."

"I SWEAR IF HE USES KAGOME IN ONE OF HIS EXPERIMENTS, I'LL RIP HIM APART!" Inuyasha cried out.

Tsunade nodded. "The team is this, Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, Neji, Kiba, and Shino. This is a mission that could be s-ranked. Your objective is to bring back the captive known as Kagome and if you can, Sasuke."

"RIGHT!" All of them nodded.

"You will also be accompanied by Inuyasha, Sango and Koga."

"KOGA?" Inuyasha cried, "NOT THAT SCRAWNY WOLF!"

Tsunade gave him a dead stare, "He can be useful. We have no time for your arguments! Your friend's life is at stake. Put aside your differences and work together. That's how a ninja acts. NOW GO!"

Some time later…

It had been six hours since Kagome awoke in the cell and she was beginning to feel that whatever she was in for was coming up.

"Inuyasha" She silently called out. "Please hurry."

"It's no use." Sasuke said as he approached, "He can't find us." He unlocked the cell door, "Come, Naraku awaits your arrival." Kagome didn't struggle much since Sasuke was with two armed guards who grabbed her and dragged her off.

"Sasuke,"

"Hmm? What is it now?"

"What did your brother exactly do?"

"…I thought you already knew…he killed my entire clan."

"…"

"Hard to swallow?"

"No…it's just that…my friend Sango's brother killed her clan too."

"!"

"Yet she forgives Kohaku. She cares about him a lot. But he was possessed at the time."

"Then it's different." Sasuke snarled, "Her brother didn't mean it but mine did!" They stopped behind two giant doors. "Your destiny awaits you behind these doors. Goodbye."

"Wh-where are you going?"

"I'm leaving this place. I was only sent here to guard you and that was it."

Those were the last things that Sasuke said before Kagome went through the doors.

Meanwhile…

"Shippo," Shizune called out entering the room, "I brought you dinner."

Shippo was in the corner of the room riding on Tonton. Hearing about dinner he immediately ran to Shizune.

"I know that it's not like Kagome's cooking but the taste is good."

"Thanks Shizune." Shippo happily said as he began to chow down the food.

Shizune watched him with worry. He had just found out that Kagome was kidnapped. He threw a fit wanting to go along too but was told that he would be more of a burden. How is he taking it?

"And don't worry." Shizune said with a smile, "I know that Kagome will be found soon. The team that went off to find her is very powerful."

"I know she'll be saved." Shippo said, "Inuyasha's there with them."

"?"

"I'm not very strong but Inuyasha certainly is. He's the most powerful person in our group. And when someone's in danger, he can get the job done."

"…You're right. You're such a smart kid."

"HEY! I'M NOT A KID!" Shippo yelled.

BZZZ went the poisonous insect as it struggled to get to Naraku's lair. It was tied to a leash that Shino made for it. Since this bug moved so fast it was the best idea. They had been following that bug for three days now and still no sight of the hideout.

"This is your fault you mangy mutt!" Koga yelled at Inuyasha, "If you were watching Kagome correctly, she wouldn't have been captured!"

"Shut up you scrawny wolf!" Inuyasha barked back, "You wouldn't have even been able to protect her for six seconds."

"What did you say!"

"Shut up! Both of you!" Kakashi ordered, "Now's not the time to be quarreling! We have a mission to do. You have to put aside differences if we want to succeed."

Both of them nodded. They both finally agreed on something. If they were to save Kagome, they'd need to work together on it. No matter how much they hated each other.

"Fine," Inuyasha sighed, "But this will be the only time."

BZZZ

Shino yanked on the leash. "It seems that were very close to our target."

"Yeah he's right!" Koga exclaimed, "I can smell Kagome's scent."

"Me too!" Inuyasha seconded, he pointed to a part of the forest "It's coming from that direction."

"Alright everyone, we need to take precautions while entering." Kakashi explained, "First of all, Sango, Kirara cannot fly around this area, they'll see her."

"Way ahead of you." Said Sango as Kirara transformed back into her old self.

"Good, now here's the plan…"

"Heheheh…welcome Kagome." Naraku greeted as Kagome was dragged into the room.

The room was gigantic and the floor had symbols all over it, all leading to what looked like a coffin in the center. The only source of light was some candles set up by pillars revealing a strange looking man next to Naraku. He looked at her with delight.

"Let me guess, your Orochimaru."

"Clever girl." The snake sennin congratulated, "Now, do you know why you're here."

"You want me to find the last jewel shard for you."

"No…you're going to bring an old friend of yours back."

Kagome turned to the coffin in the center. "You mean…"

Naraku gave a chuckle, "Yes…Now let's begin shall we."

Two ninja grabbed Kagome and began to push her to a circle beside the coffin. The circle had strange writing on it; Kagome could only guess that it was a spell. She tried to jerk free of the two by biting and hitting them.

"That won't help you." Orochimaru said as he nodded to one of the ninjas.

That ninja pulled out a vile and made Kagome smell it. Suddenly, her body went numb.

"That's a very strong dose of paralyzing formula that I created. It helps when you don't want someone to get away. Now set her in place."

Kagome was laid in the circle as commanded. Naraku gave a smirk to Orochimaru announcing for it to begin. Ninja appeared from behind the pillars. Four to be exact. Each one made their way to the four corners of the edge of the writing and began to do hand seals. Each one did five then slammed their hands to the ground. The writing began to glow brighter and brighter until it was blinding blue light. Kagome could see her body began to glow. A strange stream of light began to leaver her body and swam inside the coffin. Kagome suddenly felt extremely weak as this happened. Her vision began to get all blurry as she fainted. The glowing dimmed and died out as the spell finished. An other ninja opened the coffin and pulled out a glowing young woman. A laid her before the two lords who watched as light disappeared from her.

Naraku waved his hand around her face feeling a pulsing energy from her, "I can feel the priestess's magic flowing within her. It has worked." A dozen poisonous insects swarmed around the woman and flew off with her.

"And now for the last part," Orochimaru slithered to Kagome clenching her in his claws.

"Errm…" Kagome struggled to stay awake.

"Brace yourself," Orochimaru warned, "This gift I'm about to give you is very painful." He opened his mouth to reveal sharp fangs ready to pierce her neck.

BOOM! The doors shattered into a thousand pieces.

"Humph…I wasn't expecting company so soon." Orochimaru said with a smile on his face.

"Inu…yasha…" Kagome faintly said.

"KAGOME!" Inuyasha burst into the room with Tetsuiga shining in his hands. He looked to see Kagome in the arms of a pale man. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!"

"Nothing yet." The man assured.

"…You must be Orochimaru."

"And you're Inuyasha. I've heard so much about you." He cocked his head over to Naraku.

"So you're here too huh? Guess I can take care of two nuisances."

"We were expecting you Inuyasha." Naraku chuckled, "I knew you'd come to find Kagome."

"He didn't come alone though!" Kiba announced revealing himself and Akamaru.

The clouds of dusts dispersed revealing the Konoha ninja with Koga, Sango, and Kirara.

"This is getting a bit crowded don't you think?" Orochimaru asked, "How bout we split up." He pulled a lever beside the corner of a wall.

CRASH! The ground collapsed beneath everyone's feet, falling into a pit below.

"Ow! That was a rude welcome." Koga growled standing back up. He looked to see that Kakashi, Kirara and Inuyasha were with him. "Oh great." He moaned, "The mutt's here."

"Kakashi sensei!" Cried a voice from behind.

Kakashi immediately turned to see a pile of rubble. "Sakura? Is that you?"

"Yes!" She yelled out. "Naruto, Sango, Kiba, Neji and Shino are here too."

'Good, the rest are safe.' Kakashi let out a sigh of relief,

"Kakashi-Sensei, were trapped. The rubble made us trapped in this tunnel."

"I'll use my wind scar to get them out." Inuyasha decided.

"NO!" Kakashi cried, "This area's unstable, you could make more rubble collapse."

"Then what do you think we should do?" Inuyasha growled, "Let them die in there."

Kakashi ignored him and then turned to the rubble blocking his students. "Sakura, all of you are ninja. We still have a mission at hand here and it's too dangerous to break through that wall. Go through the tunnel and try and complete your mission."

"Right!"

They heard faint footsteps leave.

"Don't worry," Kakashi assured, "They can take care of themselves."

"HEHEHEH…do you really believe that?" Said a voice in the shadows.

"WHO'S THERE!" Koga hollered, "SHOW YOURSELVES!"

Candle's began to light all around them revealing Orochimaru. He still had Kagome with him.

"YOU LET HER GO NOW!" Koga bellowed.

"I can't do that yet. I still haven't given her my present yet."

"Present?"

Kakashi's eye's widened with horror. "THE CURSED SEAL!"

Orochimaru gave a smile, "That's right." He opened his mouth and bit Kagome's neck.

"KAGOME!" Inuyasha cried.

Orochimaru gave out a laugh as he dropped the girl. Inuyasha watched as Kagome now began to make cries in pain. He also noticed a mark on her neck.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HER!" He barked.

"I gave her my cursed seal. It will grant her enormous power that is if she lives from it. It is extremely painful for just a mere girl like her, but her power will increase if she lives and she shall serve me."

"IN YOUR DREAMS!" Koga cried attacking.

Meanwhile…

"How long does this tunnel go?" Naruto wondered aloud, "It's like it goes on forever."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Kiba agreed, "It's like a labyrinth."

"A labyrinth?"

"Yeah, a maze that never ends."

"Hey," Sakura cried, "It's getting brighter up ahead."

"Be on your toes everyone." Shino announced, "We may be up against more sound ninja."

"Maybe even Sasuke." Naruto said to himself. 'And if he is. I'll make sure to bring him back.'

As they neared they saw the candles that had light the way and two giant doors leading to someplace unknown. There was someone waiting for them there too, a young boy wearing a demon slayers outfit like Sango's.

"K-KOHAKU!" Sango cried.

Kohaku stared at her with his trance face. "I see that all of you lived from the fall. My master is waiting for you."

"Kohaku, don't go!" Sango cried but he had already run off into the doors.

"Sango, is that your brother?" Kiba asked and was given a nod.

"There's something really odd about him." Sakura pointed out with a shudder, "His body…It doesn't have any chakra."

Naruto flipped. "B-but if it doesn't"

Sakura nodded, "That means that Kohaku's already dead."

"But dead bodies don't just walk around!" Kiba said, "He could just hide his chakra really well."

"No, there right." Sango softly said, "My brother is somewhat dead. Only the jewel shard in his back now keeps him alive. But now's not the time for that story, I'll tell it to you when we get back to the village. Right now we have to focus on getting back Kagome and Kohaku."

"And don't forget Sasuke." Sakura mentioned.

Once the doors opened it revealed a dark room covered in a strange mist as they entered. It wasn't poisonous but it was creepy. The room was huge and only had six candles for light.

"So it seems that you've arrived." Said a cold voice as it appeared.

"Naraku!" Sango growled.

"You all seem angry about something."

"Were going to stop you!" Naruto cried out, "NOW TELL US WHERE SASUKE IS!"

"You must be the boy called Naruto." Naraku gave a grin, 'He's the one I want. I can sense the demon within him. He's perfect.'

"Just as Sasuke said, you have a big mouth."

"So you've seen him?" Sakura asked.

"Yes I have, but he left a while ago. It's useless to look for him here."

"Damn!" Naruto muttered "another dead end."

Naraku knew this was his chance. "Maybe if you beat me, I'll tell you where he is."

"Sounds good to me."

"Don't Naruto!" Sango commanded, "Thousands have died fighting him and his incarnations, its best if you leave this to me while we wait for the others."

"Heh heh. Foolish Sango. You think you have a choice in the matter?"

SLAM! Went the doors as they shut and the mist went higher into the room. Sango tried to open them but they were locked.

"No one will leave until I get what I came here for."

"Well then," Kiba smirked while pulling out a kunai, "Let's give him what he wants."

"You think it's that easy?" Naraku laughed, "You will soon find out that you won't even land a blow on me."

SLAM! Kiba was knocked to into the wall.

"Kiba!" Sango cried as she rushed to him. "Damn it Naraku, using the mist so we can't see you attack."

"Who said I was the one attacking?" Naraku revealed Kohaku with his sickle.

"NO! Don't use Kohaku in this!"

"If you want me to stop then fight me."

"Not with them around!"

"We have no choice!" Neji called out, "We'll just have to fight him. BAYAKUGAN!" Neji activated his blood limit searching for Naraku. It was odd; it was as if Naraku wasn't in the room at all. "I…I can't find him? How can this be?"

Sakura noticed that the mist had taken a new color and with some new examination…

"It's the mist!" She cried, "Neji, the mist has some kind of substance that blocks chakra! You won't be able to see him."

"Don't we have a wise one with us?" Naraku said creeping up to her. Sakura had no time to attack. If Naraku hit her, she'd certainly be dead.

Meanwhile…

Orochimaru dodged the wolf demon's attacks with ease.

"Just what I was expecting from you. Weak!" He summoned a bunch of snakes that sent Koga colliding to the ground.

"DAMN!" Koga snarled, "This guy is tougher than he looks. I just thought he was some old guy."

"Don't underestimate Orochimaru." Kakashi warned, "He is the snake sennin and one not to be trifled with."

"ERRGH!" Kagome moaned.

Inuyasha watched as Kakashi examine the bite.

"Well?"

He just shook his head. "She doesn't seem to be doing to well. The cursed seal is growing."

Kagome silently said, "I…Inu…yasha…"

"GRR! YOU BASTARD!" Inuyasha pulled out his sword, "You'll pay for what you did to Kagome! I'll rip you apart like the snake that you are!"

Orochimaru gave a chuckle, "Such words coming from a half breed."

"WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT! WIND SCAR!"

Orochimaru gave a smirk as he did some hand seals and slammed his fists in the ground. "SUMONING JUJITSU!"

POOF a gigantic snake arose. The blast barley even did a scratch to the enormous animal.

"That sorta tickles." The snake said, "How irritating."

Meanwhile…

"Duck Sakura!" Shino commanded as he threw a kunai in her direction.

Naraku easily dodged it but had to give up his slash attack. "Foolish boy," He said in his cold tone, "You won't kill me so easily."

"Try saying that after you had a taste of this!" Shino let out of his sleeves bugs. They gathered into a cloud that was about to hit Naraku.

"Too weak." Naraku waved his hand and dozens of his poisonous insects emerged from the mist and devoured all of Shino's cavalry. The insects then attacked Shino as Naraku disappeared back into the mist.

"SHINO!" Sakura cried as she grabbed a kunai. She then started to slash at the bugs ripping each one apart.

Suddenly, the bugs got scared and flew away from Shino.

"What?"

Shino struggled up, "I used some of my stink bugs to make an odor that would get rid of Naraku's insects."

"Yuck!" Sakura said as she now could smell the stench, "You'd better take a bath when we get back."

"You two alright?" Sango asked rushing up.

Sakura nodded, "Were fine."

"You're going to pay for this!" Naruto hollered into the mist.

"Naruto, yelling won't help us." Neji growled, "We need to find out where he is."

"How do you think we'll do that!"

"I've got it!" Kiba cried out, "Akamaru! Let's do our new technique."

"ARF!"

Both collided together and created a twister like Koga's. Slowly, the mist was sucked in showing the entire room to them.

"Nice thinking Kiba!" Sakura thanked.

'I'll have to thank Koga for this attack.' The dog boy thought.

WHOOSH! A sickle went flying in the air straight at the twister. The twister's wind didn't even blast away the weapon. Instead, the sickle sliced right through it and hit Kiba in the back.

Sango stood in horror, "KIBA!"

"GGHHHK" The boy fell to the ground as blood flowed from the wound.

"Aroo" went his companion.

Sakura examined the injury and then began to treat it, "It looks deep but I don't think it's that dangerous."

"Good." Sango turned to the attacker, none other than her own brother. She looked at him then to Naraku, the one playing with her brother like a puppet. "You're going to get it this time Naraku!"

"You cannot defeat me Sango." The demon said, "I'm much too powerful for a mere human like you."

"Try facing me!" Naruto cried as he charged at him.

The demon watched with much amusement as the mist consumed him.

The mist then began to get thicker until no one could see anything. Sango immediately Kept close to Sakura and Kiba, making sure not to take a single step in front or lose them in the mist.

"Neji," Sakura cried out, "Shino, Naruto! Can you guys hear us?"

"Yes!" Neji called out, "I'm with Shino."

"Where's Naruto?"

"I don't know. He saw Naraku and tried to attack him."

'What if Naraku found out about Naruto being a vessel?' Sango worried, 'He'll be in big trouble ifNaraku did.'

Meanwhile…

"ALRIGHT!" Naruto cried, "I KNOW YOUR IN HERE! SHOW YOURSELF!"

The mist cleared away for a moment revealing the demon known as Naraku. "You'll never become a decent ninja if you keep letting your emotions get the better of you."

"Shut up!" Naruto held out a kunai, "Tell me where Sasuke went!"

"Your anger reveals a strange power within you. It seems that the angrier you get with me…the more the Kyuubi shows."

Naruto was shocked, "H-how do you know about that! Did Orochimaru tell you?"

The only reply was a chuckle.

"You think this is funny! You won't think so when I'm through with you! KAGEN BUSHIN JUJITSU!" (Hope I spelled that right.) Three clones formed identical to Naruto, each holding a Kunai and charged.

"Foolish fox. You think that can stop me?" Naraku easily dodged each one of them and only using his left hand, slashed them in half. As the real Naruto charged in, Naraku grabbed him by the neck and raised him up high.

Naruto squirmed to try and breath but the hand wrapped tighter around his neck.

"Look how weak you are against my grasp. Even with Kyuubi chakra you still are nothing compared to my power."

Naraku extended his other hand revealing a jewel shard, "Kyuubi, this is a gift from me."

Naraku jammed his hand in Naruto's stomach. Red chakra oozed out as he dropped the boy on the floor. The chakra consumed the boy's body as he screamed out in pain.

"GRAAAH" It sounded more like an animal than human. Naruto's screaming died down as he fell into unconsciousness.

Naraku moved toward the lifeless boy and whispered in his ear, "Kyuubi, if you want to be free of this boy, I shall help you. Wait for my signal and go to the forest." He then disappeared into the shadows.

"Look!" Sakura exclaimed, "The mist is disappearing."

Sango Turned to Neji, "Is Naraku in the room still?"

Neji searched with Bayakugan, "I don't see him, nor Kohaku…Wait! I see Naruto!" Neji pointed to a dark corner where a battered boy in an orange jumpsuit approached.

"Hey guys." Naruto greeted.

"You alright Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah I'm fine."

THWAK

"OW! What was that for?"

"For being an idiot!" She hollered in his ear, "You went up against a deadly demon by yourself! You could have been killed!"

"OW! Sakura-Chan, that hurts!"

"Naruto, you're bleeding." Shino pointed to his shirt, now having a rip in it, revealing a fresh cut.

"Oh yeah, he hit me at the last minute…OW!"

Sakura immediately hit him again, "You moron! That's why we stay in a group!"

"I wonder why Naraku left all of the sudden." Sango pondered, "He must have something planned. Anyway, Naruto, you're extremely lucky he didn't kill you."

Kiba began to make a noise as he awoke, "Ermm…what happened?"

"RUFF," Went Akamaru as he jumped into Kiba's chest.

"Kiba," Sango said in relief, "I'm glad you're alright."

Kiba's face turned red as he stared at her eyes. "Uhh…yeah…I'm fine."

"Can you stand?"

"Yeah, I think so…OWCH!" Kiba kneeled in pain from his back.

"That wound was pretty deep." Sakura informed, "I couldn't heal it all the way. Someone will need to carry you."

"Huh? No way…I can stand…guh?" Kiba suddenly found himself being lifted from the ground by Sango.

"Now's not the time to protect your pride, we need to find a way out of here."

"…"

"Besides, I carry Miroku like this whenever he's injured; it's really no big deal."

"Gulp…o-okay."

Sango then turned her head to the fox vessel, still bleeding. "Naruto, that cut could be pretty bad. Sakura should treat it."

"Huh?" Naruto looked down to see it was still bleeding, 'How? It should have already healed.'

"Naruto, you alright."

Naruto snapped out of his thought. "Uh, yeah…okay."

Meanwhile…

"DAMN!" Inuyasha cursed as he threw another wind scar attack at the snake. "Nothing's working."

"I…Inuyasha…" Kagome moaned in her sleep.

Inuyasha sent her a sympathetic look, 'Don't worry Kagome, I'll stop them.'

"I won't let them take you away!"

"It seems that girl won't even survive." Orochimaru chuckled, "Yet you still cling to her. You can't even concentrate like this. How about we kick things up a notch?"

With a snap of his fingers he sent the snake right at Kagome. Its jaws opened ready to swallow her whole.

"Oh no you don't!" Inuyasha blocked the snake's mouth with his own sword, now being chewed upon by the serpent.

"You think this twig will stop me?" The snake asked.

"No, but he will…KAKASHI!"

"Right!" Kakashi activated his chidori attack and smacked the snake right in the face

Poof! The snake immediately disappeared leaving Orochimaru against the three.

"Till we meet again." Orochimaru chuckled as he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Damn!" Koga cursed, "He got away."

"We have more important things to worry about." Kakashi assured, "Like Kagome."

All three grouped around her as Kakashi examined the mark.

"This doesn't look good…what?" Kakashi was surprised to see her neck glowing.

It glowed with a white light that seemed to be of pure magic. It immediately wrapped around the mark, shrinking it till it was no more. Not even a scratch was left.

"Krii." Kirara mewed as she licked Kagome's neck.

"That was incredible!" Kakashi gasped, "The mark disappeared.

"It must have been because of her priestess powers." Inuyasha said as he put the girl gently on his back. "Will she be alright now?"

Kakashi nodded, "But its best if we let the fifth look at her to make sure."

"Krii" Kirara cried running down the tunnel.

"What's up with the cat?" Koga asked.

"She wants us to follow her." Said Kakashi.

"Kirara?" said a voice from down the tunnel.

"That sounds like Sango!" Inuyasha cried, "Hey Sango! Were over here."

Suddenly, figures appeared from the darkness revealing one to be Sango and the others the ninja.

"Kriii"

"It's great to see you Kirara." Sango said with a warm smile. She then noticed Kagome in Inuyasha's arms, "Kagome! Is she…."

"Don't worry," Kakashi assured, "She'll be alright. How about all of you."

Sango frowned, "We met Naraku and Kohaku along the way."

Inuyasha was enraged by this. "What! Damn him! That coward, he should be facing me!"

"It was weird though, he just vanished in the middle of the battle."

"He must be up to something."

"That doesn't matter right now." Koga huffed, "What matters is getting out of here and getting Kagome help."

"We found a door leading out." Shino announced, "It's just down this pathway."

Inuyasha nodded silently.

Kagome's body felt the warm presence of another as she slept. She opened her eyes a crack to see that they were moving. Opening her eyes a little wider she noticed white hair.

"I…Inuyasha?" She hoarsely said.

Inuyasha's ears pricked up by this and turned a bit to see her, "Hey, Kagome," He softly said, "How ya feeling?"

"Terrible." She softly said, "I feel like I did an all nighter studying. I'm really tired."

"Then you get some sleep. We're heading for the village soon."

"Okay" Her eyes slowly shut as she drifted into a dream world.

"I promise you Kagome." Inuyasha whispered to himself, "I'll get those guys for what they did to you. I'll never let you out of my sight again."

Meanwhile…

The young woman, once in the coffin, was laid on a soft bed. Her attire was a white kimono and her hair was long and black. Her eyes opened slowly and she stood up to see her surroundings.

"Ah, it seems that you are awake," Said a man with round glasses and silver hair. He appeared in the corner of the room and now approached.

The woman just stared at him, examining his features.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kabuto, I'm a ninja."

"And who am I?" the woman asked softly.

"You are Kikyo, a ninja like me." He placed some new clothes beside her, "Here, this is your outfit for today. When you're done changing, please leave the room. I'll be waiting outside to escort you to our Lords, Orochimaru and Naraku." And with that, he left her.

The woman began to examine the outfit prepared for her and came across a headband. It had metal plating and a music note placed upon it.

'So,' she thought, 'I'm a ninja? And I serve Orochimaru and Naraku? If that is my purpose, then so be it.'

Kikyo is now back, what's going to happen now? Keep reading to find out. Next time: Mini story of what happened to Shippo as the others went on the mission. He meets Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon and shows off a bit to them.