Hi hi

Oh yeah I don't own inu

Echoe Shayne

Kagome

Closing the door Yasha looked up to see Miroku was standing there watching him.

"Well?"

"Let her sleep. We will go in the morning before they start transporting him. We need to get him before he's out in the open. Kouga, despite everything, isn't stupid and he will be expecting us to come."

"What about the girl?" Miroku said his eyes shifting to the door Yasha had just walked out of.

"Tomorrow I will take her to Kaede's and she should be safe there."

"Are you just going to leave her?" He just didn't understand why Yasha had brought this woman in the first place. There had to be a reason Yasha didn't just decide to do something on a whim. There was always a reason. Maybe Yasha had finally fallen victim to the wiles of a woman...well if that was the case he had certainly chosen a very fiery pretty one. Yasha would need someone who could hold her own against him if not in fighting skill at least in temper. He was going enjoy rubbing in this new bit of information.

"Of course I'm going to leave her. I can't wait to get rid of her. She's a bother."

"Oh." There went that idea. For a second there he actually sounded like he hated her. So what was she doing with him? Who was she? He knew that she wasn't Sango's cousin. At least he thought that she wasn't. He did know everything about Sango and as far as he knew she didn't have cousin that he had never heard about.

Yasha sunk to the floor, if he was going to get any rest he had to get it in now. Breathing a sigh he tried to makes sense of the situation he was in. A Higurashi was asleep in the other room and he wasn't doing anything about it. He was even hiding her identity from his friend. Heck he had carried her half way here.

She was nothing like her father. What was that the millionth time he had gone over this in his head. No she was nothing like that wretched man he could see it plainly in her eyes every time she looked at him. Her eyes were warm and caring they held an innocence in them that practically beamed. How long could she stay like that?

Till now she had been protected. She may have lived a very sheltered life but that just kept her away from the pain. She had run away from it all, she would have to face reality and reality was cruel. How could someone like her take care of themselves? If he hadn't been there he couldn't count how many times she would have been caught by now. If he hadn't been there the first night who was to say that she would even be alive right now. He wanted to shield her from it all.

*~*~*~Jail House Ember~*~*

"So you're the prisoner. You mean they called me here for you? You're nothing but a little boy."

"You're one to talk. You just pretend to be a man." Hojo said looking up at the man towering over him.

"Silence! You will answer when you are expected to."

Oh did he have to speak so loud. His head was pounding and this idiot comes into the room and starts yelling at him that he was a little boy. If I could move I would show him who's a little boy. Looking down at the ground that was covered with dirt and straw he frowned. He had been here for a few days. Were they going to come? He had to have faith he couldn't give up hope. They would come. they would come.

"What's wrong? Look at me. Not at the ground." Kouga barked at the man sitting on the ground.

"I would but I seem to be having trouble holding up my head."

"Then let me help you." Drawing back his foot he smiled as he felt his boot come in contact with the boys flesh.

Hojos head flew back hitting the wall behind him hard. Warm liquid ran down his face as pain exploded outward from where the mans foot had connected. His nose was broken but he wasn't about to give the man towering over him the satisfaction of even seeing his raise his hand to wipe away the blood. Instead he glared at the man knowing it would push his buttons, if they wanted to use him for bait then they needed him alive.

Much to Kouga's annoyance he watched the mans lips curl up in a little half smile. "Why are you so calm? Is it because you know that someone is coming for you? I hope they do. You know that? I'm waiting I'm waiting for them."

If more people get captured it will be all my fault. The though filled him with shame. He was in here because he had been careless both with his words and with his actions. He had said the wrong thing and witness had been called in to see his execution carried out. Captain Kouga he knew the name. The man in front of him had a reputation for being cruel. 'and he's using you'

Maybe it would be better if no one came for him, he didn't want to think of someone else getting caught or even dying just because of him. Maybe it would be better if he died right here then they would lose their bait.

"I hate to disappoint you but no one will come for me. I'm not important."

"Is that so? Then why are you so calm? Tomorrow you will be hung as a betrayer of our lord Naraku."

"I do not fear death. I would rather die that continue to live under Naraku's rule." He had been expecting it the hard object connected with his face again. This time delivering him into the sweet abyss of nothingness.

~*~*~* Ember Miroku's House *~*~*

"Wake up you have to go."

Kagome frowned as she was rudely awakened by someone shaking her. 'you have to go' those words made their way through her sleep fogged mind. This was it what she had been waiting for. You would have thought if their as the last time she was goingto be seeing him he would have woken her up a little more gently.

"Hurry up we have to go." He was getting impatient he didn't have time to wait for this little girl to get up they had to move now every second wasted was a second they couldn't get back.

Sitting up she took in his angry expression though, she knew he was mad at her she could also tell that wasn't the only thing bothering him. The urgency was back, the pushing feeling, they were running out of time. She had no idea what was causing it but looking in Yashas flashing golden eyes she knew he did.

"Hurry your ass up. I don't have time to wait for you and I'm not leaving you here without anyone, you would just find some way to get into trouble. So get up right now or I'm going to drag you out the door."

She wanted to know what it was after all it had been the driving factor in their break neck pace. But she knew Yasha was not in the mood to give her any kind of explanation. Not wanting to upset him even more then he already was she scrambled to her feet trying not to notice when a sharp pain shot up her leg when she touched the floor.

For a brief second he watched pain flash across her features before she masked them with a half smile. Looking down at her foot worry crept in for a brief second, before disappearing. He had more important things to worry about right now.

Looking around the sky was alight in vibrant blue, the kinda blue the filled the sky just before the sun came up. Where were they going? Yasha hadn't wanted to leave her alone, and she doubted he was going to take her with him wherever it was he was going to in such a hurry.

"Where am I going?" she asked knowing that she was the only one going there.

"I'm taking you to Kaede's. You'll be safe there."

"Safe?"

"As in if you stay there then you'll be ok." He answered looking over his shoulder at her. That wasn't what she wanted to hear he knew but there wasn't time to explain.

Hurrying she followed him out the door to see that Miroku was standing there waiting for them. Miroku wore the same expression Yasha had worn on his face earlier. She wasn't going to get any more information out of him then she had gotten out of Yasha.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go and get anyone else?" Miroku asked seeing the two come out of the back.

"No I'm going alone. The last thing I need is for another idiot to get themselves caught."

"And what am I? I'm going with you I would hardly call that alone" Miroku asked raising one of his eyes brows.

"Well you happen to be an Idiot I trust."

"And here I thought that you didn't trust anyone." He muttered under his breath as they headed to the door.

________-

Yasha paused for a brief second turning to look at Kagome as they walked through the town on their way to lady Kaedes. He couldn't very well tell her that Kouga was here. She had been trying so hard to get away from him and here he was, didn't know how she would react. All he knew was that if he wanted her to be safe then she had to go to Kaedes.

It was different, so early in the morning. People were already milling around on the streets but it wasn't anything like the uncomfortable masses of people they had walked through when they had been in Toll. Looking around, she felt a little uncomfortable. Why shouldn't she feel uncomfortable after all she had just ran away from her home and she was here to start a new life? What was she going to do? She hadn't thought this far ahead. Where was she going to go? Worried, she unintentionally drew closer to Yasha.

_________-

Kaede opened the door to see Yasha and Miroku standing there.

"What are you doing here? You don't have that much time." Their presence here troubled her had something gone wrong? Taking in their cloaked figures she shifted her gazeback and forth between the two men.

"I know that we don't but first we have something to do. Can you watch someone for me?" Yasha spoke in hurried tone, he expected her to say yes.

Watch someone? It was then that she saw someone was standing behind Yasha. All that she could see was small fingers holding onto Yasha's cloak. It was an unusual sight since when did Yasha let anyone get that close to him?

Looking over his shoulder he frowned at the way that Kagome was leaning against him. What could she be afraid of like he would let anyone hurt her? Then again she didn't know anybody. Reaching his hand out, Yasha grabbed her shoulder gently pulling her in front of him yet still maintaining the closeness if only to ease her frazzled nerves. There wasn't time to calm her down if she decided she wanted to make a scene.

"Can you watch this for me please? I have something to do and I really don't want to leave her alone. You have no idea how much trouble she can get herself into."

"Who is this?" Kaede asked curious who was this woman that Yasha let get so close.

"It's Sango's cousin." Miroku said before turning away from them. Out the window he could see that the sun was getting higher and pretty soon everything would begin. They had to move quickly if they wanted to get there in time.

Kagome looked at the older woman. She seamed nice enough and if they where trusting her to watch over her then she should be alright.

"What's your name dear?" Kaede said trying to put the younger woman at ease.

My name? Yes I have a new name. Not knowing what Miroku or Kaede would do if she said her real name she quickly gave them the name that Yasha had given her.

"Kongyou."

"What a lovely name. Well why don't you come in the back with me and we'll get everything in order and let these two do what they have to."

"Alright." What else could she do she was obviously being left. With a frown she watched as Yasha and Miroku turn away from her. Taking a step forward, she stopped staring at their backs.

"Yasha…" She didn't know what to say. He was leaving her and it made her feel vulnerable. In the short time she had been with him she had come to think if she got into trouble then he would be there to get her out of it. But now he was walking out on her.

Hearing his name he stopped turning a little to see that Kagome had taken a step toward them. Her eyes pleading with him. Smiling he could see, she wasn'tjust worried about herself she was also worried about him.

"Be careful." She didn't know why she had said it but it seemed right. He seemed to understand because he nodded his head ever so slightly before turning to leave again.

Kaede watched with a small smile on her face. This was interesting. Just who was this girl that Yasha had brought her to watch?

_____-

Be careful. The words where still ringing through his head as he and Miroku set themselves up outside the holding house.

"We have to get in now. You're going to cause a diversion for me. We'll be able to blend into the crowds if we can get as far as the inner city market.

"And from there?"

"From there we take our chances and leave when we get the opportunity."

_________-

"Kongyou is it?" Kaede asked

"Yes that would be it."

"How is that you come to be traveling with Yasha."

"He is bringing me here because Sango asked him to." At least that was the reason Yasha wanted everyone to believe. The real reason that she had been with him is because he wanted to dump her here. Looking at Lady Kaede it wouldn't bad to stay here. But she couldn't help but think if she did stay here she would be nothing but aburden to the older woman. Most of all her pride didn't want to settle with just staying because this was where she had been left. I can do things on my own. I'm not as helpless as he thinks I am.

__________-

The guards seamed pretty sure of them selves they didn't think this much precaution needed to be taken. But Kouga had demanded it and they all feared him.

Yasha took in the two guards standing on either side of the door. "You take the one on the left and I'll take the one on the right. We have to make this quick. An unknown number of guards are still inside."

Not saying anything, Miroku nodded and moved into position. He knew that he had to keep his focus to keep up with Yasha.

"Go."

Yasha moved silently and quickly closing the distance between him and the guard in no time. His sword already drawn, he brought it down putting the guard out of commission before he even had time to yell. Just as quickly he was moving through the door, Miroku was not that far behind. As he entered, about five men stopped what they where doing and stared at the two men that had just walked into the room.

What was that commotion? Hojo forced her head up to look around him. He didn't see anything. Maybe they had come. He wanted to yell out but his throat was so dry. He didn't even think that he would be able to talk if he wanted to. The door to his cell burst open.

Kouga frowned as he heard the commotion heading in the direction of the cells. What was going on here? Had they come? Before he suspected they would. How? did they have spies among his men? They wouldn't dare they knew what he would do to them. Running into the room he saw that the floor was littered with men. Out of the corner of his eye he caught a swirl of red. But it was gone. Hurrying to the window he saw yet another swish of fabric but not the person. He knew that they would be headed to the main market thinking that they could lose him there.

What did they do to Hojo? He wasn't exactly the lightest person but right now he was just dead weight. His face was bruised and he could smell the dried blood on him. Slipping into the group of people he frowned. Kouga was in pursuit, he would waste no time of that he knew for sure.

Red, the color flashed through his mind. He was looking for red. So the red death, the Shinkushikyou had come to save one of his own. He would enjoy this he had wanted the Shinkushikyou in his custody for a long time. Looking up he saw them. Three heads moving among the mass. They carry the wounded one and he slows them down. That will be their downfall.

Yasha cursed under his breath. Hojo was out cold and there was no way that they could make it look like he was walking. While he was carrying him he would be dead in the water. Yasha turned his head a little to look over his shoulder. Kouga was there pushing his way through the crowd already people were trying to scurry out of his way.

He had to run for it. Glancing over at Miroku he caught his eye nodding. This was where they split up. Cursing under his breath he saw eight other men move into place behind Kouga. The rest of the men that had been summoned to help with the transport his mind told him.

"Yasha." Miroku said. He was trying not to say it too loud. He was hoping not to draw anymore attention to himself then he had to. Shifting his eyes to look at the men behind him, he frowned. There wasn't that many people left between them.

"I know, don't stare at them."

Surveying the crowd he tried to make up his mind as to what rout he would take. It was then that he saw her. Kagome was standing a little off to his right, between him and Kouga. Anger beginning to bubble up he cursed under his breath. What was the little idiot doing here? He had to get her attention quickly. His eyes darting up, he saw that Kouga had stopped his pursuit his eyes locked on the Kagome.

"Miroku I'm going to need a diversion." Turning his attention to his companion he fallowed Yashas gaze to Kouga. It appeared that the man who was pursuing them had changed his course. This in its self was a good thing so what did Yasha need a diversion for? His eyes shifting in the direction Kouga was heading he saw Kongyou standing there frozen in place.

What was the commotion? Maybe if she just stood here whatever it was would just go on by her. She wished she was just little bit taller so she could see what was going on. Looking though the crowd she saw a man standing there. He was wearing a red cloak and it appeared he was holding someone up. Yasha? the hood was pulled up so she couldn't see his face still there was no doubt in her mind that it was him. Just like she didn't have to see his face to know, he was very mad at her right now. As she was watching his attention shifted. Following his gaze, she looked in the direction that the noise was coming from.

What she saw was frightening Kouga was there pushing his way through the crowd of people and he was looking right at her. Panic rose so thick she could taste it. She wanted to run she wanted to get as far away from him as possible but her limbs weren't listening to her all she could do was stand there and stare as he got closer to her.

She was in trouble. She was going to get yelled at either way she knew. Looking back and forth for a few seconds she didn't know which would be worse. Kouga could be bad. She didn't know Yasha as well. She knew that because she had disobeyed something he had said she was just asking for punishment. She would take Yasha's punishment over becoming Kouga's bride any day.

"Kagome." Kouga yelled. She just stood there staring at him her eyes wide. Just wait till he his hands on her. He hadn't expected her to be here, but Kagome was always full of surprises.

What was wrong with her. She was staring at the angry man who was now violently pushing people out of his way to get to her. Maybe he should just let Kouga have her. She was the perfect distraction. If they wanted to get away they could do so now and Kouga wouldn't even notice till it was too late. It would teach her, she would know better the next time he told her to do something. Though is he left her now there would be no next time.

"Kongyou!" He yelled but she wasn't focused. Kongyou didn't register as her name. Biting his lip he shook his head. There was only one way he was going to get her attention. "Kagome!"

Someone else was yelling her name. Turning her head in the other direction she shook herself a little. She had to get out of here. Suddenly her body could work again and she took a step in the other direction toward Yasha.

What who else knew her here? Kouga stopped for a second searching for the source of the voice only to find that it was the two people that he had been perusing before. Quickly focusing back on Kagome he saw that she was headed toward the man. He had to get to her now. Moving forward he began throwing people out of his way.

She had to move. Pushing her way though the crowd, she frowned as her foot hit the ground wrong and the pain that had been there yesterday erupted again coursing up her leg like fire.

"Now Miroku!"

What the hell was going on? Where had that wind come from? Shielding his eyes for a second, Kouga turned his head losing sight of Kagome. When he looked back, there were just a lot of confused looking people. Neither of his prey were anywhere in sight. One thought was buzzing in his mind; she chose the Sinkushikyou who ever he was. Did she know him or is any stranger better then me? The question baffled him.

_____________-

What had happened? Looking at Miroku she was confused he was obviously human and yet he had made it windy. It hadn't been an ordinary wind either when she had been standing in it there had been an odd feeling like the wind was pulling at her trying to pull her in. Into what she didn't know but the feeling had been very unpleasant. Miroku had her cradled in his arms and they were following Yasha at a quick pace.

She didn't like what was going on. They needed cover a lot of ground and quickly. People would be in pursuit of them soon enough. Kouga wouldn't want them to get away. She was happy Yasha had been where he had. Really he had saved her again but in return she had dragged both him and Miroku into this mess. If it hadn't been for her then they wouldn't be getting chased.

They didn't head back in the direction Kaedes but rather out of town. Soon they were traveling through the forested country the lay beyond the city. Her attention was focused on Yasha they had slowed a little without warning he stopped dead in his tracks. He laid down what he had been carrying. It was just as he had though in the market. It was a person but it wasn't moving and appeared to be covered with blood. Maybe it was a dead body. Yasha strode toward her. He wasn't bothering to keep his face in the shadows of his hood and she knew it was for her benefit. He was angry. As she looked at him she was thankful Miroku was still holding her. Because if he had been supporting her she might have shrank back under Yashas glare.

Yasha didn't know what to say to her. She had disobeyed him, disobedience was something he would not stand for. Taking another step closer to her and Miroku the frown on his face deepened. What did she think she was doing?

"You should be afraid right now."

"I know." She bowed her head.

"When I tell you to do something you do it! I don't want no ifs, ands, or buts about it. What I say is the law."

Cringing Kagome tried to shut out the sound of Yasha's irritated voice.

"I just wanted to. And I never knew he was here if I had then.."

"Then what? That's no excuse."

Miroku didn't want to stand there. He had been the brunt of Yasha's anger before and it wasn't all together pleasant.

Kagome slid to the ground as Miroku tried to get away from her as fast as possible and she couldn't blame him.

"I'm going to tend to Hojo while you umm." Miroku looked back andforth between the two of them before turning away.

Her breath hitching in he throat as she had shifted her weight. It had been the wrong idea. Pin and needles ran up her leg stemming from her ankle it was enough to make her knee buckle. It threw her off balance and there wasn't enough time to shift her weight to her other leg again. Instead she closed her eyes preparing for the impact. Strong arms closed around her supporting her weight easily.

"And just look at that you go and hurt yourself." Kneeling down he lowered the two of them to the ground. "Let me take a look at it then." His voice sounded rough and she was a little reluctant to let him look at her ankle but knew that no matter what she said that he was going to any way so she just nodded.

With a frown he pulled up the hem of her dress and was met by the sight of her purpling ankle. It was a little swollen and he wondered how it was that she had even been able to walk on it. Adrenalin could do wonderful things when it had to. But too bad, her running on it had probably only done her more harm. Serves her right. I need her to be able to move. Reaching out his hand he took her ankle in his hand.

"This is going to hurt I have to press down to see if the bones broken."

He felt her hesitate. Yasha looked up catching her eyes before she gave a curt nod.

Squeezing her eyes shut her hand reached out gathering the material of his cloak in her tight grip while bowing her head forward and resting it against his other shoulder.

Hojo was ok. He was just a little worse for wear and probably a little weak. His legs were good. Most of the damage had been done to his midsection and face. When he woke he should be able to walk fine. Focusing his attention back to Yasha and Kongyou he was surprised. He would have thought that Yasha would be yelling at her right now but instead they were both on the ground and he was cradling her against him. Well that was what it looked like at first glance. Rather it appeared she was leaning against him and he was looking at her leg? Was she hurt?

Biting down on her lip she felt the slight pressure as his hand closed around her ankle. He was just touching her ankle and it already hurt. Then he quickly clasped his hand down on her ankle. It must have only been a few seconds but it felt like an hour to her. Her hand clasped down harder on his shoulder and she felt wetness on her cheeks.

He had expected her to scream but she didn't. Instead she had just gripped his cloak more. A slight salty smell reached him causing him to instantly turn to look at her face. Her eyes were pressed shut and tears were coursing down her cheeks. Then he did something remanisant of the night before only this time she wasn't asleep. Still he wasn't able to stop himself. His hand went the side of her face while his thumb made a sweeping motion wiping away the tears letting his thumb linger there against the softness of her skin for a brief second before he senses came back to him and he pulled away.

"Is it over?"

He smiled as she first opened one eye as if to look around and make sure that he wasn't lying

Kagome looked around quickly before setting on Yasha. He was smiling? Shouldn't hebe yelling wasn't he mad at her? He was smiling at her? Shouldn't he be yelling?

"Unfortunately I don't think that you'll be able to use it for a couple of days and we need to be moving. "

"I thought that you where going to leave me," Kagome said not able to look him in the eyes. She couldn't explain the ach that had settled into her chest at those words. Yash could be mad at her all he wanted. She just didn't want him to leave her. He was the only familiar thing in this new world.

"That was the plan but now I seem to be stuck with you a little while longer at least." It had been the plan to leave her there. She would be safe Kaede, He had been sure if he had left her there, she would have been well taken care of. After all Lady Kaede had taken good care of him.

"I'm sorry."

"You should be."

"I mean it's my fault. If it hadn't been for me then you wouldn't have to worry about Kouga chasing you and I am so sorry. I should have stayed in one place like you told me too. Yasha felt the urge to laugh but Miroku beat him to it. Turning he frowned, freezing Miroku with just one look.

Miroku stopped laughing but it was just so funny she thought the entire reason they were getting chased was her fault? "Do you even know where this man came from? We broke him out of jail. He was set to be executed today. Captain Kouga was here as a witness."

Her eyes darted to the man that was lying on the ground.

"Is he alright?" she asked somewhat alarmed. She shouldn't be taking up their time. The man probably needed them far more than she did right now

"Yeah he'll be fine it's mainly just his face. They never touched his legs so he'll be able to walk and that's a lot more then I can say for you, by the looks of things," Miroku said nodding toward her leg as he looked down at the nasty bruise.

Looking down she was embarrassed. Executed. She knew that people got into trouble. She also knew something else. People were punished by death all the time. The only difference was that public executions were held in reserve for two things. The first being treason committed by anyone within the army or within the court. The second was anyone suspected of rebel involvement. The men around her were obviously not part of the army or the royal court.

Looking back and forth between the two men it made sense why hadn't she put everything together sooner. They were part of the resistance. It also made sense why Yasha and Sango had helped her. After all not just anyone would help her. It was then that she realized she was still putting them in danger, maybe more now than before because Kouga knew she was with them. She was drawing Kouga to them and if they really were rebels that was defiantly not something they wanted. She was a big risk to both Yasha and Miroku more than she had realized. Lunging forward she threw her arms around his neck burring her face in his hair.

"Thank you."

He was shocked. What was she doing? For a second he stared into space before wrapping his arms lightly around her. Miroku lifted an eyebrow. Was this the same Yasha? He had never seen him act like this. First he had looked up to see them in a tender scene as Yasha examined her ankle now they were hugging.

Who the hell was this girl? Both Yasha and Kouga had been trying to get a hold of her. Who was Kongyou? He knew for sure that she wasn't Sango's long lost cousin. But Kouga was after her. That in its self spoke volumes. What was it they had been yelling at her? Kagome her real name was Kagome. So why did Yasha lie to me? She must be important. When Kouga had seen her he had stopped his pursuit and turned toward her. What had she done? Was it something bad?

"We'll wait here for a little while. Kouga will have to get some men together before he comes." Miroku said calmly but when Yasha turned to look at him he realized he had over stepped his bounds and he was about to hear about it.

"Never let yourself get so comfortable. We leave now. I will take no chances."

"But what about them?"

"You carry Kongyou and I will take Hojo till he wakes up."

And so they walked with no idea where they where going, just away. It felt different to be carried by Miroku. He didn't have any problems handling her weight but still she didn't feel at ease. Though she didn't feel as uncomfortable as she thought she would have.

Yasha looked back as they moved along. Miroku was holding Kagome against him how could he trust that pervert with her. Not that it was any of his business. Not that Miroku knew anything. Yasha didn't know what Miroku would do if he knew the truth behind the situation Yasha had gotten himself into. Why did this woman have to be so stubborn and how did I end up with her? Maybe it was fate that I carry her around. Maybe it was atonement for all the bad things he had done. That could be it. The point was they needed to get somewhere fast.

They would be looking everywhere for him. Not just him also her. Kagome being with him had narrowed the search. Now instead of having to find two people in two different places here they were both conveniently together. It was like here you go Kouga we decided to make things easier for you. How about a two for one deal.

When the word got out where she was then all the people that were looking for her would switch to looking for him. That was not good he had never wanted this to happen he wanted to leave her with Lady Kaede. Which amazed him how had she gotten away from her? It was impossible to get something past that woman even he had problems sometimes. Lady Kaede was just too perceptive for her own good sometimes. But this girl didn't seem to have a problem. She had slipped away from her like it had been nothing. Was there something about her? Or was she just that slippery?

Maybe she could be hiding something from him but what good would that do her? Maybe she was a spy. That could be it. A spy it was a logical conclusion, but one that didn't sit well with him. The way she looked at him with those eyes, the way that she had taken Sango's hands, it all amounted to one thing. She was either a really good spy or she was innocent. Then there was also the fact that she was a Higurashi. The name didn't speak to well in her favor but she didn't conduct herself like her father had. One day he found himself thinking that he would like to meet her mother. The idea shocked him. Meet Higurashi's widow that would be a laugh.

So she was now with the rebel group. That made a lot of sense yet no sense at all. She had wanted to get away from Kouga and here she found herself right in the middle of everything.

________-

Kouga frowned pushing himself and the men behind him on. They had to be somewhere. They couldn't have covered so much ground so fast especially carrying two people that would slow them down. So the question was where could they be hiding and what was Kagome doing with the Shinkushikyou of all people? This man Kouga despised yet he had never seen his face, the red death. Now he had Kagome. Who knew what he would do to her. Did he even know who she was? That could be a problem. What if he found out that she was Captain Higurashi's daughter? He was a rebel. If he found out he would kill her. Kagome probably had no idea what she was getting herself into.

___________-

They will think that we'll try and make it to the nearest town so we have to keep going.

Hojo frowned. What the hell was happening? Is this what it felt like to be dead? No they had rescued him hadn't they? Opening his eyes he saw that it was getting dark and that was he was being carried. Looking up he saw that it was Yasha. Why had he come? It was trap. How had they gotten away?

"We have to move. Kouga was there." His voice came out horse and cracked

"I know, everything's going to be ok. Do you think you can walk we have some food. You're probably starving." That would be the best course of action now that Hojo was awake they could stop for a little while just long enough to get some food down him.

"Five minutes," Yasha said taking out what little food he had and giving it to Hojo.

Hojo's mind was still a little fuzzy and it took him a few minutes to realize that there were other people there. First he saw Miroku. Then there was a sound that caught his attention and he turned to look and saw a woman. A very beautiful woman with long black hair and chocolate colored eyes. She was beyond words. Who was she? He had to know.

"Who are you?"

"Ka. Kongyou." She watched to see if he noticed she had made a mistake but he didn't show any signs of knowing. Instead he smiled and introduced himself.

"It's nice to meet you. Hojo. I only wish we could have met under better circumstances."

"So do I." Not only is she beautiful, she has wonderful manners. After they finished eating Hojo sprang to his feet. His legs were a little weak. After all the time that he had spent off his feet it felt good to move them. The little food they had went a long way. He was still hungry but that was a given. Turning he reached out his hand and watched the girl wince as he helped her to her feet. Reaching out his hand he steadied her as she swayed a little. To his surprise he saw that Yasha reached out his hand and pulled her to him and into his arms. Her dress slid up a little and he could see the dark bruise on one of her ankles. Before he could say anything about it, Yasha was walking again. Despite the fact that he was the one carrying the extra weight they had to struggle to keep up with him.

This was more comfortable. Taking a deep breath she let her head rest against the wall of Yasha chest and tried to think that she wasn't a bother. She was actually kind of sleepy it had been along day and now that there was food in her stomach and she felt safe it was almost to much for her.

"Oh no you don't think your going to get off so easy. We have to talk about how stupid you are."

"I am sorry."

"Sorry doesn't cut it when you're messing with people's lives."

"I know it doesn't and I'll find some way to make it up to you."

"I don't know if you can." He said looking straight ahead because he knew if he looked down at her that he would crack and forgive her.

"I can try."

"You can but it won't make any difference. You have to listen to me."

"It's not like."

"It's not like what? When I say something I expect for people to listen and that goes for everyone not just you."

"I understand." She said it like a small child. Like she had when she used to get in trouble for doing something stupid that she knew was wrong. Her father and mother always asked the same question do you understand?

"I don't think that you do."

"What if we hadn't been there? Where would you be? Kouga would have took you. What if we had been caught? Because of you people could have died. I and Miroku could have been dead by now. Instead of one execution there could have easily been three. It was a trap. They were waiting for us. We weren't supposed to get out of there. He didn't know what annoyed him more, the fact that she had put them all in danger or the fact that she had put herself in danger. He would just have to figure it out later.

"I'm sorry my foolishness put you all in danger, I will never disobey you again."

^.^ that's all for now