The Interlude

Kagome stared at Naraku. What would they do with him? They could kill him now, certainly... or could they?

The young miko had known Naraku for quite a while, and she knew that even in is dumbest moments he was more cunning than any of them put together. The bastard.

"I don't know," she replied honestly. Inuyasha growled. His claws were effective, but inside that bolt of light, even he would be fried to a crisp. But if Kagome took the light away...

"Leave him," whispered Sesshoumaru, and everyone in the room turned to look at him. Naraku himself suffered a flinch.

"What?" Inuyasha snarled, and his elder brother – half-brother! – turned to give him an empty look.

"You aren't fit to kill him," he said, and turned to Kagome as Inuyasha began to throw a fit. "And you, Miko."

"Yes?" she said, staring at him in some awe. He blinked solemnly.

"What power you had was put into that," his eyes glanced dispassionately at Naraku, "And you've no power left, as of this moment." He seemed to make a sound almost like a sigh.

"So what then?" Inuyasha cried. Sesshoumaru blinked again.

"It's no concern of mine," he said, but Kagome saw his eyes frown for a moment, as he glanced at his small charge.

"But you know something," she said slowly. He met her gaze, and she felt like squirming.

"Even if I did, it cannot possibly help you." The demon didn't even look at Inuyasha. "You surely haven't the power to destroy him"

"What?"

"Nothing?" Kagome whispered haggardly, and he began to turn and walk away, when the small girl slipped her hand into his, tiny and gentle.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," she said. "Can't we help the pretty lady?" The demon stopped, and stared off into the distance. Without a change in expression, he turned to Inuyasha.

"That old hag," he said. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and nodded.

"Kaede?"

"She may know." And then he turned and began walking away, Rin skipping around his legs. Kohaku looked at Kagome, and then at Inuyasha.

"Tell my sister I'm safe," he said, giving them an apologetic look, and began slowly backing away, toward the demon and the girl.

"Wait! Kohaku!" Inuyasha called. "I can't deal with Sango by myself with that kinda message!"

Kohaku gave a short laugh, wiped his eyes and ran after his new comrades.

"I wonder why he's going with them," Kagome murmured after a while. Inuyasha turned to her and fumed.

"Sango's gonna kill me," he moaned, and the girl laughed, walking over to grasp his hand.

"I'll protect you," she teased, and he smirked, hugging her around the shoulders quickly. Kagome turned into his hold, hugging him tight.

"I'm so glad you came, Inuyasha," she whispered, and he took a shuddering breath.

"No problem," he squeaked. He pushed her away – not too violently, and turned in the direction of his castle. "What now?"

"We find Kaede. He said she'd know..." she broke off at the sound of his growl. "What?"

"Nothing," he said, unconsciously shifting from red to gold eyes. "Just... nothing."

"You aren't fooling me," she said sternly. "What are you holding against your brother?"

"Half-brother," Inuyasha said instantly, but didn't change expression. "It's a long story."

"Huh. Well, we have a long way to go, since I'm considerably slower than you."

"Well..." he was about to argue, but his words trailed off as he looked her up and down. A brief smirk graced his wide mouth. He turned and knelt on the ground. "Get on."

"What?" Kagome's eyes popped open. "Are you serious?"

"Mmph," was his reply. Warily, Kagome stepped forward and climbed haphazardly onto his back. Before she was quite ready, he stood with inhuman grace and began running. Kagome emitted a few decently pitched screams. Unfortunately, they were positioned directly at Inuyasha's sensitive ears.

"Quiet, wench!" he said, the term stinging since its recent lack of use. She quieted, frowning at the back of his head. With a huff, she settled, rearranging herself into a comfortable monkey-like grip. "You aren't going to tell me are you?"

"Ha." He squeezed her calves, making her yelp. "Maybe later."

Um. Hello? Look, I realize this isn't exactly the best mini chapter, but I felt like letting you all know that I'm actually alive. So. Where to begin. I'm in college now, but I've recently switched schools and I will actually have a lot more time on my hands. This story I really do want to wrap up, and while I haven't spent time with the wonderful Inuyasha characters in a few years, I think I'm in a better place for writing in general, and I hope to be writing more soon. I extend my apologies for those of you who have been waiting for 2 years. And to those of you who've just joined in... ya'll are lucky bastards. Hahaha.