Disclaimer: All characters from Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me. This is an Alternate Universe story. Events that happened in the manga and anime have not happened in this universe, so slight differences in character should be expected.

Chapter Two: Listen to What I Say

He's insane.

Absolutely, undeniably, freaking insane.

"I'll be right back, my sweet."

Great. Take your time there, psycho. At least he didn't try to kiss her this time. Guess biting his lip hard enough to draw blood last time made him think twice. As soon as the door closed, Kagome pulled herself up so that she could start pulling at the knots at her wrists with her teeth.

She had to escape. She had to get back home to Inuyasha.

Her movements stilled at the thought of him. She wondered if he was at another 'business meeting' with Kikyo. They were probably still together sipping champagne or something while she gnaws on ropes like a mouse. No. Inuyasha wouldn't be coming to save her. She had to save herself. Besides, after that note on the mirror, chances of him even wanting her back were slim.

Why did he have to love Kikyo?

Even though he was still with her, she knew that he was thinking of his ex. Then again, didn't everyone love Kikyo? Her cousin was the epitome of perfection. Beautiful. Kind. Talented. Selfless. Intelligent. Heck, she was practically a candidate for sainthood. She really wished she could bring herself to hate her. But even though she may hold Inuyasha's heart, he had chosen to stay by Kagome's side, and that was enough. As long as she had part of him, she could be happy.

Assuming she made it out of this mess alive.

She had always suspected that there was something a little… off… about him. He was always very nice to her. VERY nice. Even when she made it clear that she was with Inuyasha, he continued to bring her flowers and quote poetry to her. Thinking it was a harmless infatuation, she didn't try too hard to dissuade him. Plus, it was kind of flattering. Not to mention that Inuyasha's jealousy would flare up and he'd get all possessive, and that was kind of flattering too.

If only he hadn't kissed Kikyo.

If only Kouga hadn't seen the kiss too.

Kagome had been devastated when she saw the kiss. Sango took her out for some therapeutic ice cream sundaes, but even double chocolate with marshmallow sauce wasn't enough to heal her wounds. So she had gone home to sulk. She had waved good-bye to Sango and walked into her home.

It had been destroyed.

Instead of leaving the house to call the police, she had whipped out her cell phone and started dialing. Before she could hit the third number it had been snatched out of her hand and crushed. For a moment she had been glad to see Kouga, glad to have a friend with her while an intruder was in the house. It took her a few minutes to realize that HE was the intruder.

Since he was blocking the door, she had made a dash to the bedroom where she would be able to crawl out a window. But he had stopped her. He punched the wall by her head, terrifying her into standing still. He had ranted and raved as he continued to punch the wall. Then he stopped. He apologized, telling her that he loved her. He was coming to save her. That he was going to tear out Inuyasha's eyes for hurting her. That he was going to cut off his hands for touching her. Then he took her into the bathroom, shoved a lipstick that she thought she had lost, and forced her to write a hateful note to him on the bathroom mirror.

Then he hit her.

The blow had knocked her out. When she woke up she was in a car, hands bound and her mouth gagged. He apologized, again, and told her it was the quickest and safest way to get her out of there. She cried and he cooed soothing words, but that only made her cry harder.

The tears eventually dried up by the time they got to their destination. Kagome hoped that someone would think something was suspicious about him dragging a hostage into his home. But no one ever came. And it had been days. Or was it weeks?

The first few days had been terrifying. She didn't think she'd ever stop crying. Kouga's oaths of love and devotion did nothing but sicken her now. She had to stop acting on the fight or flight (all flight really) instinct and start using her brain.

The rope moved slightly. She could swear that it did. Wiggling her hands she tried to pull them out. The skin was already raw and bleeding from her previous attempts, but she wasn't going to give up. Tears of frustration welled up as she realized that it hadn't moved enough. The ropes were still far too tight. She relaxed her hands and put some slack in the rope, then she went back to pulling at it with her teeth.

This time she had to get out.

The first escape almost worked. After all, Kouga thought she would be pleased at her 'rescue', so he had simply taken her to 'their' room and locked her in. The first time he walked back through the door she had brought a wooden chair down on his head and leapt over his fallen body. Unfortunately he caught her as she was jumping and never quite made it past the hallway. It had been a satisfying hit though. Unfortunately, it meant that she was to be restrained.

So he tied her hands, leaving about two feet of length between the hands. She had jumped on his back and tried garroting him with the rope, so he had tied her hands together at the wrists. It was a shame. If he hadn't knocked her into the wall so hard she would have been two seconds from freedom.

Having wrists bound together did not make one helpless. She was still able to lift some things, which is why her hands were also tied to the headboard of the bed now. It was totally worth it for the look of surprise on his face when she swung the broken chair leg at his head. It also did not restrain her feet and knees, which made good use of the openings he gave her. She had downed him with one kick. That time she actually made it to the front door.

But the psycho had thought of everything, and doors had locks that required a key from the inside too. Adrenaline had given her enough energy to grab a chair and hurl it through the window. But that had taken up too much precious time, and she was soon escorted back to her prison. So now she was further restrained. So this next time had to be THE time.

Footsteps halted her plans. She scooted back down the bed and tried very hard to look innocent, and not like an escapee.

"Miss me, my love?"

"Kouga, please let me go."

He smiled warmly and sat down beside her. "You are so charming. Look! I brought you a present." Happily he reached into his pocket and brought out a jewelry box. "Open it!"

She bit her lip to keep from saying she was tied up at the moment. He wasn't stable enough for humor.

He gives a little laugh and reaches up to untie her hands (still bound together) from the rope that was attached to the headboard. The pain in her arms was excruciating, and she let out a hiss of pain. Keeping her arms in one position for so long made it agony when she was finally able to move them.

Her first instinct was to roll off the bed and run, but she'd never make it. And there was nothing around for her to clobber him with. Maybe… maybe she should start thinking things through a little. Maybe she could keep him from tying her arms back to the headboard. Maybe she could use that small freedom to find a way out, or at least plot a much better attack. The maybes were adding up, but they were looking possible.

"Oww," she groaned pitifully.

"You okay, love?"

With perhaps a little more slowness than necessary, Kagome pulled herself up to a sitting position. She did her best to look vulnerable, and not conniving.

"My arms hurt so bad." It was the truth. "Keeping them up like that hurts so bad." She let a few tears fall. She had to be careful though. If she let too many fall she'd never be able to stop them from flooding. She couldn't afford to let herself lose control.

He wiped her tears and she tried not to cringe.

"Poor angel," he crooned. "This will make you feel better." He reached down into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box.

When he placed it in her hand she trembled. He laughed again when she was unable to open it. So he opened it for her. Before she could even process what it was, he had taken it out of the box, not even paying attention when the velvet box hit the floor.

"It's a ring!" He was as excited as a child.

He reached for her hand, and she couldn't help but jerk her hands to her chest.

"Please, Kouga… no…"

"Its real gold, Kagome. And a real diamond! You deserve so much more than this piece of tin."

She made a tight fist as he pulled on her left hand.

"No… Kouga… I can't…. please understand…"

"I love you, Kagome. I want you for my wife."

"I… can't…." She didn't care if her arms were tied back up. It was a better fate than what she feared he had in store.

"You'll be as happy as your friend Sango."

He pushed her gently, but firmly, until she was lying back on the bed. When he put his hand on her stomach she whimpered. Ignoring her pleas, he held her left hand and pried the ring finger straight. Then he slid off the silver ring, replacing it with the gold. She watched as he sat up and angrily threw her ring against the wall.

It broke her heart to see it fall. He hadn't had the money to buy her a ring from a jewelry store, so he had his friend Toutosai teach him how to make a ring. The etchings on the outside weren't perfect, and the ring may not be an exact circle, but Inuyasha had made it himself. Every so often he would swear to her that he would buy her a proper ring, and every time she would swear that she would pinch off his ears if he tried to so much as take it off her finger.

"I take you as my wife," he said as he turned back to her.

She closed her eyes so he wouldn't see the hatred in her eyes. Over my dead body. Bracing herself for the fight of her life, Kagome sent one last prayer that at least Inuyasha would never find out just what happened in this room. She could feel him leaning over him. Slowly she took deep breaths. Catching him off guard would help her. Had he left the door open? Surely he hadn't had time to fix the window she broke yet. Her pulse was pounding in her veins so hard she could actually hear it.

Kouga swore viciously.

Opening her eyes, Kagome looked at him curiously. Then she realized that there was someone pounding on the door. Then she heard his voice.

"YOU BETTER OPEN UP KOUGA! WHERE'S KAGOME?"

She nearly fell off the bed she sat up so fast. He had come for her! He actually came for her! The tears began flowing, and she couldn't stop them. Kouga slapped his hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs. Then he reached behind his back and pulled out a revolver. Kagome gasped, successfully quieting the sobs.

"If you make even a sound, I will kill him."

He backed out of the room as he clicked the safety off, then shut the door. Kagome scrambled off the bed and went to the door. In his haste to get rid of his distraction, he had neglected to lock it. Frantically she looked around for a weapon, but there was nothing to be found. He had taken nearly everything out of the room.

She had to do something.

She had to save Inuyasha.

The shouting started before she even reached the door. She couldn't help but grin as she heard Inuyasha swearing. She never thought she'd be so happy to hear THOSE words, but she was. But as her hand touched the handle she heard the door close, then Inuyasha's voice faded.

Her legs wouldn't hold her weight and she dropped to the floor. It was unbelievable. It couldn't be true. No. Oh please no. Then she heard a car start in the distance.

Inuyasha left.

Despair threatened to overwhelm her. Her hands were shaking as she wiped the tears from her face. The sound of the refrigerator door opening spurred her into action. If he was stopping for something to drink or eat, then she had a few precious seconds. Quickly she crawled to where her ring had fallen. She managed to slip it on her right hand. Ignoring the funny way the ring felt on the wrong finger, she looked about frantically. It was a very short search since Kouga had emptied out the room.

There was no place to hide, and no weapon to be found.

Well…

…except herself.

ooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Author's Note:

Thank you for the positive responses to chapter one. I hope you guys enjoy this one. This is a short four chapter story.