Hi Hi
The next chappie
I don't own Inu so here you go.
Echoe Shayne ^.^
Don't Let Her
*~*~*~*~*Lacien ~*~*~*
Hojo ran through the streets till he drew near the meeting place. He had no problem getting in the front door, but soon after that he felt strong hands close around his shoulders as his body was yanked back roughly. Turning his head he looked up at the man on his right.
"State your business here."
"I have been called here by Yasha," he said, trying to rip his arms out of the hold. The adrenaline that had been building up on the run over here had yet to dissipate.
"We heard of no such order you must exit the hall immediately," the larger of the two man said icily looking down at the man in his grasp.
Not liking the answer he started forward. "Yasha!" before he could even finish his first step he felt himself being roughly pulled back.
"Look here we told you that you have to leave," one of men said gruffly, his hand tightening on him.
"Yasha!!" he screamed again. He didn't know what was going on but he knew that Yasha would be the only one that could clear everything up. "Let me go I TOLD YOU!"
"And I told you that I haven't heard such orders," the man said back in a cold voice. Nodding to the other man next to him they started to pull a struggling Hojo toward the door.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Yasha said, his eyes locked on Hojo. The two men relaxed their grip a little bit a the agitated sound of Yashas voice. All three of the them now standing there staring at the man who had just arrived.
"What do you mean what am I doing here?" The bewilderment showed in his voice but Yasha was too wrapped up to hear it. His blood pounded in his ears filling him with adrenaline. What was going on here and why was the simpleton taking so long to answer?
"Don't try my patience. I said what are you doing here?"He could think of several reasons of the top of his head for Hojo to be here and none of them were good. Had something happened to Kagome? Something had to have happened to her why else would he be here.
"What are you talking about? A man came to the house and told me that you needed me here."
"You left her alone!" Someone had come and told him to come here!? Kagome was alone. That was the only thing he could think of.
"Where's the person that told you to come here?"
"I thought he was behind me." Hojo studied the other man. Something was wrong. If Yasha hadn't called for him, suddenly everything fell into place. Kongyou.
___________-
Kagome sat at the table where Hojo had left her. Rising to her feet, she looked at the two people standing in the door. The taller was still panting from his run. Kagome wondered briefly what could have happened for Yasha to suddenly called for Hojo. Before they had left Yasha had told Hojo to stay here and watch her.
Walking up to them she intended to find out what was going on from the messenger who was now standing there his cold eyes fixed on her. They were unnerving and unkind. Opening her mouth to say something she watched a smile spread across Kyoshiro's face. It was a disturbing expression. His eyes were now focused on her and she took an involuntary step back.
"What took you so long?" Kyoshiro said to the man next to him his attention still focused on Kagome.
Panic held her rooted in place as both men looked at her their eye raking over her body making her feel dirty she could only imagine what they were thinking. There had been a knife on the table if only she could get to it. Her mind was urging her on telling her she had to move but her body would hear none of it as she could only stare at the men in front of her.
"You look good Darling." Kyoshiro said taking a step toward her.
"Yeah, good enough to eat." The messenger said his pink tongue darting out of his mouth to lick his lips.
Kyoshiro nodded to the man next to him. He started toward her. The movement in her direction had been just the motivation she needed. Suddenly she could move again, she had to move again. Turning on her heal she started to run, as well as she could run with her hurt ankle. Adrenaline was a wonderful thing it pumped through her body urging her on. She still wasn't fast enough. After a few steps she felt someone shove her from behind. Not able to get to her hands out in time she crashed to the hard floor. The air leaving her chest in a big whoosh, she was dazed. By the time she took a deep breath she felt a pair of hands close around her arm and pull her up into a sitting position. The messengers face was close to hers his hot breath brushing against her cheek. 'Why was this happening to her?'
"Who are you little girl? We know you're not who you pretend to be. Yasha doesn't cart around nobodies."
She wanted him to let go of her, no she needed him to let go of her. Reaching out her hand she tried to push against the man's chest. 'Let go of me' warmth her body suddenly flashed with heat, but just as soon as it had come it left leaving her feeling slightly chilled. It had felt like… how could she describe it, it had felt electric almost. Her eyes still focused on the messenger she couldn't describe or even understand what happened next.
What? Let go of me. The girls had had made contact with him and though he knew she hadn't struck him with any kind of significant force it felt to him like he had been hit by a ton of bricks. The most unnerving thing was her voice it was all around him screaming at him demanding that he let her go. He could hear her clear as day yelling at him to let her go but her mouth wasn't moving.
See if he listened to her though shaking her he tried to get her to quite down. Pain reverberated through his body too much for him to bear and he released her arms falling to the ground wasting no time his arms and legs started to work moving him across the floor quickly till he hit wall and could get no further. He had to get away. Away from that woman
"What the hell are you doing grab her." Kyoshiro looked at his companion who was leaning against the wall his eyes wide but seeing nothing. "Never mind I'll do this myself we don't have time to waste."
Kagome saw him start forward and she crawled back trying to get to her feet, to get to the only weapon that she had at her disposal. All thoughts of what had just happened pushed aside.
Kyoshiro rushed forward he had remembered seeing the girl limping before and his hand closed around her bandaged ankle and he twisted.
Kagome felt pain shoot up her leg, overwhelming pain. Briefly in the back of her mind she registered that there had been a sickening popping sound. Tears coursing down her cheeks, she flailed wildly with her arms. There wasn't time to think of the pain. From the glint in his eyes this was only the beginning. He was enjoying her pain he was drinking it in.
She felt his hands travel up her body stopping at the hem of her dress she heard a rip and felt the cool air as the front of her bodice was torn open.
"What so special about you bitch?" Kyoshiro snapped at her his face drawing near hers.
She reached out her hand thinking maybe it she could touch him. Then the same thing that had happened before might happen again. She had no such luck and her struggles went unfelt.
"I would love to have my way with you right here but I don't think that we have enough time. Plus you're not for me, oh well you're probably already damaged goods anyway. You little tramp." Leaning forward he tired to capture her lips in his but she turned her face and he got her cheek instead.
Kagome brought her hand up hitting him in the side of the head with all her strength. Much to her disappointment he just shook his head and glared at her. She felt the pain as his fist descended on her face. Then it was his face coming toward her again putting her hands up she scratched him feeling flesh give away under her fingers and she knew that she had done some damage. Too bad it had only appeared to anger her captor. She saw him draw his hand back. Closing her eyes she prepared for the blow.
A loud crash filled the room as The door burst open hitting the wall behind it. Opening her eyes Yasha was there. He had already crossed the room Kyoshiros wrist was held in his crushing grip. Then Yasha was picking him up like he was a rag doll and flinging him across the room.
Kagome watched the entire scene she wanted to curl upon herself to hide instead she struggled to a sitting position. Kyoshiro had scrambled to his feet turning to the door in attempts to make and escaped but he hesitated. Shifting her teary vision to the doorway, she saw the reason he had faultured. The door way was blocked Hojo, Miroku and Sango stood there.
~*~*~*
Yasha could feel his muscels bunching in his body the run over here had done nothing for his nerves as he approached the house he was disturbed by the silence he had expected to be met with screams. The silence bit at him more than anything, not wanting to waste time he slammed the door open. He was hit by the smell of fear. It was a smell he knew well. When he saw them his vision tinged red around the edges. Kyoshiro had Kagome pinned to the ground his body holding her in place. His hand was raised to strike her. Not knowing how he moved so fast even for him he crossed the room his fingers closing around Kyoshiros arm giving a little squeeze he felt the man's bone shift under his grip.
Kagome. Her name sounded in his mind filling him with anger Kyoshiro was still on top of her. Not wanting the disgusting man near her he lifted him whipping his arm he flung him into the wall. Taking a few seconds he looked down at Kagome, and felt new rage flood his system. The front of her dress had been ripped and her face was covered with tears and the signs of fresh bruising. He wondered why she hadn't tried to scramble away when he saw her ankle was twisted at an odd angle. A low growl ripped from his throat, and he turned his focus back to the two cowering men.
He didn't have to worry about Kagome right now he could already hear the other members of his group rushing to her they would make sure she was safe. Not even bothering to look at them he barked a command.
"Take her and leave right now."
Sango and Hojo looked at the back of Yasha a little confused, not understanding. But they were going to do as they were told. Hojo picked her up in his arms. It was Miroku who knew what he had meant.
"He doesn't want her to see what he's going to do to them." Miroku said his voice sounding cold as he looked at them with guarded eyes.
~*~*~*~* Kien Naraku's Palace*~*~*~*
Sesshomaru's eyes snapped open as he bolted up from his slumber. What had that been? He had felt it ever so faintly. A flicker of something had disturbed his sleep. Looking around his room he made sure he was alone. There was no one in the room who had disturbed his slumber. It had to be something else.
'What could it have been?' He felt a faint tingle of his senses. Rubbing his hands together he rose from his bed. The door to his room opened and he saw the little toad man who was his servant enter.
"You are awake, Master?"
"Did you not feel it Jaken?" he asked wanting some reassurance that he was not the only who had experienced this brief period of disturbance. The blank expression on his servants face told him everything. The man had felt nothing, not a flicker. He had no clue of what had just happened. "Never mind. Have you anything more about the Tetsusaiga?"
"No I was looking when I heard you wake master."
"Very well then leave me and continue your work." He said in a cold tone he wanted to be alone. He needs to think. That feeling had meant something, something important and he was determined to find out what it was.
Staring off into space he paid no heed to the small man who stood there watching him a few minutes before walking out of his room.
Jaken stood outside the door. Something? A disturbance? He would look into that as well it should please his Master.
_______-
Naraku sat with his eyes closed. He could feel the air, it was charged around him. It was an unforgettable hum that he had never felt before. But he knew what it was. Power. Power that he wanted for himself.
~*~*~*~ Lacien ~*~*~*~
Yasha stared at the two men that were standing in front of him. He could hear the people moving behind him and he waited for them to leave the room. Miroku stood there and he turned his head with a frown.
"You leave too." He growled before turning his attention back to the offenders.
Miroku said nothing. Now was not the time to talk back to Yasha. So he followed the other people that where all ready headed out the door.
Yasha frowned as he looked at them. They looked scared that was good. Kyoshiro was wearing a measured expression, his face he was trying to be brave. The one behind him was leaning against the wall. Briefly he wondered what was wrong with him. The man kept muttering something over and over, but it was too low for even him to hear.
"Which one of you touched her ankle?" he took a step forward. His eyes were flashing in the darkness created by his hood. He was surprised that it wasn't Kyoshiro that answered him, but the man that he didn't know.
"All those that touch her when she doesn't want you to, shall be punished."
"Yes, you're very smart. He cracked his knuckles taking a step toward them. He saw the look in Kyoshiro's eyes and he knew that it had been him. Reaching out he grasped the front of Kyoshiros shirt pulling him close to him. "This is going to be very painful." Then without another word he drew back his fist and hit the man in the face sending him sprawling to the floor. Then he reached down grabbing one of his legs while the other one tried to kick at him. He tightened his grip and twisted. 'Like for like'
Kyoshiro screamed in pain as he looked at the man towering over him. His face was shielded in shadow but he swore he could see his eyes glinting. Then he felt pressure on his other ankle followed by the same excruciating pain as before. He could feel rough hands gripping his upper arms, but he was too consumed by the pain in his lower body.
Yasha frowned, yanking Kyoshiro up by his arms. His claws were digging into the tender flesh leaving small gashes on his arms. 'How dare he touch her.' The thought kept drumming through his mind, while his hands balled into fists that pummeled the man. Lifting Kyoshiro up, he practically threw him into the wall. Hitting it, the man then crashed to the ground next to his friend who as still muttering something over and over appearing unaware of his accomplices plight. Reaching out he picked him up again. Somehow through all the pain, he had managed to stay awake. Placing his hand on either side of his face he looked at him. There were red, bleeding gashes on his face. 'Kagome.' The sight of them angered him and his eyes narrowed before he flicked his wrist and the room was filled with a sickening crack. Removing his hands he let the lifeless body slump to the ground. He looked at the man that was still leaning against the wall. He still appeared to have no idea what was going on. Turning he left the room.
_________-
Miroku looked up as the door opened to reveal Yasha standing there. He quickly entered the door shutting behind him.
"Miroku I left someone in there. He's against the wall. You know what to do. I want him in holding."
Now that business was taken care of, his eyes automatically shifted to Kagome. Crossing the room he growled. Hojo was sitting on the ground holding her propped up against him. For a moment he wanted grab Hojo and Fling him away from Kagome. Another growl escaping his though throat he knelt next to them.
"Go help him," he said, not even bothering to spare Hojo a glance. After a few seconds when he didn't hear him move, he looked up at the man in question who was staring at him. At that, he finally got the point and rose to his feet to make a hasty retreat.
Kagome frowned at his tone. The words that she was about to say slipped away from her as she felt his hand on her. She drew back a little holding the tatters of her dress to herself. The slight movement sent arrows of pain through her leg and she recalled hearing the popping sound and she knew that it was far worse than a sprain.
Tears pouring from her eyes, she tried to be strong, but she couldn't. Sango was next to her and so was Yasha. Yet she couldn't convince herself that she was out of danger.
Yasha cursed under his breath and he took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. Watching as she pulled the garment around herself.
Warmth still lingered on the material that she held around her. Taking a deep breath in attempt to steady herself. She caught his light scent. It comforted her a little and slowly she came back to herself. Turning her full attention to Yasha she was surprised at the worry shining in his golden depths. She tried to smile if only for him, to alleviate some of his troubles but her face hurt and the gesture came out in more of a grimace then a smile.
Sango looked down at the girl she appeared to be in bad shape. Her face was bruised, but more importantly her ankle was broken. She frowned at the thought that they would have to set it.
"Kagome." Yasha said using her name because Sango was the only other person in the room and she knew her true identity. Kagome.
Kagome she loved when he said her name. Not her new name not the one he had pluck from a children's song but the one she had had all her life. She liked the way it sounded coming out of his mouth.
"We're going to have to set your ankle."
She knew what he meant, and it was not something she was looking forward to. She felt Sango move behind her, the woman's firm on her shoulders. Seconds later that was forgotten as she felt Yasha's hands close around her ankle. She bit her lip so as not to cry out.
Sango felt Kagome go lax in her arms and knew she had passed out from the pain. Looking down at her she sighed. At least this way she wouldn't have to feel the pain for a little while.
"I need to get this put in a splint before she wakes up."
Sango nodded, laying the girl gently down before rushing to find Yasha what he had requested.
Yasha wanted to move. He knew if both of them got up and gathered the supplies then everything would go a lot faster. Though at the moment he couldn't bring himself to get up, anger still coursed through his veins. Clenching his hands into fists he heard Sango approach behind him.
__________-
Miroku looked at the man that leaning against wall. Crossing the room he reached pulling the man to his feet. He could feel him shaking underneath his fingers. 'What did Yasha do in there?' he thought looking down at the man that was having trouble holding him self up.
"If you touch her you shall be punished." The man slurred, looking around him wildly. He knew that someone was holding him up. That was fine with him as long as it wasn't her. As long as she was nowhere around him. He could still feel it the electricity running through his body. He looked up at the man that was holding him up. For a second he actually wondered what had happened, but the thought was quickly pushed away.
Miroku was looking down at him. 'Maybe it had been a good thing that he had left the room he wouldn't have wanted to see what had happened in here. An image of Kongyou crying flashed in his mind. Then again maybe he wished he had been there. Even now the thought of what they had done to her, what they would have done to her if they hadn't got there in time. With the thought he shook the man that he was holding, not that it made that much of a difference. He didn't think the man had noticed the rather violent shake. He was mumbling something under his breath. It was the same thing over and over again. None the less it made no sense to him.
Yasha must want to get information out of him. That could be the only explanation. He had no doubt in his mind if Yasha hadn't wanted something from him, then he would be laying on the floor next to his buddy. 'I wonder how he chose which one?' He decided that he would ask him later. He shrugged and headed to the door only to met with Hojo who was leaning against the wall like he wanted nothing more than to dig a hole and hide in it.
"I am supposed to come and help you." Hojo stammered his voice unsure.
This was something Miroku could understand. Yasha would have words with the young boy later, of that there was no doubt. Looking at the boys face he knew that Hojo knew it too.
"Very well. Then run ahead and tell them that I have a traitor that needs to be held for questioning. Make sure that you're not seen. We've already caused enough racket tonight and the last thing that we need right now is to spend the rest of the night trying to avoid the guard because we broke curfew."
Hojo shrunk under Miroku's words. They were treating him like a small child. It was not more then he deserved though he could still she her battered face. Miroku was telling him things that he already knew. But the way that the man said it made him think that Miroku thought he was a fool. Nodding he turned and ran slipping through the shadows. He would show them he would show them all.
__________-
He hadn't been able to let her go. Even now he sat there he had meant to lay he on the only bed in the room and back away but when the moment had come his arms had had a mind of their own and refused to release the fragile young woman from their grasp. Now he sat with leaning against the wall with Kagome nessled against his chest. She moved slightly and wimpered in her sleep. At the sound he tightened his grip just a little to let her know he was there even if she was asleep. She wouldn't be out long he knew. Passing out could only dull the pain for so long.
What was it about her? She drew him in against his better judgement. Still he couldn't let her go. He had rescued his fair share of damsels in distress, and when the time came he had always been able to step back and let go. Maybe it was because in an odd way he was all she had. If anyone knew what it felt like to be alone it was him. Growing up he had never fit in they called him a filthy half breed, some still called him it behind his back he knew. He was looked down upon by the humans with which he had grown up with and the Youki who would tease him calling his mother a whore. Yes he knew what it was like to be the outcast to not fit in. Her situation wasn't the same but she was stuck in an odd limbo where she didn't quite fit either. She was a traitor, a traitor to the humans because she came from a family that had sided with the Youki. She was a traitor to the emperor because she had left.
He knew what would happen if people found out her secret. He knew she would feel the sting of rejection and he wanted to shield her from that.
Everything was blurry when Kagome first opened her eyes. Blinking a few times the dimly lit room came into focus. Pain, her leg felt like it was throbbing and the memory of what had happened earlier in the night came rushing back to her. Shuddering, she felt arms tighten around her midsection. Then she realized that someone was supporting her. Tilting her head back she caught a glimpse of silver hair. Taking comfort in his nearness she turned into him. He was large and imposing compared to her small frame but he did not frighten her. Listening to his heart beat she closed her eyes once more. Letting her mind wonder her thoughts were filled with him. She should have been worried about her leg. She should have been worried about the fact that her face hurt. At the moment she was too worried that now Yasha had something new to hold against her.
"Now I guess you have something new to hold against me." The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. His body tensed beneath her and she instantly wished she could take them back.
So that's what she thinks. Anger filled him. Here she was broken and battered worried that he was going to hold this against her. Looking down at the top of her head he didn't know who he was more mad at. Her for thinking such a ludacis thought in a time like this or himself for giving her reason to think it.
"Nah this time I'll let you off the hook," he said, thankful when his words got a smile.
Kagomes eyes went to the window, it was still dark outside. Was this a night that would never end? It felt like everything was stretching out forever. Hearing the door open she turned to look at Miroku who entered with Hojo a few steps behind him. Twisting she saw that Sango was leaning against the wall her head bent as if she was asleep.
"Yasha they want you there to question the prisoner first thing in the morning." Miroku said raising and eyebrow he took in the situation before him. Yasha was sitting on the bed with Kongyou cradled in his lap his arms loosely around her. It was an odd position to see Yasha in, but the man appeared to be completely comfortable.
"Good I will go and see him just before we leave."
"We're leaving so soon? I would have thought that with." he nodded in the direction of Kongyou "Her ankle I mean it's broken isn't it?"
"Yeah it is. I will take her to Jinenji."
"But that's pretty far away." Miroku said not sure if it was wise to push her so fast, so soon.
"I know it is." He said shooting Miroku a look to tell him, he was through with the conversation.
__________-
Miroku sat in the darkness. He knew that everyone was asleep. Well almost everyone Yasha was still awake. He was stewing. So many thoughts were rushing through his head that he couldn't control it. One in particular bugged him, what the man had said.
*~*~*~*~
Miroku held the man's arms as they marched him down through the underground corridors. A blindfold had been placed on the man. Not that it made much difference he was still muttering lost in his own little world. Approaching the cells to find that one was open, he saw that Hojo must have done his job and informed the guards he would be coming. Taking the blindfold off the man he flung him into the waiting cell.
Standing there watching him. The man was looking around as if for a second he was actually worried where he was.
"All those who touch her shall be punished."
What had gone on in that room? Yasha must have done something really terrible. This guy looked like he was about to lose his mind. Briefly he entertained the idea of asking the man just what had happened but thought better of it. Something's were just better left unsaid. The man looked wild his eyes darting around the room, his frame shaking ever so slightly. Without warning he threw himself against the bars.
"I will warn you, I saw you take her before. Don't let her touch you." Backing away from the man Miroku looked down at him in disgust. "Don't let her touch you." The mans said again like he couldn't stress the importance of his statement enough.
~*~*~*~*
Miroku should have been able to shrug it off, but the encounter plagued him. It was nothing more than the ramblings of a half crazed man still he couldn't shake the uneasiness is rose up in him. Don't let her touch you. Her who? Kongyou, was the only her he could be referring to. So what had really happened? What had happened before they had got there?
Shifting his attention he looked at Yasha who was watching him in the darkness. Should he tell him?
"Yasha?"
"What?"
"You know that man. That man that I took down for holding tonight." He waited. Yasha said nothing but he knew that he had the other mans attention so he continued on. "Well what did you do to him?"
"I didn't do anything to him." He knew what Miroku was talking about though when he had arrived the man had already been huddled against the wall muttering under his breath. He had thought it was strange but hadn't really given it much thought other than its general oddness.
"He said something strange. He said that all those who touch her shall be punished."
Yasha said nothing. He focused on his friend through the darkness taking in his uneasy expression. Yes the man had something like that back at the house.
"I thought that was because of something he had seen you do. Then he said something else when I was leaving. He said that he would warn me. He said don't let her touch you."
Yasha frowned there had been only one person in the room that the man could be talking about Kagome. So what had happened? Something had to have happened, but he couldn't imagine Kagome doing anything to the man, after all if she had know how to defend herself then she wouldn't be laying her right now with a broken ankle now would she. Still Miroku continued talking almost like he was trying to understanding his own thoughts.
"Was he talking about? Kongyou? What does that mean? The man was scared he was scared out of his wits Yasha. It was like he was hanging on to his sanity by a thread, but what could she have done to get such a reaction of the man?"
"I don't know what she could have done." Yasha said looking down at the woman next to him. Looking at her she appeared so fragile, it was hard to imagine he doing anything to cause such a reaction.
"How did you choose? Which one you left for questioning and which on you…you know"
"Kyoshiro was the one that touched her. When I came in the room and saw him I already knew he was going to die" Yasha said without a thought. There had been no choice. He had known when he burst into the door and had seen Kagome trapped there with him above her. Kyoshiro had known it too Yasha had seen the fear in his eyes. The fear that had told Yasha Kyoshiro was also the one responsible for her ankle. He had also known because of that, the man would not live through the night.
"Do you think that was the reason?" Miroku asked
"Yeah that must have been it." Yasha said this just to ease the other mans mind. The truth was he didn't believe it. Something had happened, but as of right now he had no way of knowing. He would just have to wait till he could ask Kagome.
"That reminds me, why I always try to stay on your good side."
_________-
This time when Kagome awoke the sun was up.
"So you're finally awake?" Sango said from the side of her.
Sitting up her hand went to her head. "I wish I hadn't."
Sango could almost laugh at the other woman's response.
Looking around, Kagome saw that they were alone. Maybe they had always been alone maybe she had imagined waking up last night and being in Yasha's arms. The thought sent a chill down her spine she could still feel the ghost of his arms around her.
Sango watched the change in Kagomes deep brown eyes as she looked around the room. She know what, or rather who Kagome was looking for and for an instant her heart stopped. "They had stuff to take care of this morning."
_________-
Yasha walked down the narrow earthen tunnel with three men trailing behind him. Along the walls at irregular intervals lanterns hung on large iron rods that had been driven into the soil walls. Finally they came to chamber that held a few cells. Stopping in front of the only occupied one he could see the man from the night before. The prisoner didn't looked much better from the last time Yasha had seen him. He was huddled in the corner of the cell his frame shaking slightly while he stared off into space with vacant eyes. Even now showing no sign that he knew or even cared they were there.
Nodding his head Yasha signaled for them to open the door.
Stepping in, he stood right in front of the man, not that it made that much of a difference. Reaching his hand out, he pulled the man to his feet.
"Has he been like this all night?"
"As far as I know he has. He stopped talking to himself about an hour ago." The man to his right said.
"Did anyone listen to what he was saying?"
"We couldn't make it out." He informed him. The prisoner had been a mess when Miroku had delivered him last night. Looking at him now he was still half out of his mind. Looking back and forth between the prisoner and Yasha the young guard shivered. He didn't want to imagine what had happened last night. He knew that Kyoshiro had betrayed their ranks and this was his accomplice. For his betrayal Kyoshiro had lost his life, and it appeared this man had lost his life.
"Very well." Yasha said taking in the man before him once more, noting his vacant eyes. He would get nothing out of him. At least not today the man was still too far gone to even comprehend the situation he had found himself in. "He will not talk today." Dropping the prisoner to the ground Yasha was not surprised when the man made no attempts to soften his landing. As soon as hit the ground his body folded up on itself back into the the huddled position he had been in when they had entered the room.
"You're not even going to try?"
"Why should I try? I am not a cruel person; even if I were to try and beat the information out of him, it would do no good. I have neither the time nor the energy to waste." Pivoting on his heel, he turned his back on the man that had curled into a ball on the floor.
The two guards exchanged glances. The one who had spoken taking one last lingering look at the prisoner on the ground before locking the door his gaze still fixed on the shivering man.
Hearing only of the men turn to follow him he glanced to his side confirming his suspicions. His back still to the scene he spoke a warning to the lingering man.
"Aki, while he acts like this, he will not be touched."
Aki frowned at Yasha's words. He was not able to take his eyes off the man that was in front of him. Why should they be so nice to him? He couldn't see why he was walking away from the man now. It would be better to get the information out of him sooner than later.
Not hearing the man that he was speaking to move to join them, Yasha felt his anger flare. He wasn't in a very good mood and this man wasn't doing anything to help it. As if looking for a new way to aggravate him, the man's voice called out.
"Why shouldn't we beat the information out of him? They would do it, if they got the chance. They have killed us for less." Anger was coursing through him he couldn't understand the man's logic.
"Look closely at what you have just said and you will see that you have answered your own question." Yasha said starting to walk back down the path again, before his short fuse got the better of him. He was pleased when Aki followed.
Aki walked slowly behind them down the path. What the hell was he talking about? 'Don't touch him while he's like this? I already said the answer?' Fixing his attention on the man that had spoken those words he frowned. 'How had he answered his own question?'
"I have some things that need to be taken care of after last night. But I would like word sent to me as soon as the man talks."
"It will be done."
It will be done. Just look at them. They follow whatever that man says and why? 'What I said?' Why shouldn't we beat the information out of him? They would do it to us if they got the chance. They have killed us for less. His own words came back to him.
Yasha frowned as they opened the door and entered the house. He knew Miroku and Hojo were waiting in the next room for him. Nodding to the three men he signaled his leave. Just as he was about to make his way in the other room, Aki called him back.
"If we do what they do to us, then there we are no different from them."
Yasha could have smiled at what the man said, but he didn't. Instead he looked at the man that must have been a few years older than him.
"What I meant was that if you do something that is against my orders, I will be the one doing the beating. You got that?" Seeing the man nod a little, he continued on his way into the other room.
Aki stood there as the other man left the room. 'I understand now. Why they look up to you, I mean. He helps in his own way' with that thought, he smiled. Thankful, someone had been there to stop him before he had done something stupid.
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Miroku looked up as Yasha entered the room. Rising to his feet, he was ready to go. Taking a quick glance to his side, he saw that Hojo wasn't. The young man wearily got to his feet not looking either of them in the eye. It was the same all the way back to where they were staying. As Miroku enter the house Yasha hung back, his eyes trained on Hojo.
"Hojo don't think that I'm going to let you off that easy. I would like to have a word with you." His displeasure showed in his voice. Reaching out he pulled the other man into the narrow space between the two houses. Listening he made sure that they were relatively alone before he spoke. "We need to discuss your stupidity."
"Do you think that I don't know that? You think that I'm happy about what happened?" Hojo asked, not able to look the other man in the eye.
"I know that you're not. What I would like to know is why you did what you did." He shook him a little.
"A man showed up. He looked like he had been running. He knew my name and he said that you wanted me at the hall. So I left."
Yasha could feel the tension building in his muscles, his hands closing around Hojos shoulders he pressed him against the wall feeling a growl rise in his thought. "Your even more of a moron then I gave you credit for. When I give you and order it is absolute. I placed her in your care."
Hojos wanted to say something. His pride wanted him to say something. To lash out at the man standing in front of him. Still he couldn't bring himself to say anything the words caught in his throat. He had gotten a glimpse of Kongyou earlier. He face was bruised and swollen, he ankle broken and set. It could have all been avoided.
"When I ask you to do something I expect it to be done. When I tell you to watch over Kongyou it meant that you were to stay by her side till we returned and you couldn't even do that. All you had to do was do what you were told. Use your head if I had needed you I wouldn't have sent some stranger to fetch you."
"I never."
"You never what? I don't want to hear it. Do you know what could have happened to her?" He could feel his control slipping away from him. The anger that he had felt last night came rushing back to him. Pushing the Hojo away from him the man stumbled. "Get out of my sight I can't stand to look at you now."
"I…" shutting his mouth he said nothing moving past Yasha as quickly as he could he scrambled into the house.
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Kagome frowned as they started on their way. They weren't very far out of the city and once again she was in a predicament where she had to be carried around. She would have protested, but knew better. There was no way that she would be able to walk on her foot. So Yasha was carrying her piggy back style.
The terrible thing was that every step he took moved her foot and sent tiny jolts of pain up her leg. Not wanting to say anything, she bit her lip.
Yasha frowned. Kagome was in pain. He could hear her intake of breath whenever she bounced a little. It was quite a ways to Jinjis and with the pace that they were going, it would take them a while to get there.
Then he could smell it drifting in the air. Not too far from them, was the smell of wolf. 'Kouga' They couldn't pick up the pace because of Kagome. Even at this pace ever step her took caused he pain.
Stopping he looked at Miroku.
"I want you to take Kongyou and continue on your way."
Miroku looked at him confused, but moved to do what he had said. Good old Miroku, it was one of the things he liked the best about his friend he knew when to ask question and when to act.
Kagome could feel the tension in the air she had sensed something was off from the tone in Yashas voice. Taking in his rugged features she wondered exactly what the problem was. Grimacing she was shuffled between the two men. What was going on? If he had just told them to continue on their way what was he going to do."
Her hand reaching out for him she was frightened panice seized her and she felt helpless to keep it at bay.
"What are you doing? Why do you mean? Continue on our way?" She questioned not liking the fact that it looked like he was just going to dump them.
Bringing his attention back to Kagome he nodded.
"I have a wolf to skin."
That's it for now reviews would be so much appreciated ::laughs:: I will one day resort to begging.