Hello all! Sorry about the delay. I just got back from Chile and figuratively ran to the computer to finish fixing up this new version of Trapped ch4. I hope you all like it. There are a lot of major changes as the previous versions had a major amount of mistakes and plot holes. Review and let me know what you think, or if you have any comments or concerns. To those who have already gotten in touch: thank you so much for your patience and comments. Hopefully I've fixed everything you've had questions about.

Enjoy!

5/28/17 - I'm back! I'd say I'm so, so sorry but it sounds kinda lame since I've been out of action for like, 5-10 years... So... yeah. I've been really inspired the last two weeks in part because I've been so stressed about work and this gives me a way to procrastinate semi-productively while letting off some steam, and in part because of some of the reviewers who are STILL WITH ME! I honestly can't believe it and am so flattered that you like my story enough to keep checking back in. What I do has nothing to do with writing (though I am slowwwly working on a book related to my profession) and I don't usually feel like what I put up is any good, but I'm glad my story is being enjoyed.

I'm taking some time to clean up the old stuff, make things make more sense and do a better job of writing each characters POV with more of their "voice" in it. The goal is to make Rogue sound like an angry, self conscious, relatively intelligent teen. Inuyasha I want to sound like an educated version of himself. Mixing the low brow and the high is a bit of a struggle for me and I worry about making him sound too little like the Inuyasha we know in love, but then again, he really isn't. He's changed a lot as a person and has worked hard to better himself in many ways that will be revealed in later chapters. It's been along time since he's been stranded in the modern world. So yeah, different but the same old insecure, afraid of rejection Inuyasha deep down.

Again, please enjoy!

Inuyasha.

Though my eyes were closed and my back was turned, I used my other senses to track the guards change. Pathetic; even with their strange powers I surpassed them all in speed, strength, and skill in battle—yet I remained seated and unmoving. I watched, listened and learned about my strange human captors. I wasn't ready to try for another escape attempt. I didn't think I would be for a while after what happened last time.

My replacement guard entered and I recognized the scent as one from the clearing. I inhaled deeply trying to remember which human in particular it belonged to. Mid-draw it hit me—it was her.

In flashes I remembered taking a teenage girl hostage and using her as a shield to stop the onslaught of attacks from her companions. I remembered leaning in to issue a command, my lips brushing the skin on her cheek. Then there was intense pain, being unable to push her away, having no control over my body or brain... she must have cast a spell that pulled at my soul and left me weak and faint. I remembered feeling relief as she wrenched herself away from me, and my knees giving out as my vision blurred and darkened.

It was her fault. That human knocked me out with a fucking touch. All of the others were able to cast spells without talismans or incantations. That bitch must have used the same kind of sorcery to make her skin toxic to me. If I were a human it might have killed me. She must be the most powerful of them all.

Holy shit! Was she why my head nearly exploded when I tried to get away earlier? No, wait... I distinctly remember hearing a males voice so it couldn't be her... right?

As the girl settled down I remained silent and tried to keep from snarling. My back was still to her and that made me uncomfortable all of a sudden. My previous guard was essentially harmless - I couldn't even remember the spells she used against me in the clearing. She spent some of the time sitting around fidgeting and the rest asking random questions I didn't answer. This one was intelligent and strong. I didn't like leaving my back unprotected while she was so close. If she could poison me without warning before she could do it again now. If I was facing her I might be able to protect myself this time.

I thought about turning but decided against it. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction. Fuck her and fuck her witchcraft. I sneered, angry at myself for worrying about a simple human girl. Instead I closed my eyes and waited for her to act.

That lasted 'til about the second time I caught myself dozing. I must still be weak from all the shit that's happened since I got to this hell hole. I think it was cuz the bitch wasn't speaking. It took up until now to realize it, but the other girl's movement and talking gave me something to focus on and maybe made the time go quicker. Plus with her sitting around all nervous and shit, I had no problem stretching my senses to try to pick up activity and conversation from the rest of the place or lightly nap while she chattered like a squirrel. I didn't want to do that with this girl. I hated to admit it but with all the weird fucking shit going on here, I was kinda afraid.

Again, I resisted the urge to turn and look at the girl sitting behind me. I wanted to fidget. Her silence was unnerving. The girl didn't even boast about being the one to knock me out. Maybe she didn't realize how big of a fucking accomplishment that was?

Finally, I gave in and rolled over to face her. I sensed her tense and reveled in the way she shifted uncomfortably under my steady gaze. I smirked, thoroughly enjoying her discomfort.

"What are you starin' at?"

The girl spoke with a Southern accent.

My smirk grew into a stupid grin. Her loud, obnoxious, slightly defensive comment sounded like something I would have said.

"And wipe that stupid smile off your face. It's annoyin'."

That only made me smile harder. She looked as though she was about to say something else, then decided against it. I quirked an eyebrow in encouragement, wanting the girl to speak. She refused - in fact, she turned from me contemptuously. Like she didn't believe I deserved her attention let alone conversation.

My smile was gone. Disbelief took humors place. The girl had only turned her head but that in itself was an insult. Her actions clearly stated, "You are not worthy of being spoken to. You are not worthy of being looked at. You are not a great enough threat to guard seriously."

I was sorely tempted to try the door...well, maybe not the door, but the window or something. That would teach her to turn away from me. I smirked thinking about how embarrassed the bitch would be for allowing my second escape attempt to happen on her watch. Actually, now that I was thinking about it, what would her response have been?

When the girl turned to face me again, my face must have belayed my annoyance since her expression instantly changed from disdainful to inquisitive. Didn't she get what was going on here?

I reset my features, attempting to look as cold and collected as possible. This bitch was damn near the most confusing human I've met in a very long time. What the hell did she want from me?

"Kuso," I muttered, half in awe and half in exasperation. This wasn't worth the energy. I rolled onto my back, suddenly tired, and lazily placed my hands behind my head.

"He speaks."

"Yeah, what of it?" I snapped as I whirled back around to face the girl. Immediately, I scolded myself. She was making me act like my old self. I didn't like it. I'm better than that now. I'm not the same foolish half breed that ran around Japan flapping his fucking yap, and charging stupidly into any situation as though immortal.

I rolled back over, waiting for the inevitable clever comeback. She said nothing. I was surprised to find myself disappointed. I was sure she would have at least cursed me under her breath. Still on my back, I turned my head to study the girl again.

Her lips were pursed. She had something to say.

"What?"

I wondered whether sound was being recorded in the room as well. I turned towards the camera. It didn't look like anything special.

The wench started to speak but stopped.

"What!?" I snapped, annoyed. "If you got somethin' to say, just say it."

"Forget it, okay? It was nothin'."

I glared at the girl, bothered by her sarcasm, her tone, her presence and the fact that I fucking wanted to know what she was gonna say. The set of her jaw told me she wasn't planning on continuing the conversation. The look in her eyes showed pity.

"Keh!"

I snorted and turned around fully to face the wall. What the hell did she pity me for? She's the one who needs fucking pity for what I'm going to do to her next time we fight. I closed my eyes but stayed alert. Talkin' was good and all but I was still wary of her abilities, whatever the fuck they may be.

I didn't like the girl being near me. Something about her brought out the worst in me - made me immature, angry, foolish... It might have been the way she spoke, but there was something about her that reminded me of myself - or at least the person I was when Kagome was alive. That caused me to slip into my old, stupid habits—over-reacting and flapping my fucking tongue included.

I winced at the thought. Kagome...the very name brought the tide of my emotions surging in a completely different direction. My blood boiled with hatred at the thought of her death—at what Sesshoumaru did to her. It still bothered me... why had Sesshoumaru had taken the time to kill Kagome in the first place? He had so many opportunities to do so in the past, why did he choose that moment after all those years?

If it wasn't for that bastard it would have been perfect. Kagome and I…we could have been happy... The only thing she and I wanted was to be together and Sesshoumaru had to come along and fucking kill it…and her. A snarl escaped my lips. The girl, still silent and seated behind me gasped. Fear permeated her scent.

I ignored her, going back to my thoughts. Over the years I've gone through that day over and over in my head. Now I did so once more, starting with the moment we left Miroku, Sango, and Shippo by the Honekui no Ido. I should have been able to save her. I should have picked up Sesshoumaru's scent before we jumped. I shouldn't have let her go in first.

But in the end, all thoughts went back to that one damned question:

Why...

Why the fuck did Sesshoumaru kill her and not go after me instead? Since the battle in our fathers grave he's never seriously tried to hurt her. Why, after killing her, did he run off like a coward instead of facing me in battle? He's always done everything in his power to antagonize me into a good fight. This was the only time he didn't stay to fight me.

Why didn't she try to defend herself? She could have at least tried to purify him... I honestly didn't think it would do too much, but she could have struggled, kicked, screamed, something! She just called my name and...died. It was so unlike the Kagome I knew I almost didn't believe it was really her at first.

I winced... knew, ka?

Why, after protecting her for all these years, was she stolen from me the moment we found happiness in each other? All those fucking questions... I think it's why I've never been able to move on no matter how many fucking years have gone by.

If I'd known she'd die I never would have chosen to protect her in the first place. I would have run off to find Shikon no Tama on my own that day. Fuck her, and her ability to sense the shards. The trouble it would have taken me to find them on my own would have been well worth it if I'd been spared this pain. After Kikyou I should have known that was all love was. I was so fucking stupid...

I blinked hard, trying to shift my thoughts to anything else.

I hated this. Even the good times Kagome and I shared were tainted by Sesshoumaru's actions. I couldn't take it anymore—I didn't want to think about it ever again. I didn't want to be plagued with the memories of Kagome or that day. I didn't want to be burdened with the guilt of leading her to her death and then being too weak to prevent it. I cursed my human blood—the source of my weakness. I cursed the demon blood as well for the long life span it gave me. I would be forced to live with my failings for a long fucking time.

The girl shifted, no doubt watching my every move. I suddenly, passionately hated her too. I looked her up and down, wishing the bitch would shrivel up and die under my withering gaze. I remembered her touch. At first I had been sure I was dying—I had literally felt my power and energy draining from my body—but afterwards, I was rewarded with my first good nights sleep since Kagome's death. This fucking bitch was the answer!

Without thinking I lunged, grabbed her forearms to keep her from pushing me away and used my body to pin her against the wall she'd been sitting against. The girl cried out, first in surprise and then in pain as I carelessly gripped too hard without minding my claws. Sheer luck kept them from piercing her skin. She stilled immediately when she felt their sharpness through her clothes.

Straddling her, I pulled back to study the girl closely, hating myself for finding her beautiful. Short hair framed her face. The few white strands that littered the brown somehow complimented her nicely. Her gray eyes glistened with a mixture of fear and confusion at my unexpected attack. She was panting heavily in an arousing manner.

I sat there an extra moment, wondering how to activate the spell that would painfully lull me into unthinking, nighmare-less bliss and the girl took that moment to gather herself and struggle.

"Lemmi go!" she shrieked as she tried to break my iron grip on her arms. I suppose she decided slitting her own wrists on my claws was preferable to whatever I had planned. Fortunately I was already straddling her legs. I ignored her yells for help and settled more of my weight on her lap to prevent attempted kicks at my groin.

I narrowed my eyes and told the girl to shut the fuck up. I didn't have much time. If her friends were actually watching they'd be breaking down the door any second. Pushing all thoughts to the back of my mind, readying myself for the pain and enveloping darkness, I closed my eyes and pressed my lips to her cheek.

The girl screamed, begging me not to touch her, but it was too late. There it was again - the wonderfully excruciating pain and the paralyzing feeling of my soul being sucked from of my body. Through the agony I tried to time it exactly like before. Just enough contact to knock me out, but not enough to kill me.

The girl was still struggling to free herself. Tears leaked from her eyes and she cried out in pain. Weakly, she struggled against me, trying to break contact. I felt my body weakening. My grip on her arms loosened enough for her to break my grip. Through the haze, I saw her gloved hands reach for my face and shove violently, finally severing the connection between us.

Her shove threw me off her lap and onto my back where I lay in a daze, breathing heavily. Instead of fleeing as I expected, the girl remained seated, sobbing and clutching her head. I stared at the pastel colored ceiling drifting in and out of consciousness. Why was I still awake? This isn't what happened the first time? My vision swam. Did I do something wrong?

I groaned; touching the woman left me weak and vaguely numb, but I was relatively fine in comparison to last time. It was the same sensation with a different result. Did the girl do something to make the spell less potent than before? Maybe because I caught her off guard she didn't have enough time to do whatever it was she needed to do.

I turned my head to look at her. She was crying softly and clutching her head. Did I accidentally hurt her? Gingerly, I sat up, feeling ashamed of myself when she whimpered and flinched away from me.

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "I shouldn't have done that."

The girl began rocking back and forth. Concerned I edged a little closer.

"You okay?"

"Ah'm fuckin' fine!" she snarled, swiping at me with her gloved hands. "Leave me the fuck alone!"

I didn't bother responding. I'd done enough. I lowered myself back down to the wooden floor and wished I'd sink through it into Hell. I was a giant fucking asshole.

After a while the girl uncurled herself from her ball and leaned her head back against the wall. Staring at the ceiling together we listened to each other breathe. It was during this time I realized no one had come for her. She was clearly in danger. I could have fucking killed her and they didn't come. I wondered why. Did they not care about her? Did they assume I wouldn't hurt her? Maybe the camera was a dud or the girl somehow signaled for her friends to back off. They had obviously worked together before. They must have some kind of hand signal system to communicate nonverbally. That kinda made sense. Kinda...

Finally, feeling a little better, I sat up and crawled back to lean against the side of the bed. Well, that was positively fucking stupid. What I was thinking? Even if my "awesome" plan worked what was I going to do next? Knock myself out then leave myself exposed and vulnerable to my captors again? Fuck knows what they did to me the first time.

Besides, I deserved every ounce of pain I got as a result of Kagome's death. How could I think otherwise when I was the one that got her killed. Grunting from exertion I pulled myself up onto the bed and closed my eyes. I'd just rest a minute and then start working on an escape plan. The girl didn't seem to notice my retreat to the bed. She seemed preoccupied and irritable and ironically didn't smell afraid anymore. I fell asleep wondering what I'd done to make her feel so sad.

Rogue.

I looked up from my book to find Jean standin' over me. Startled, I slammed the book shut. It had only been some summer reading, Enders Game by Orson Scott Card, but I didn't feel comfortable having it open with her standing there.

"Hai, Jean..." I said after a moment, annoyed. What could she possibly want?

"Hi, Rogue," she replied, leaning against the table to see what I was reading. Self-consciously, I hid the novel in my lap.

"Logan's calling for an afternoon training session."

"Again? This is the third day in a row!"

"I know. I think he's worried about Inuyasha escaping. We need to be ready for anything."

I looked at her pointedly. I knew all that. I didn't need every damn thing explained to me. We pretty much got our asses handed to us in the forest and he's pretty much unpredictable. I was the one that started "The Panic" in the first place after he attacked me a few days ago.

I told Jean I'd be ready and left, taking my book and thoughts with me.

It's been three days since the Killers "attack" on me during my first watch and we were still suffering for it in the form of extra training sessions with Logan. The Killer hasn't spoken to me since. In fact, he's become down right resistant and uncooperative with everyone. There's little eye contact, no communication outside of clipped responses to direct questions, and no more jokes or smiles.

The others are even more scared of him now because of the change. They think he's biding his time for another attack. There's no doubt in most of our minds now that he really did kill all those kids. It'll just be a matter of proving his guilt.

Unfortunately, I'm no help. Even after the second time we touched I have basically nothing. I spoke to the Professor for awhile afterwards. He asked all the usual questions and I tried to answer them. All I got were flashes of that same girl getting killed and sadness. Fuck, I was so sad after... I figure those were the emotions that must have been strongest when he touched me. It took awhile to clear them out, even with the Professors help. Oh, and of course I got that bad feeling again. The Professor didn't seem to know what to make of that either.

Neither of us know why he's so resistant to my powers. I kinda wonder if that's why the Professor hasn't just read his mind already. Usually he's pretty good about respecting peoples privacy, but when there've been lives at stake he's done what he needed to do. Maybe the Professors powers just don't work on him. Maybe none of our powers work on him. I shuddered at the thought. He couldn't possibly be that strong.

As soon as I got the Killer off me the Professor was in my head, letting us - I mean, me know Logan was at the door. When he sensed the mess in my head he set to work calming my thoughts and helping me process all the extra emotions I stole from the Killer. He's seriously one fucked up guy. I told him I was okay and he let me know he didn't sense anything hostile coming from the Killers mind but that Logan would be nearby just in case. I was grateful, but not worried about that. The Killer went to sleep almost immediately after and I was so busy trying to stop crying and feeling so sad it was hard to worry about him coming at me again.

The others came and found me as soon as my shift was over. Kitty had fussed over me all day, asking if I was okay, what it felt like, whether I was scared and whether I'd be going back the next day. Even Scott checked in... It was embarrassing but kinda nice to be fawned over like that for once.

In my room I found my uniform and tossed it onto the bed for later. Next I went to the bathroom to wash some of the make-up off my face and brush my hair. I had plenty of time to get down to the danger room so I took my time getting ready, not wanting to be the first one there.

The key was to get there exactly on time. Too early and Logan would make you run laps to get your blood pumping while waiting for everyone else. Too late and he'll add ten laps for every minute you're past due as punishment. Either way meant extra running I didn't want to do.

While dressing my thoughts returned to the Killer.

At night his memories came out the strongest. Technically all my - well, our memories come out strongest. I have a theory that it's because I'm sleeping and not actively trying to keep a lid on the personalities and junk inside of me. Again, it's unfortunate there's nothing new. If I'm going to be having terrible dreams about death and murder and blood and feel sad and afraid all night I could at least remember something that'll help the Professor get his answers.

I feel stupid complaining about NOT getting memories - usually that's a blessing. I've been working so hard to control all the stuff goin' on in my head it would be nice if that work finally paid off. Not this time though. There's something we need to know, something that the Professor can't (or wont) find out telepathically, so really it's up to me. Lord knows the Killer wont talk about it, especially after we pretty much kidnapped him.

Normally, I'll touch someone and literally be them for a time. I see what they see and feel what they feel from their perspective. Since they know the people who are in the memory, I'll know. Since they know the background story, I'll know it too. That's part of the reason why those dreams feel so bad sometimes.

If I catch a memory of someone getting their leg broken (like when I touched Cody), I'll know what it's like to have my leg broken too. Not only will I feel that pain, but I'll know what they were thinking - their hopes and fears. I still remember how Cody was scared about not being able to play football anymore, about not being able to get into college without a scholarship, about having to walk around with crutches and gettin' ragged on by his friends... and it was devastating too. All of that stuff was really important to me because for a while I was Cody and I did just break my leg.

In any case, all that extra stuff would be helpful when it comes to the Killer, and now of all times my super weird power chooses to crap out on me. Great.

I looked at the clock and saw it was time to start heading down. I threw on my tennis shoes and headed for the elevator.

All I have when it comes to the Killer and his memory is that one memory of that girl. The Professor has been trying to help me get more in control and access memories whenever I want instead of having them overwhelm me. From what we gather the Killer and the girl had to know each other. I don't think he'd have been so upset about her dyin' if they hadn't. After all, he didn't pay no mind to the other three people who were killed, so maybe them he didn't know so well?

The girl knew the Killers name and she called for him to save her, meaning maybe she knew he was fast and strong. He wasn't able to, so obviously that's where the sadness and anger and despair come from. Fuck, the emotions were so intense... I think he loved her.

I don't know if she felt the same way or if either of them knew the tall, silver haired man, but what I do know is that her death really fucked him up in the head. I could feel it. The girl was dead on the ground surrounded by those other people, and ...something inside me - I mean, him broke.

Maybe that's what drove him to be the murderer he is today-not that that's an excuse, of course.

After confirming my identity with the palm scanner the elevator doors opened. Inside I mashed the lowest button available marked SB2—Sub-basement 2. Crossing my arms over my chest, I finally pushed the Killer out of my thoughts and began mentally prepping myself for yet another grueling training session.

The elevator stopped and let me out in a cold, metal hallway. Several of the others were milling around, stalling. When I exited many of them followed me to where Logan was waiting. I glanced at the few already inside and wondered why they were just standing there.

Logan always had us jogging as soon as we came so why weren't they? I glanced up. The Professor was in the control room, as usual, ready to put us through our paces. Scott and Jean were together - also as usual - near Logan. I moved as far away from them as possible, looking for Kitty. Maybe she would know what was going on.

Before I could find her Logan shouted through the murmuring students.

"Listen up! We've got a little somethin' different planned for today. Everyone follow Scott and Jean up to the Control Room."

For a moment everyone hesitated. "GET A MOVE ON!" Logan bellowed. We jumped into action. Scott jogged down the same hallway we had just came from and began herding us through the doors.

"Single file, people..."

"Keep the line moving..."

"Kurt, you start teleportin' people up..."

Whatever else Logan said I was out of earshot for. By the time I got up with the second elevator full of students, Logan, who had been brought up by Kurt, looked fit to be tied.

Tabitha was throwing energy balls around the controls while Kurt frantically ported around the room, trying to avoid the mini blasts. Jean was pleading with them both, trying to settle them down and pay attention to Logan, who was red faced and screaming at anyone within earshot to shut their yaps and pay attention or suffer some unknown consequences.

Meanwhile, Roberto and Amara were moping about how this was all a waste of time, Bobby was trying to surprise Multiple into making copies of himself by leaping out of the crowd and screaming from various locations at various intervals, and Ray and Scott were arguing about who bumped who on their way to get a spot near a window overlooking the Danger Room itself. With the limited space, the cacophony of sound, thrashing and disarray, I was ready to lose it.

In part I was worried about accidentally bumping into someone, but mostly I was feeling claustrophobic and wanted the noise and commotion to stop so someone could tell us all what the heck was going on. I finally found Kitty as I searched for a clear spot in the din.

"What the heck's goin' on!?" I screamed at her over the noise.

"What!?"

"What's happenin'!?" I yelled again.

"I can't hear you!?" she screamed, pointing at her ear and shaking her head.

"AH SAID, WHA-"

"Everyone, please settle down!" my ears rang as the Professor's voice echoed inside my head. All of our heads. We all almost immediately shut up and looked in his general direction. The Professor switched to his speaking voice. "Thank you. I know you were all expecting some additional training with Logan, but we have something a little different planned." There were some soft cheers from some of the younger kids that earned them a scowl from Logan and eye roll from Scott.

The Professor ignored them all and continued, "All of you know we've had a guest staying with us the past few days. Today, we will all be watching a demonstration of sorts. I want you all to pay very close attention to everything you are about to see. Any uncouth outbursts will land impulsive students out of the room and unable to watch. Kurt, please take Logan to bring our guest then come back here."

Kurt bamphed over to Logan, put an arm over his shoulder and ported out of the room. I looked around to see if anyone knew what the Professor was talking about, but they all looked as bewildered as I felt. I met eyes with Kitty and shrugged.

I guess we'll all find out soon, right?

"If you will all turn your attention to the Danger Room below..." There was a rustle of movement as 15 some-odd people turned to look out the thick Control Room windows and into the room below. Kurt reappeared with Logan and the Killer. Then in a puff of smoke brought both himself and Logan back up to the control room leaving the Killer alone in the center of the room.

Was this the demonstration? The Killer running through a simulation? There were murmurs and shushing noises and bodies crowding and an excited Kitty Pryde violating personal space by phasing through people to get a better view.

From where I was standing I tried to look at where the Professor was sitting with the controls, wanting to get a look at what level simulation the Killer would have to survive.

"It's level 10."

Startled, I looked up at Scott who must have seen what I was looking at and read the number aloud. Blushing, I stammered out what might have been a thank you and quickly looked back out the window. I hadn't even noticed Scott was standing next to me. How embarrassing. I felt a nudge at my left and turned. Kitty grinned and winked at me in a knowing manner. Awesome. I briefly wondered if embarrassment could kill a girl.

Glossary

Kuso = Shit/Damn

Honekui no Ido = Bone Eaters Well