A/N: Hello peoples, for those of you who have dying to read the next chapter, well here it is. :) Sorry for being so damn late. I so fail at updating on time. Beware: the chapter is long!

Since I'll be jumping around a bit, I'll let you guys know when I change character cause there in bold print before you get to it. And when I change back to Kissa, I'll use page breaks.

The song used in this chapter is called: 'At your best.' By Aaliyah. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: Me no own.

Escape

I awoke startled and kinda mad at myself for dozing off. I peeked at the window, noting that it was completely dark, save for the full moon shining brightly in the sky. Sighing, I cautiously stretched, my limbs stiff from being in that position all day. They popped and creaked and I sighed, crawling out the bed to sit on the edge. I sat there, pondering, my mind whirling with questions.

With the light coming from the window being my only source of illumination, the room was eerily quiet. I gulped, slightly irritated that I could hear everything, and yet nothing at the same time. I massaged my temple, focusing on keeping myself calm. Scuttling around paranoid and jumping at every sound or shadow wasn't leading me the in right direction. Getting up, I walked to the kitchen, taking my time to look at my surroundings thoroughly. The kitchen was fully stocked with food, to my surprise. I turned my gaze to the small black refrigerator, settling a hand on its hand to pull it open. The dim light flowed from within, it too packed with the snacks and meat. My stomach growled veraciously as I spotted a deli made club sandwich near the back. I'd forgotten that I hadn't ate anything since my arrival here. I snatched it up quickly, making short work of the plastic covering it, and stuffed most of it in my mouth. If I were to look at my reflection, I'm pretty sure I would resemble a chipmunk with its jaws full of seeds. The food eased some of the mounting apprehension, but not all.

I made short work of the sandwich, and with my appetite sated for now, my thoughts went back to fleeing. I sighed, and thrummed my fingers against the island table. Surely that thing wouldn't be waiting on the other side right? I mean, he could've done something like, I don't know, bust through the window? Or send the door flying off its hinges. Well, whatever the reason, I was pretty relived he didn't. I glanced at the door again, my heart thrummed with in my chest. I gulped, eyed the door with determination and marched to it. As I flung all negativity from my mind, my hand had just made contact with the handle. Setting my lips in a thin line, I made to turn it.

And then someone knocked.

Snatching my hand away from the knob, I backpedaled until the back of my knees hit the edge of my bed. Gasping, I threw myself under the covers and tried to pretend that it was all in my imagination. I was overreacting, I know, and acting childish wasn't making my situation any better. I steadied my breathing as I heard another gentle knock, and slowly poked my head from the top of the sheets, crouching anxiously underneath. All was quiet, except for the constant thudding in my ears, until I could hear the sound of the key turning the lock. I could not stop myself from looking at the slowly opening door, nor could help the vividly disturbing thoughts my mind constantly came up with. I sat ill prepared for the worst when I saw a pair of pleasant, curious eyes peeking from the door. Slightly taken aback, I sat up straighter as she slowly allowed herself into my room.

She was older than me, I could tell, but not by much. Her eyes were soft and brown, and her matching hair was tied in a ponytail behind her. Her bangs were cut clean and laid perfectly on her pale forehead. She was dressed in an outfit like mine -I noticed- and in her pale hands she held a silver platter. She smiled reassuringly at me, before bowing her head slightly.

"Hi, my name is Sango," she turned and sat the platter on the island, "it's nice to meet you."

I could nothing but stare at her, and though it was rude, I couldn't imagine another human here, let alone surviving.

"I-I-" Cursing inwardly, I cleared my throat and tried and again. "You're a human, why are you here?" Shaking my head I asked, "Why am I here?"

She smiled again as her slight form walked towards my bed. I eyed her suspiciously as she sat on the very corner, smoothing her hand over the comforter.

"Well you see, Lord Shesshomaru, is uh," she laughed to herself, "a very selfish demon."

"It doesn't matter who or what you are, if you have a certain talent that could be useful to him, he will send for you."

I watched her warily as she smiled again and playfully pulling at the covers. "Usually he'll send some of his goons, but for you, he went himself." she said rather boastfully.

Looking elsewhere in the room, I grumbled, "That's nothing to boast about."

After a small chuckle, I heard her sigh, "I know."

There was silence after that and a while later she spoke again. "I work as a maid for him, as will you in a short while." before I could respond, she held a finger up to silence me. "But before all that, how about a tour?"

"A tour?" I found myself repeating.

She nodded her head enthusiastically, "Yeah, let's go before he shows up."

Slowly, I came out of my bed and stood in front of her. "Who's he?"

She smiled again, scratching her head sheepishly, "Well, you see-"

"Hey! Sango, where the hell ya go?!" A gruff voice called out from beyond the door.

Startled, I sat back down on the bed and glanced at Sango.

She smiled reassuringly in return, before shouting her location. My eyes went from her to the door as I anxiously awaited the new intruder.

After a while a man, stepped through wearing an irritated scowl. He had the same color hair as the man who'd kidnapped me, but unlike Sesshomaru, I could tell that wasn't the type of person to keep his emotions bottled up inside of him. The scowl on his face told me that. He glared at Sango for a long moment before even looking at me. Bright amber eyes clashed with red, and even with his sour expression, I could tell he was a bit surprised by my appearance as I with his.

Sango, deciding to break the awkward silence decided that an introduction was in order.

"Kissa, this is Inuyasha." She said. "Inuyasha, Kissa."

I had yet to say anything, I was still staring at him. On top his silver mane were two small white ears and it didn't matter how hard I looked, his appearance never wavered. Was he a demon too?

"Kissa, he will be your bodyguard for the time being." Sango added and I could hear a pained groan coming from the man in person along with a rushed under the breath, "Bullshit."

Knitting my brows, I wondered why I would need a bodyguard, especially one who seemed to have other things to do at the time.

Slowly, Sango reached for my hand, pulling me from the bed. Inuyasha huffed in annoyance. "Can we get this over with already? I have things to take care of."

"Kagome will be there when we finish, I promise you that." Sango replied dryly. Weaving her fingers with mine, she lead me to the door, were I hesitated. Squeezing my hand comfortingly, we headed outside my prison. Keeping up with Sango, she showed me that I was situated in the back of the estate, along with all the other workers of the property. Rows of sakura tress lined the servant quarters, paved trails leading from a beautiful pond that sparkled mesmerizingly in the moonlight to what I thought was a warehouse. Excitedly, she stirred us toward it.

"This is my favorite part of the whole place." She said, pushing open the door to reveal a larger indoor basketball court.

"Basketball." She said, waving her hand in that general direction. She motioned me to the right, were she opened a door to reveal a spacious mini theater.

"Movies." She commented, before shuffling to a door on the left. The room here seemed to be nothing but gaming platforms and one massive TV. "Gaming room." She chirped.

I was in complete awe before the tour even ended. She told me that this is where most of his servants occupied themselves. Just like me, some were taken while others came on their own, seeking food and shelter. It was a little ways away, but the tour finally ended as we came upon the mansion. It was beautiful and majestic under the subtle light of the setting sun. We paused in front of its intricately carved doors. My heart drops as I know exactly who waits for me behind them.

"This is the manor, where you will probably send half your time." She said. Glancing to her left, she pointed towards the black, spike like fence surrounding the whole property.

"You must never go past that gate." She said sternly, "Only if you're allowed to or if you're with Lord Sesshomaru or Inuyasha can you pass through it."

I looked at her finding her eyes filled with so much raw emotion, then the gate which looked simple enough. It didn't matter, I would find a way out, even if I didn't know where the hell I was. After a bit more explaining, we headed back to my room where I was kinda relieved to be going. Somewhere along the way, Inuyasha had disappeared, leaving me and Sango to ourselves.

Sighing as my bottom hit the mattress, Sango smiled at me before moving to that platter she carried in with her. "It's a real nice to work here, I mean, once you get used to it."

I stared at her back and before replying. "I never asked for this."

She laughed dryly before she turned around, holding something in her hands. "And you think I did?" she said humorlessly. It then hit me that she had been taken as well. But what was stopping her from leaving? What was stopping anyone?

"Why haven't you left?" I asked as she came and sat on my bed. Shaking her head, she holds up her hands. They open to reveal a black choker, a blood-red jewel dangled from the middle. Confused, I looked at it as it seemed to pulse and twitch in her hand. Before I knew what was happening, she said softly and almost painfully, "It's not that easy."

Just then did that thing leap from her hand and latch itself around my neck. Acting on reflex, I tried to yank it from around my throat, but found I couldn't properly slip my fingers between the slim material and my neck. I gave Sango a frightened look, asking only with the intensity of my eyes exactly what she put on me. Her eyes somber and soft met mine as her lips turned up into a frown, hands wringing her robe.

I yelped suddenly when it pulsed jarringly around my neck, sending waves of goose bumps to rise on my skin.

"What is this?" I asked breathlessly.

"It's a choker," Sango said. "And it is literally as its name entails."

"What?" I still couldn't wrap my mind around it.

She hesitates. "He says it's for our protection."

"The whole idea of it is to keep us away from certain escape."

My confused stare alone makes her continue. "Remember that gate I told you not to cross?"

I nod.

She pulls the collar of her plan yuukata to show me that she too has a chocker, but the on hers was midnight blue. "If you go anywhere beyond that gate, these things will dig so far into your neck, that it will instantly cut off any and all oxygen intake. It will not kill you quickly, it will make you suffer."

So there was no way I was escaping this place? This was making my little inkling of hope I had left diminish very fast. Seeing as Sango had one of those things on that meant that everyone else had one too.

Before I knew it, my nose stings, meaning that tears would be soon to follow. I try to grasp at the collar again and it pulsed once more, as if warning me. Carefully, she places her small hand on my leg comfortingly.

"I'm sorry, for all this, but I cannot go against his command." She says softly, knowing full well I too upset to even speak right now. "With a snap of his fingers, he could have me killed."

My breathing stutters as my chest heaves as the tears trail down my cheeks to gather at my chin.

"I'll let you rest now, you have a rather big day ahead of you tomorrow."

Remaining quiet and refusing to meet her gaze, she rises from the bed to retrieve some Kleenexes from the table. She places them beside me before she left.

I couldn't believe my luck. Taking the tissues, I blew my nose and wiped the tears from my eyes. I didn't want anyone to see me cry here, I wanted to be strong and find a way out of the mess I was in, but now, since it seemed Sesshomaru had covered all his bases, I would have be creative.

Sighing I rose from the bed and decided to take a quick shower. I felt a bit more at home once I put on some of my own clothes. Plopping back on the bed, I toyed with the necklace that fit snugly around my neck. All I wanted was it off. If it was one thing I was just learning about myself, it was that I didn't like being kept.

Although it had only been a couple of days after I'd been kidnapped, I still couldn't stop myself from waking at my usual time this morning. Sitting up in bed, I gazed out the window to see some of the servants leaving and getting started on their morning routines. I noticed that some of them looked rather humanoid, save for the extra pair of eyes, or the curly antenna sticking up through their hair. They reminded me of the man I saw yesterday, Inuyasha I think his name was. Apparently he hadn't bothered to come back that day. I yawned lazily just as there was a knock on the door. I jumped a bit as Sango let herself in.

"Morning!" she says cheerfully, in her hand she has something akin to what I had on yesterday, but seems like it had more to it.

"Morning." I retorted groggily.

"You have a busy day today," she says while placing the clothes down, "Lord Sesshomaru wants to meet with you."

My heart stops beating and I start to grow cold. Sango notices that I'm already not feeling myself and she quickly tries to lighten the situation. "But, you'll be cleaning with me for the rest of the day, so don't worry."

I nod quietly as she goes into a lively conversation about the kimono I'd be wearing. It was nothing special, just something to meet the bastard in. The color reminded me of the shade of green that I'd had on during that karaoke night. Instantly I didn't want to wear it. I didn't even know how to even put it on. She helped me with the inner one before shucking on the rest. As she adjusted the obi around a bit under my chest, I couldn't help but feel all the more anxious. She rearranged my hair to fall around my shoulders and stepped back to admire her work. She smiles.

"You're a very beautiful girl." Sango says and I blush at the suddenness of it. "I've never seen anyone with eyes quiet like yours."

I gave a small smile. "Thanks."

She steps towards the door. "You ready?"

I huff determinedly and set my shoulders. I nod.

And we set off towards the manor. As we make our way towards the house, I am mentally cursing the damned kimono every step of the way. While dressing me, Sango said this was not as bad as the original and more authentic styles of kimonos, this one was supposed to be easier to walk in. Easy for her to say, this was my first time in one and I could hardly stop myself from tripping over the trailing cloth. Huffing in annoyance, I grab the fabric in front of me and try to keep up with my tour guide.

It was a beautiful morning, I just realized. I wondered off handedly how the flowers we planted were fairing. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't know that we had already walked into the house until I looked up. I thought it was big on the outside, but it seemed impressively large on the inside. Rustic dark mahogany lined every wall and black marble gleamed on the floor. I watched a couple of maids scurry here and there, dotting some places with their presence. As we made headway up the stairs, I noticed that the ground floor had little to no furniture, just a couple of things placed sparingly around. The second floor seemed a bit cozier and lived in, seeing as it had a fire pit situated in the middle of the room, along with a wonderfully furry black carpet, a long off white sofa sat on top of it, accompanied by a sleek coffee table. Again, the maids scurried by passing sometimes; they'd greet us on their way past. Making our way down the hallway, I had a sinking feeling that we getting closer to his location. And the closer we got, the worse I felt.

After a minute, we reach two big doors. We pause in front of it, before Sango looks at me and nods lightly. She knocks on the door and announces us.

"She has arrived my Lord." She said and I start to panic.

"Come in." he says form the other side and my breath catches in my throat.

She pushes open the door to reveal him sitting behind a rather large desk, the morning light streaming out of the windows behind him, making him look all the more imposing. I shiver as he looks up from his paperwork and straight at me.

'Oh my god' I thought as his intimidating gaze locked with mine. I trembled slightly as his eyes slid down to admire the chocker around my neck. He smirks momentarily as he knits his slender digits together to rest his chin on.

The silence is unbearable as he scrutinizes me. I shake uncontrollably when he speaks again.

"Welcome to my estate Kissa." He said evenly, the way he said my name made my racing heart drop into my stomach. Clenching my hands to my side, Sango nudges me quickly gaining my attention. She curtsied lowly before him, apparently wanting me to do the same. Awkwardly, I did but rose just as quickly as I bowed. Nervously, I met his gaze.

"Please sir, let me go." I said quietly before raising my voice. "I'm nothing special."

"Oh but you are." He quipped nonchalantly. "You see girl, in all my life of living, I've never seen nor heard anyone like you."

-Sango-

Sango gave her new friend a side long glance. It wasn't everyday she'd heard those words come from Sesshomaru's mouth. Of course, the girl did have a certain unknown aura around her, one she couldn't accurately pinpoint. The girl's appearance was mystery as well. While not being a demon, she could have easily passed for human, and obviously that's exactly what she'd been doing.

As she stood before her Lord, she trembled.

"I've done nothing to attract your attention." She said shakily, hands fisting at her sides.

"But you have," he said, eyes narrowing on her ruby ones, "And you will do it again."

The whole time, Sango was lost within the brief conversation and still had no idea what her Lord saw in Kissa.

She swiped a worried glance towards her and saw her jaw tighten and clench. Anger radiated from her being, spiking the energy level in the spacious room.

"No."

Again their silence strained in the room and Sango tensed.

"You will not deny me." Sesshomaru said lowly, his voice cutting through the bubbling tension.

Kissa remained silent, although her lips began to tremble noticeably. Sango could tell she was struggling, wanting to stay strong and maintain a sense of bravery.

"Know that the idiotic decisions you make now not only impacts you but your pathetic friends."

Her brows knitted as her nostril flared. "You leave them out of it!"

He spoke as if he didn't hear her. "The plump one has been put in the hospital," he said, almost as if he was bored. "Maybe she needs to put out of her misery?"

She knew she couldn't do anything, but she did wish that Sesshomaru would stop taunting her. The poor girl was this-close from breaking down. Deciding to forgo her silence she hesitated before speaking herself.

"My Lord-"she started, but was quickly halted by his voice.

"Silence Sango and let her decide."

She glanced at Kissa worriedly who had a murderous glare set on her petite face. Her eye glittered with malice as her breathing hitched.

Keeping his eyes on her, the demon lord reached slowly for the phone on the other side of the desk. "All it takes is one ca-"

But suddenly, he was cut off by the most beautiful soprano she'd ever heard.

"Let me know, let me know."

Her head snapped to the side to see Kissa, her eyes still glaring at Sesshomaru, shimmering with unshed tears, yet her voice soft and luring. She could feel her aura span around her own lovingly, warming her very being and casting out any doubt in her mind. Sango shook her head as she stared in awe at the singing girl. What was going on?

"Oh, let me know, let me know, let me know." She stops momentarily to catch her breath.

'When I feel what I feel

Sometimes it's hard to tell you so

You may not be in the mood to learn what you think you know.' She sings the complete opposite of the emotion in her eyes as an overwhelming sense of tranquility washes over Sango's shocked form. It felt like Kissa was persuading her to feel like this, with her voice alone. Sango couldn't stop herself from sighing blissfully as the lyrics melted away all of her lingering tension.

'There are times when I find

Although the feeling was pleasant, she could feel its affects weaken, her aura seemed to dwindle from her gradually. She looked at the singing girl to find that her eyes where blinking quickly, as if trying to stay awake.

You want to keep yourself from me

When I don't have the strength I'm just a mirror of what I see.'

Just as the room began to feel heavy with tension and spite once again, Kissa wobbled where she stood as she clenched at her head. Her voice fades as all goes silent.

Right before I could collapse onto the ground, I felt myself stagger against Sango, who had a strong grip around my forearm. I'd forgot that I wouldn't be able to perform right especially since I had been stressed all morning. As I regained my composure, I watched his expressionless face. Scowling, I wanted to do nothing but claw those eyes from his skull. A solidary tear left its place as it trailed down my cheek.

"That will be all for today." He said, shifting his papers on his desk. "You may return back to your quarters."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me my friends are fine." I hissed.

"The longer you stay in this room, the worst off they'll be." He said. I visually flinched as if he'd gotten up and slapped me.

Needing not another word, I spun on my heel and pulled open the door. I see Sango whirl around to follow after me, but Sesshomaru's baritone stilled her movements.

There was no way in hell he'd have me caged up here like some kind of exotic bird. I wouldn't stand for any more of his pretentious bullshit.

Sprinting down the hallway, I had clearly forgotten which way I came from. Gathering the skirts of the kimono, I ran in whatever direction seemed right. The tears flowed freely now and with my vision hindered somewhat, I bumped into someone. The collision sent me sprawling on the floor and the spreading pains from my ass just made me all the more pissed.

"Hey, watch were your goin." Said the man I collided with. As I looked up, I recognized him to be that Inuyasha guy. His scowl disappears as he sees the state I'm in. He reaches a hand out towards me. "Are you alright?"

Scrambling to get up, I swat his hand away and bolt down the stairs, all the while I could hear him shout after me. Gathering the long skirt of my wardrobe, I rushed out the doors just as another maid had opened it. Straining for breath, I tried to remember which way was my ticket out of here. Standing restlessly at the entrance, I eyed the gate that Sango had told me not to cross. It wasn't too far from here, I could make it. Once again heaving the heavy material up above my knees, I ran for the exit. Adrenaline pumped wildly through my system, making me push my legs harder towards the ground, skipping over obstacles in my path. I was almost breathless once the exit was in my grasp and suddenly the hope that had seemingly vanished reappeared and filled me with tremendous happiness.

I knew it couldn't –wouldn't- be this easy, but damn, I couldn't stop myself from moving forward and out of those thick and ominous black gates.

A couple feet away, the collar pulses erratically around my neck, making me yelp in surprise. I try get the thing off from around my neck, but it's like it was glued in place. It wouldn't budge. Slowing my pace to a jog, I continued on once it had stopped.

It pulsed again moments later and I staggered to a halt. My hands slither around my neck, as the chocker beats in time with my racing heart.

Too determined to turn back, I pushed forward in hopes that someone could take this off of me whenever I ran into a to-

Within milliseconds, the thing embeds itself deep into my throat, cutting off any and all air intake. Immediately, my hands fly to my throat, trying to claw the thing from my neck, but find I couldn't get a grip at all! I panic as I drop to my knees on the gravel road, gasping for oxygen. Leaning over, I try scream, but I cannot.

'Help Me!'

All I can feel is my pulse rage in my throat, my lungs growing smaller every painstaking second that passed. Trying to get up, I fail and fall to my side, tears streaming from my dulling eyes.

I was going to die, wasn't I?

'Help Me!'

My reckless actions had lead me to this, and I could blame no one but myself. She told me not to pass the gate, but with my anger guiding me and fear to push me, I ran straight into this situation.

My eyesight blotches and fades as I try and use my bloodied hands to pull myself back to the gate.

'Help Me!'

But I can't.

I can feel nothing.

Slowly, my head lowers to the ground, where I stare unseeingly at the wicked metal of the gate and waited for my unwanted death.

-Inuyasha-

He didn't know how much time he had left as he rushed out the door, looking for the woman who had stumbled into him.

From the spite she held within her eyes, as well as the frightened tremble about her frame, he knew exactly what she was planning to do. He'd seen it too many times. They would pass the gate, but never return. Not because they had freed themselves, but because they were dead.

Despite the hell he raised once he figured out what was happening, his brother did nothing but shrug indifferently. Only Sesshomaru could undo the enchantment equipped in every chocker that was worn. The crazy bastard saw this as a way to teach his slaves a way of control and submission. Those who run where not deemed worthy to serve under him and would die in consequence.

Demon or not, the collars could bring even the strongest bear youkai to its knees in a matter of seconds.

That's why he had to find Kissa.

Dashing out the house, he crouched to the ground before he jumped into the morning air, sailing towards his target. As gravity brought him back to the hearty ground, he leaped again, ears pricked towards the lifeless body in the middle of the road, about ten feet from the gate.

"Shit." He hissed, increasing his speed once he hit the ground. "Kissa!"

Skidding to a stop before her, his heart dropped when he saw her glazed and unreceptive eyes. Her mouth opened slightly, as saliva slowly dribbled from the corner of her lips. Her hands bloodied and covered in dirt. One was still latched onto her neck, her small nails digging into the flesh and her other lay in front of her, still gripping the gravel in the road. It looked like she had passed over to the next world, but Inuyasha couldn't scent death on her.

Taking that as a sign, he grabbed her quickly and sprinted back towards the gates. He'd be damned to let another person die.

'If you'd been doing your job, this wouldn't have happened!' his subconscious yelled at him and he could do nothing but agree. If she died, then the blame would lie on him. He was supposed to be guarding her, but he had selfishly neglected the act for his girlfriend.

As soon as he made it on the other side, he notices the collar expand from within Kissa's bloodied neck, obtaining its original position on her throat, as if nothing happened. Dropping into a patch of lush, soft grass, he laid her down gently and listened for any sound of her breath. In a slight fit of panic when he heard none, he rushed into CPR, concentrating on any sign of life as he breathed air into her mouth, filling her lungs, praying for a response. Just as he pulled back, he could hear her heart drum within her chest as she gasped roughly, eyes wild and clearing. Relived to see she was out of immediate danger, he was startled when she reached for him, clung to him, coughing and sobbing heavily into Inuyasha's black muscle shirt. Her cold fingers clenched into the sides of the material as she buried her face in his chest.

Giving in to the comfort she was seeking, he pulled her trembling figure closer to him, soothing her cries by softly rubbing her back.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered into her dirtied hair, glaring straight towards the window where he spied his brother watching him. The bastard knew exactly what she was gonna do and didn't lift one damned finger to stop her. His voice trembles with anger as his embrace tightens. "I'm so sorry."

A/N: Yep, well this chapter has been like almost half a year in the making. I know Sesshomaru is acting a complete and total ass, just know it's bound to get better. Like I said, everybody's (except Sango) not gonna be all friendly, happy go lucky all of a sudden. It's actually gonna take time. But anyway, review if ya want. Thanks for reading. Oh! And I know! Lol I spelled Sesshomaru's name wrong a lot in the chapters before this one. *Bows repeatedly* Sorry about that.

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