Well, I'm finally back with another chapter…Sorry it took so long.

But, now that I've gotten the plot moving, I'm getting more involved in writing the chapters, so I hope to keep updating semi-regularly. I mean, stuff comes up (like finals in May so don't expect an update in anything for the first two weeks of May) so hopefully all goes well.

Anyway, enough of my ranting, here's the next chapter!!

Chapter 5 – Taken

Serena was very confused now. What happened last night? Why did Inu-Yasha's touch affect me like that? The walk back to the others had seemed to take forever, as they both had remained surprisingly silent. Why was there so much tension? I mean, we didn't do anything wrong…we didn't do anything at all! I didn't jump on him or anything…so why do I feel guilty?

Trudging along behind the others, she kept her thoughts to herself as the marched to the next village. Directly in front of her was Sango, who was almost as silent as Serena herself, except she sighed every few minutes as she stared at Miroku in front of her. Kirara was at her side, in full demon-cat mode and a dozing Shippo rested on her back. Sango seems almost as depressed as me lately…I wonder what's been happening between her and Miroku?

The young monk in question had an amused smile on his face, but he was absorbed in listening to the argument taking place at the front of the group. Inu-Yasha and Kagome were walking side by side, muttering and grumbling at each other. Serena hadn't paid attention to the words, but was almost certain that it was about Inu-Yasha's attitude when they had returned to the others the night before. The moment they'd arrived, he'd snapped at Kagome before jumping into a tree to spend the night there. Serena sighed audibly. Is it my fault they're arguing? Whether I like it or not, something strange happened last night between me and Inu-Yasha to make him act so oddly…

At Serena's sigh, Sango had slowed her pace until she was walking next to the shuffling teenager. Biting her lip, Serena waited for the woman to speak the words that were obviously on her mind.

"Did something happen last night? Inu-Yasha went after you, and when you came back, he started acting weirdly…"

"I don't know. All I did was show him my tattoo and then the walk back was all…awkward." Although 'awkward' really doesn't begin to cover it.

"Oh." The duo walked in silence again for awhile, with only the sounds of the forest and the argument ahead of them to occupy the void, before Serena decided to satisfy her curiosity.

"Sango, is something going on between you and Miroku?" Her friend's face blushed bright red, but it faded fast.

"What-what do you mean?"

"Well, after we defeated Iokji, I remember seeing you two holding hands when you thought no one was looking. But lately, you two seem like you've been fighting again…So what happened?" It was Sango's turn to sigh.

"I…I don't know. After yo-Iokji injured me," Serena noticed Sango's slip, but decided to ignore it temporarily. "Miroku acted really sweetly…But then he started with his lecherous ways again…"

"By 'lecherous ways', do you mean how he keeps flirting with me, no matter how hard we hit him?" Sango hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. I knew that was the problem! "Okay, well there's an easy way to fix your troubles." The demon slayer turned to her in surprise.

"There is?" The young blonde nodded.

"Yep. First off, I do not like Miroku like that. There is no power on this earth, short of mind-controlling demons or possessions that could make me do anything even remotely romantic with him. Unless he finds kicks to his groin enticing." They both giggled in tandem for a few moments. "Secondly…he likes you, Sango. It's obvious that he's completely taken with you. He's probably just flirting with me to see if it makes you jealous."

"I never thought about that…How did you?" Serena shrugged. I've just had a lot of time to think this past night…

"Nothing like getting abandoned by her boyfriend to make a woman insightful." And before Sango could respond, she rushed forward to interfere in the argument between Inu-Yasha and Kagome that had taken a near-physical turn. I have to do everything around here…

"This is a nice inn!" Kagome exclaimed upon seeing the room they'd rented for the night. They bustled in and began unpacking their sleepwear.

"Feh." A stern snort came from the corner just beside the door. This is a waste of time…

"Cheer up, dog-boy; it really is a beautiful inn." Serena smiled at him as she dumped her backpack unceremoniously on the floor.

"Don't call me that." She shrugged at his request, and turned back to the others. At least she didn't call me mutt… Inu-Yasha settled back into the corner which he'd crouched into. We should still be searching for Naraku; sleep is for weaklings…damn humans…

"Hmm…" Serena pursed her lips together and scanned the room while the others continued to ready themselves for the night. "…I'm gonna go for a walk."

"Again?" Kagome asked in surprise, turning to look at her cousin.

"Yeah, I…uh…got some energy to burn." Energy?! She's been acting like a sloth all day… He continued to glare at the cousins as a small argument ensued, only to have Kagome sigh and throw her hands into the air.

"Fine. But please come back this time, I worry…" The blonde grinned, nodding.

"Yes, Mom."

"Oh, shut up." The girls giggled and Inu-Yasha frowned. What the hell are they giggling about? Serena headed towards the door he was sitting in front of and he prepared to get up when Miroku intercepted her, grasping her hands as per his custom.

"Serena, you should not go unaccompanied. After all, this is unfamiliar territory; there may be demons about. A young and vulnerable lady such as yourself could be attacked on a dark night such as this." Come on, kick him again! The girl rolled her eyes and tugged her hands free from the monk's grasp.

"Will you take a hint?! I'm not interested."

"Maybe Miroku is right, Serena. You shouldn't go alone…" Kagome took the opportunity to speak up. Damn, they're gonna make me go… Inu-Yasha stood up to protest what he knew they were about to say when Serena quickly rummaged through her things and pulled out her sword, hooking the scabbard to her belt.

"There, now I'm not 'alone' and I'm ready to kick demon ass, too." Grinning again, she waved at them and shoved through the doorway before they could say another word. Feh…

Serena sighed deeply as she quickly walked away from the village and into the forest once more. Geez, it's like my parents are alive all over again. 'Don't go out after dark, Serena.' 'Don't talk to strangers!' 'We worry because we care, sweetie.' She kicked a rock out of her path and frowned. It's almost too much to stand…I mean, I'm glad they care but I'm not a kid. I can take care of myself…Come on; I'm older than Kagome is!

The young girl silently walked through the night, enjoying the rich, wet smell of the trees and the chirp of nearby insects. There is nothing quite as peaceful as a forest at night. I've always wondered why I was more comfortable sitting outside than in my room, but in this era I don't have to worry about screaming and complaining parents…nature is everywhere here. A sudden slithering sound snapped her from her thoughts. Looking around frantically, Serena tried to locate the source of the noise. It sounded like a snake or something… A tremor ran down her back as her mind flashed back to the last snake she'd encountered.

Serena whirled around to face the demon. Its skin was green and scaly, but its body was still a human shape. The head of a snake adorned its neck and blood-red eyes that seemed to burn into her stared out from the reptilian face. "Hello, Ssserena," it hissed. "I am Iokji and I have come to kill you."

"No," Serena whispered to the quiet forest. Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. "He's dead, he can't touch me now. He's dead, he's dead, he's dead." Despite the intention, hearing the words aloud only increased her sense of danger and panic. As she stood there flustered, the slithering noise came again, behind her and much louder this time. Whirling around, she drew her sword and held it forward at the intruder.

"Oh!" She gasped and then let out a sigh of relief. "Inu-Yasha, don't sneak up on me like that." The dog-demon raised an eyebrow at her sword, still aimed at his leg. His arms were crossed against his chest and he was giving her a "what are you doing?" look.

"Jumpy, aren't ya?" With a tentative giggle, Serena sheathed her sword.

"Sorry, I thought I heard…something." Why didn't I tell him about the snake I thought I heard? He'll just wonder why I'm acting so crazy; Iokji is dead and after all, I'm the one who defeated him…

"Well, it was probably just me. I was walking behind you for a bit." Confused, she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why?" Inu-Yasha shrugged. "Wait, did Kagome send you again? God, she's so-" Quickly, he shook his head, cutting her off mid-word.

"Nah, she didn't send me. I wanted to come and walk with you." Surprised, Serena glanced to the side. What is wrong with him? He's acting so weird and nice…wait a minute! Last night, that shudder…did he…does he…oh my god! Looking back over at him, she found him smiling down at her.

"What…what the hell is wrong with you?!" Shock showed on his face as she felt anger rise on hers.

"What do you mean, Serena?" Raising both eyebrows at him, she folded her arms across her chest to match his.

"First off, I've never heard you go five minutes without saying 'feh' before. And second, you're being all…nice and…sweet and it's creepy. Besides the three seconds last night, I've never seen you act this way before!"

"Damn, I knew you would be too smart for me." Inu-Yasha said, frowning deeply. Confused, Serena started backing up while reaching for her sword once more. What the hell is going on? Is he possessed or something? Seeing her actions, he leapt at her with surprising speed.

"Oh no, you don't!" His voice got higher and more feminine as he tackled her to the ground. Struggling but unable to escape his grip, Serena strained her arm, trying to get her fingers to reach her sword. This isn't Inu-Yasha; I got tricked… Sighing, the fake Inu-Yasha grabbed her sword with a long reptilian tail that had suddenly appeared behind him and ripped it off her belt, flinging it out of sight. Frustrated by the loss of her weapon, Serena tried to kick him only to have her legs pinned as well.

"Stop struggling, little one. I will have to injure you if you don't and then he will not be pleased with me…" The strange female voice spoke from Inu-Yasha's mouth.

"He who? And who the hell are you really? What do you want from me? Stop this charade and show your true form!" Serena demanded while writhing underneath him. A high-pitched chuckle rolled from his throat and then his skin started to waver and shake. Disgusted by the feeling of bones and skin moving on top of her, the blonde tried to wiggle free as the demon shifted. Finally, a short green-haired demon sat on her chest.

"I am Ara and my master has called for you. You have not answered, so I was sent. Now, you will behave and let me take you to him or I will force you."

"Hell no." Without warning, Serena spat into the girl's face. The demon's ice blue eyes stared angrily at her captive as the wad of saliva dripped down her cheek.

"You will pay dearly for that, little one!"

"Ara!" Another face called out from behind them and the demon turned her head, an unhappy grimace on her face.

"Hello, Kagura. Lovely to see you." The wind witch walked closer to them, Serena could see anger on her face as she stared down at Ara.

"You were simply supposed to restrain her and wait for me. What are you doing?" The green-haired demon blinked her large blue eyes at Kagura.

"Nothing, sis." Sis? Wait, is this 'Ara' another incarnation of Naraku?! She does have a tail like Iokji's…

"I'm not your sister. Now restrain her before Naraku gets impatient." No, I can't let them have me! Renewing her struggles, Serena tried to twist from her captor's grip but before she knew it, her hands were tied behind her back.

"HELP! INU-YASHA, HELP ME!" The blonde screamed as loud as she could and Ara shoved her away. The last thing she remembered was Kagura's hand connecting with her face and her body hitting the dirt.

"Inu-Yasha, stop that. Either get some sleep or not, but please stop pacing." Kagome mumbled from face-down on her pillow. The shuffling of the dog-demon's feet was clearly keeping her awake, but he chose to ignore her. Serena's been gone awhile now…

"I agree with Lady Kagome. Do we have to tie you down so you'll stop?"

"Just try it, monk!" He snapped as four pairs of eyes turned angrily towards him in the dark. But before anyone could react, a loud noise reached all of theirs ears.

"HELP! INU-YASHA, HELP ME!" Without thinking, Inu-Yasha was off and running. Serena must have got attacked! The footsteps of the others followed close behind him as he rushed into the forest, following her scent. Damn it, I knew she shouldn't have gone alone!

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Rapidly stopping, Inu-Yasha felt Kagome slam into his back and he grunted.

"Oww…" Kagome whined but he held his tongue and instead turned towards the confused blonde.

"You screamed." Blushing bright red, Serena glanced to the side.

"Sorry, I saw a…snake. I don't like snakes…" Inu-Yasha raised an eyebrow at her. She made us come all this way for a snake? I don't buy it…something weird is going on…

"All right then, everyone back to bed." Sango barked harshly and the group slowly trudged back to the inn. Something strange is happening with Serena lately… Inu-Yasha thought as he sat down by the door while the others settled back into their beds.

"Goodnight, Inu-Yasha," the cousins said simultaneously. He watched Serena lay down beside Kagome and Sango, a peaceful smile on her face as she fell asleep. I'm gonna keep my eye on her…

"Feh."

Well well well…once again, Naraku is plotting things…who knows what might happen next! (Well, besides him and me, obviously XP)

Hope you enjoyed it and YES I plan to update soon!

One last thing…I am currently looking for a beta reader/editor for my Inu-Yasha stories. For anyone who doesn't know what this means, it is someone to help edit a story to catch mistakes people don't always find on their own. In my case, it also means someone to help kick my butt into gear to write and to occasionally bounce ideas off of. If you are interested, please PM me with any reasons you think you'd be a good beta for me (and yes, even just being able to threaten me into writing is an acceptable reason XP)

And no, I don't like this site's new function for beta readers. It just seems weird to me…