Chapter 8

I do not own Inuyasha!

Warning: This chapter contains rated R language.

"What the fuck did you do to her Sanorai!?"

Inuyasha paced back and forth as the vision of Kagome lingered in his mind. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen; she was an angel. The only thing that bothered him was the mark on her face, it was almost menacing.

"We bonded. I think you know that. If we don't get to her soon she will die from being separated from me."

Looking at the ground, Sanorai sighed. He had screwed up everything. It was un- like him to make such poor decisions, but he had thought that he was right.

"Is that why she has that mark on her face?"

Clenching his fists, Inuyasha let a small growl erupt from his throat.

"I have never heard of people getting that mark when they bond, but I am assuming that's what it's from, along with her wings. When two people bond, they absorb each other's strong qualities. Each individual tends to become more beautiful and much stronger. That's the point of bonding. I thought that I would need her power combined with my own to defeat this enemy; however, I will admit that I bonded with the wrong person. "

Glancing at Gigi, who was leaning against the wall with her bow over her shoulder, Sanorai let another sigh escape from his lips. He had almost lost the urge to even fight anymore. All he was capable of was hurting the people he cared about and letting others down. Losing heart is rare for an angel, but occasionally angels fall just like humans and youkai.

Noticing the slump of Sanorai's shoulders and the loss of his usual smart ass attitude, Inuyasha grabbed his shirt and yanked him into an upright position.

"You will not give up! You started this mess and you will finish it. I will have Kagome back and you will find a way to undo this bond!"

"There is no way to undo the bond. At least none that I know of."

Slumping back over, Sanorai continued to trace the edges of stone floor with his eyes.

"We will find a way! I will slit your throat right here if you don't get up and help us get Kagome back safely! This is your fault!"

Looking into Inuyasha's furious glare, Sanorai looked past the rage and glimpsed into his soul. His passion for Kagome was unfaltering; his heart seemed to beat for her. His every breath was an extension of hers; their bodies flowed together in perfect harmony. One without the other was incomplete. It was uncommon for two people's life forces to connect in such a definite way. Their destinies were one. With her absence, Inuyasha's heart was incomplete and the pain coursed through his whole body and escaped from his eyes piercing Sanorai's soul.

Tearing his eyes away from Inuyasha's being, Sanorai starred at his hands. He ripped this couple apart causing insurmountable pain; he was appalled at what he had done to all these people.

Sanorai wished he would have never seen through Inuyasha's eyes. It was considered a gift to be able to see into one's soul. But an angel could only do it if a person was leaving their heart vulnerable.

Inuyasha was not one to hide his feelings of anger, but when it came to matters of the heart he tended to be shyer. He had never told Kagome the way he felt because he knew that once she found a way home that she would leave him and he would be 'minus one miko' again. Kikyou had done quite a bit of damage to his heart and now that Kagome had her fingers curled around its edges in her place, he knew that she would inevitably rip it out, even if she hadn't meant to.

What was the point of letting himself become comfortable in her arms when she would disappear someday, just like all humans.

But despite his qualms, Inuyasha knew that he would be half of a whole without her. There was a small spark of hope- maybe she would stay with him if he got Sanorai to release his hold on her.

"I don't deny that this is my fault Inuyasha. I just don't know if I can correct it."

"You will try; you better say you will damn well try!" Gigi pushed herself off the wall and adjusted her bow over her shoulder, while heading to Inuyasha and Sanorai.

"Gigi………." Sanorai refused to pry his eyes away from the floor; he knew Gigi's would be calculating his every move.

"Have you always been a coward? Or is this a recent occurrence?" Gigi slammed the end of her bow on the ground before him while replacing his view of the floor with her sandals.

"I am whatever you say I am……. I just don't think there is anything I can do to break the bond! Do you think I don't feel horrible for what I have done? I would rather die than feel the pain that wrenches my heart."

"You will get over your own pain and focus on us until we have Kagome back." Sango stepped up to the group with Kirara by her side. "She has changed each and every one of our lives for the better. What you have done is unforgivable; you have no choice but to help us."

"This woman has a hold on all of your hearts. I've never seen such a thing before…." Sanorai peered at the group surrounding him. He had never had friends like this before…..except for maybe one friend. Letting his eyes rest on Gigi, Sanorai traced her curvy outline. "I guess I have no choice in this matter, do I?"

The answer was in unison; every head shook 'no' and starred at his form, calculating his every move.

"Where did Naraku take her Sanorai?" Inuyasha started pacing back and forth again.

"So you know who that being is? The one who leads the damned from Hell?"

Sanorai released his wings and stretched them out to the sides. If he kept them back and under his haori for too long, they would cramp.

Stepping back from the sudden movement of his wings, the group starred in awe at their magnificence.

"Well don't just stare! Answer the question. Do you know who that man or demon was?"

"His name is Naraku." Inuyasha clenched Tetsusaiga in his fist and glared at the hole in the ceiling.

"Wait, your saying that Naraku is back!? Why didn't you tell us Inuyasha!?" Miroku slid his prayer beads from his hand to see if his wind tunnel had returned. But the only thing under the cloth was flesh. Sighing, he glanced at Sango with concern.

He had awoken many times at night with nightmares that his wind tunnel had returned and taken his loved ones from him. It was a constant weight that sat at the back of his mind.

"So I'm assuming that you all know Naraku…" Sanorai turned his attention to the tall figure with long white hair cascading down white silk.

Growling, Seshoumaru barred his teeth. He thought Naraku was long gone by now and knowing that he was back was just one more ache in his ass. Although it would please him to be able to kill Naraku himself this time.

Arching his eyebrows in towards his nose, he flashed Sanorai a deadly look.

Grabbing his sleeve, Rin tried to get his attention. "Will we go after him Seshoumaru?"

Pulling his sleeve from her grasp, Seshoumaru stepped back and sharply took in Rin's features. She was older and stronger than she was before, but that didn't change the fact that Naraku had almost killed her in the past. As much as he hated to admit, he loved that little girl and he could not bear to lose her. His sword could only bring someone back to life once and he had used its power when she was a young girl.

"I don't think it would be wise for you to come. You will stay behind and I will come after you when we finish."

Ripping her rikosoma from her hip, Rin let it unwind until it touched the floor.

"I will not be left behind." She gritted through her teeth.

"You will do as I say." Seshoumaru turned his back to Rin and glided to Sanorai.

"Turning your back won't make me stay here! I have trained hard and I refuse to stand here and let you leave me!" Whipping her rikosoma around her body displaying her skill with the weapon, Rin broadly smiled.

Ignoring her, Seshoumaru started a conversation with Sanorai about Naraku's position.

"Rin, I think you should come with me to meet with Kaede. I have a few things that I need to discuss with her. You will also get to see Shippo." Miroku winked and motioned for her to stand beside him.

"I want to go with Seshoumaru!"

"We will meet up with the group later. You might as well do what he says. And besides, I will need your help. You seem very skilled with the rikosoma."

"What will you need my help with?" Rin's shoulders drooped in submission while she wound her rikosoma back into a ball. It was tiring to always be told what to do. As much as she loved and respected Seshoumaru, it hurt her that he didn't trust her skill enough to let her come with him. He probably just thought she would get in the way.

Scratching his head and smiling, Miroku looked at the group for a helpful answer.

"We might have to protect the village. There are plenty more of those creatures on the ground you know. They must not be allowed to hurt the people in the villages." Smiling wider, he leaned in and put his hand on Rin's shoulder. "So what do ya say?"

"Fine, I will go with you as long as I will see a fight."

Noticing the monk touching Rin, Seshoumaru gracefully walked by and removed Mirkou's hand from Rin's shoulder.

"I will kill you, monk, if you touch her again." Seshoumaru stated with a monotone voice.

"And I will too!!" Piped Sango from the background.

"This is stupid! I don't know why I have to go with you instead of Seshoumaru." Rin landed with a thud on the ground next to Miroku after jumping from Kirara. She still could not understand why he would train her and then leave her with this lecher.

"You know, being with me is not so bad." Adjusting his robe, Miroku hated that it always seemed to get wrinkled when he rode on Kirara.

"Besides, Seshoumaru didn't seem to want you in danger. If it were me, I wouldn't cross that youkai's path if I didn't have to." Turning towards the village, Miroku headed for Kaede. He was getting tired of listening to her whine about being with Seshoumaru- she just needed to buck up and get over it.

Catching up with Miroku, Rin found it easier to keep pace with him over Seshoumaru. The daiyoukai had very long strides and she would get left behind easily if she wasn't paying attention.

"You know, he's not that bad." Rin noticed Miroku's skeptical expression. "It's whatever you think monk. But he is a good man."

Once they reached the village it wasn't hard to find Kaede. She always seemed to be near when they needed her. Her advice was sometimes cryptic but it usually ended up being useful in the most unexpected ways.

Racing around a corner, Shippo slammed into Miroku.

"Glad your back, Miroku!! Have you found Kagome?"
"I'm afraid we found her and then lost her again, Shippo."

"Rin! What are you doing here?"

Shippo looked Rin over and realized that she had grown into a beautiful young lady. Shippo hadn't grown as quickly as Rin because youkai aged slower than humans, but he had grown into a small boy. His legs were a little longer and his chest slightly broader. His small red pony tail had grown long and barely reached his hips.

"I am here to help."

"Where is Seshoumaru?" Shippo knew that Seshoumaru protected this girl fiercely and where she was he was not far behind, probably leaving a path of destruction.

"He is with Inuyasha and the others."

Shippo's eyes widened and he looked at Miroku for the answer to his surprise.

"I made him help Inuyasha find Kagome because Inuyasha has helped me in the past. Seshoumaru had a debt to pay to Inuyasha for my protection and he is repaying it. He is being as civil as possible I hope." Cracking a smile, Rin giggled at the thought of Seshoumaru trying to be nice to people that he obviously thought below him.

"You made him? That seems unlikely. I'm sure there is something in it for him." Miroku stated. That youkai would not do anything if it did not please him to do so. It was unlikely that he had stayed beside his hated brother just because Rin wished it and if he had, he had grown soft- which would not be a bad thing for him.

"Whatever you think Miroku." Rin winked and smiled at the monk. She had that big youkai wrapped around her finger and she didn't care if anybody else knew. He might boss her around occasionally, but in the end, she always got what she wanted.

Turning their attention to Kaede, Miroku sat down in front of her hut beside her.

"So, ye found Kagome eh?"

"We did, but she was taken from us again……I have bad news Kaede…." It was never fun for Miroku to give disheartening information, unless it benefited him, but this was definitely not beneficial.

"There be devils loose. I can feel their auras. The dead be walking the earth, but, can you tell me how?" Kaede knew that there were bad things about, she didn't need Miroku to tell her that much. Just the other day she had to rid the village of a few ghastly looking creatures hobbling around, scaring villagers to death.

Plopping down beside them, Shippo and Rin opened their ears to the miko and monk's conversation. They would not be left out of the fight like they so often were. They had to grow up sometime and right now they were wedging their feet in the door of life.

"Naraku is leading them…….he has Kagome…."

Looking at Miroku in surprise, Kaede stood and stumbled into her hut. Walking back out, she held a broken staff.

"This be what ye need to seal the breach in Hell. I never believed the tales of the damned roaming Earth, but it has happened before. This be what Sanorai's father used hundreds of years ago to seal the breach. I only have part of the staff, you will have to find the rest."

"Do you think we have time to search for this? Kagome might die…."

"Monk, we all be dead if Earth becomes Hell."

Placing his hands over his face, Miroku didn't want to lose any of his friends. It just seemed like he would be sacrificing Kagome for humanity. He knew that she would tell him not to worry about her, but how can you not be selfish and care more about the people you love?

"Inuyasha will find her, Miroku." Shippo gave him a half-hearted smile.

"Did she bond to Sanorai?" Kaede whispered through cracked lips.

"Yes, Inuyasha said that she has wings now. I didn't actually get to see her because Naraku took her before I found them though."

"Ahhh, she be an angel now. Either she or Sanorai can use the staff to send Naraku back where he belongs. But let us hope she will not die by being separated from him."

"Do you know where the other half of this staff is?"

Miroku pushed himself to his feet and plucked the broken staff from Kaede's grasp.

"Ye must find Totosai. Myoga will surely be with him. Myoga was alive when Sanorai's father fought the minions of Hell. I also think that he and Inuyasha's father were present during the battle. He will know what happened to the staff."

"Thank you for your help Kaede, we will leave immediately. Kagome needs us." Turning his attention to Rin and Shippo, Miroku motioned for them to get their things.

"Do you both want to come with me?"

"You know that I refuse to be left behind," Rin placed her hand over her rikosoma, knowing that it was there was always a comfort.

"Kagome needs me; I won't stay behind either." Puffing out his chest, Shippo threw his bag over his shoulder. She was like his mom, there was no way he would let her die without a fight.

"Okay, off to Totosai we go!" Turning into the sunset, Miroku, Rin, and Shippo headed towards Totosai's cave.

"Why do you insist on fighting me? You will not win this time." Naraku hissed as he drug Kagome from the cave that they had subsided in for the night.

Naraku's fingers were embedded in her wrist as he pulled her limp body by one arm to the side of a stream.

Her body was spotted with bruises and gashes from his constant punishment. He thought that she needed to be punished every time she opened her mouth when not told, when she glared without permission, when she did anything that he didn't approve of at the moment. Just her being alive was considered an injustice that needed to be punished, by his cruel standards.

Kagome's lips were cracked from lack of water and nourishment and her eyes were surrounded by dark circles from not getting enough sleep. It was becoming harder by the day to pry her eyes open- her body was just lacking the nutrients it needed to produce energy. So being tired was keeping her mind in a constant fog. Naraku was slowly killing her in many ways and it pleased him to see her suffer.

Kagome found her constantly thinking of home……a soft bed, a pillow, food, lots of food, and most of all- a bath. She had never had so much blood and dirt rubbed over her body in all of her life- and she and Inuyasha had been in some pretty bad scrapes.

Maybe this was the end…….. it really wouldn't be so bad at all to finally give up on life. Her heart never ceased to throb and she constantly had to give up her own desires and instead help the hordes of people who unrelentingly needed saving. Miko-sama please save us……Miko-sama please cure him…….Miko-sama don't let us die……

For once she wanted to scream….DOES ANYBODY CARE WHAT I WANT!?

But she knew that would be selfish and it was her duty to help people regardless the situation.

She had never known fairy tales to be so brutal; the heroine never got beaten this badly or died in the end. Maybe it was just that, maybe fate had thrown her into a horror story instead of the 'happily ever after' story. That wouldn't surprise her in the least, if she didn't have bad luck, she wouldn't have luck at all.

Sucking in her breath from the sudden pain, Kagome cracked her eye open just as Naraku's foot dislodged from her stomach. Her body's first reflex was to curl in a ball and try not to vomit whatever was left in her, which wasn't much more than bile.

Once she recovered, she bitterly glared at Naraku's form above her. He liked to make her stay flat on the ground like she was his pet. Very rarely had he let her stand unless it was to do something for him.

"You disgust me." Naraku spat.

Well, you disgust me you piece of shit! Kagome screamed in her mind.

She didn't let it out at the moment because her reward would probably be another stiff foot in the gut and that didn't sound very nice at the moment.

"Undress! You smell!"

"Fuck you." Kagome blurted it out before she could stop herself. Ugh. He will kill me now. Oh well, at least he will stop hitting me once I'm dead.

Before she had a chance to squeal, Naraku grabbed her by her neck and lifted her from the ground bringing her face nose to nose with his.

"You are not very bright after all, are you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Naraku, just kill me already." Kagome was tired of being thrown around like a rag doll. It was time he came through on his promise and put her out of her misery.

"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Snorting, Naraku extended one of his clawed hands to Kagome's silk dress strap. Snapping one and then the other, he ripped the cloth from her body, exposing her callused, bruised, naked flesh.

Dangling from his grip, Kagome didn't even reach to cover herself. She had sufficiently given up; she didn't care what he did to her. There wasn't much left he could do anyway.

"Be assured, you will die. Just not until I'm done with you." Tossing her into the stream, Naraku's lips curled at the sight of her gasping from the freezing water.

"Now wash yourself off. You smell like shit, you pathetic whore."

Trying to dry off after she rinsed was slightly complicated without having anything to actually dry off with. She didn't even know what she would wear now that Naraku had turned her dress into tatters. So, here she sat, beside the stream, naked, with nothing to cover her except her wings. Life had gone completely down hill since she fell in that damn well.

"Put these on!"

Kagome jumped slightly at the sound of Naraku's harsh voice as he threw a pile of clothes at her feet. Unfolding them, she realized that it was a green hakama. She would be wearing a miko's traditional garb instead of silk, which actually comforted her in a way. The silk dress only reminded her of Sanorai.

It didn't take long for her to dress; it was only irritating having to make holes in her top so her wings would fit through. She liked having them, but she would prefer to be as she was. It was a pain in the ass to get used to having such large appendages sticking out of her back and almost nothing fit her correctly anymore.

"We leave at dawn. I will let you get a little rest tonight, just enough to keep you going. I want you to be alive when I take over the world."

Without saying a word, Kagome nodded and laid down where she was beside the stream. She didn't care where she was, as long as she could sleep. It was such a relief when she finally let her eyes close and her mind drifted into a deep slumber.

Okay so here is chapter 8 for you! Please review and let me know what you think. I am thankful for the reviews I have gotten! When I get them, it makes this story worth writing! Thank you again.