AN: Wow, a long time between updates. I really didn't mean to wait this long, but I do this all the time with my normal stories. I have some on the computer I haven't worked on in years.

Anyway, it's amazing what re-reading the story can do. I think I know what to do next, so here's to hoping this works.

Blood of Worth

Kagome woke in a haze, her arms tied to thick slabs by her head and her ankles bound in a similar manner. The aura of youkai was thick, almost gagging her. She couldn't feel the Takahashi auras, or any of the other Inu Gang youkai. She was alone – for the moment.

Tenseiga was still strapped to her back, pulsing softly and keeping most of her discomfort at bay. As it was, her bruises should have been hurting her severely by now, but she barely felt it. She was surprised her attackers hadn't taken the blade; she figured Naraku had to know of its significance, since he was the brothers' main enemy.

Calmly, she twisted her head to the side, trying to see more of where she was. It appeared to be an old shed, just big enough for the altar she was on and six people to stand against the walls. Maybe. She twisted her head to the other side, and gasped.

This was what Tenseiga was protecting her from. She could feel the malignant aura coming from the blade in waves. It made her want to retch. A name came into her mind, as if Tenseiga was whispering in her ear.

Sounga.

"Are we awake now, Kagome?"

She rolled her eyes. "Naraku. Why am I not surprised?" The youkai didn't respond, so Kagome kept going. "Honestly, one really shouldn't beat the crap out of a girl and then kidnap her, especially not when the girl is a miko and you are a youkai. I might take it personally." She let her aura extend outward, just a little, just enough. Naraku hissed in pain and took a step back. "Get my drift?"

He scowled at her. "Your powers aren't enough to stop my plans." he snarled. "If anything, they'll only help me."

She snorted. "How so? You can't touch me, and Sounga can't do anything to me either." she shot back. "You're up a creek without a paddle, dude."

He simply glared at her. "We'll see, little miko."

/------/

Taisho was surprised to say the least when Totosai showed up on his front doorstep. The youkai swordsmith had hated the demon lord for a long time after he had ordered the forging of the swords of Takahashi. It wasn't in Totosai's nature to make a way to destroy something he created himself. Then again, Totosai never really cared for much of anything.

"What are you doing here, Totosai?" Taisho demanded.

"I thought you might want to know that Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were at my house today." the old youkai said thoughtfully. "They wanted to know about their swords."

"I know. I was the one who sent them to you."

"I told them about Sounga."

Taisho froze. "Did they go back to the school?"

"Yep." Totosai hesitated for a moment, sizing up the youkai general. "Why did you give Tenseiga to a human girl?"

"Kagome isn't just any human girl." Taisho said softly. "Just as there is legend surrounding the swords, there is a legend surrounding my bloodline. Her blood is of great worth – it is tied to my sons' blood."

Totosai nodded. "You know that's why Naraku is after her." he said pointedly. "That bond is only going to make Sounga stronger when it is awakened."

Taisho shook his head. "If it is awakened. You always were a pessimist." He turned to the door. "Come on. We need to help Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru if we want them to succeed."

At that moment, two people walked into the room – Mrs. Higurashi and Souta.

"You're not going anywhere, Taisho." Souta said calmly. "This stays between Naraku and your sons."

/------/

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru tore down the streets of Tokyo, leaving the road behind and leaping from building to building to get to their destination. At one point, Sesshoumaru stopped, threw back his head, and howled. Inuyasha quickly followed suit.

The others would hear it. More importantly, their father would hear it, and they would come. They needed all the help they could get.

"Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha panted, "we're out of time. We shouldn't have left her!"

The older brother snarled. "I know that!" he hissed. "We can't underestimate Kagome. If she was weak, she would have died long ago. We'll get there in time, and if we can't stop the awakening, we'll destroy the sword. Now come on!"

Inuyasha simply shook his head, but he took off after his brother. He could smell the stench of the school by now. He could only hope Sesshoumaru was right – that they would reach them before the awakening, and more importantly, before Naraku had the chance to kill Kagome.

/----/

AN: Yay! Another chapter! Please don't kill me for the long time in updating. I told you I'd finish it – I just never specified in which century.