I live. Sorry the real world happened to me. I hate when that happens but here's the next chapter hope you like it.

::Inu Yasha:: Wench

I don't own Inu Yasha.

Fresh Rain

~*~*~* Toll Village ~*~*

Souta looked out the window at the empty streets wavering in front of him. Rising his hand to touch his cheek he drew it back feeling the moisture clinging to his finger tips it was only then he realized he was crying. Looking down at his hand he shook his head, trying to drive away the tears that seamed to have a mind of their own. He hated them, tears were for the weak. More like what he hated was that he had no control over them they fell down his cheeks despite his inner protests. And with them came bitterness.

"This is the last time that I cry for you." The words escaped his mouth sounding hallow even to his own ears. He wanted to believe those words he wanted them to be true but still some part of him, the part of him that was still a child clung to the memory of his sister, His sister who had gone off and left not only her responsibilities but him behind. Closing his eyes he leaned against the cool glass trying to drive his thoughts away. But even the cool shock of the glass against his warm skin did nothing to distract him, as his hand formed into tight fists at his sides. He was so wrapped up in his own thoughts he almost didn't hear the door opening behind him. He knew who it would be without even bothering to look up.

"Souta."

Hearing his mother say his name there was almost a desperate note to it. 'its too late mother' the thought filtered threw his mind as he drew himself upright once more schooling his face into an emotionless mask before turning around.

Lady Higurashi tried not to wince as her son turned around but the truth was it broke her heart to see him like this so guarded and hidden. It brought to her mind memories she wished to stay forgotten. This is what she had always been afraid of. Looking at him now he reminded her so much of his father. But even still even the great Higurashi had a smile he had reserved just for her. What she wouldn't give to see her son smile up at her if even just once. But those to were hidden away, Kagome had been the only one who had been able to break down his barriers and now that she was gone so was his smile. Bowing her head as he walked by the soft sound of the door told her that she was alone.

~*~*~*Jenenji's house ~*~*~*

Yasha's eyes narrowed as the boys words sunk in. With them came a wave of annoyance but more strongly then that desperation though he would never admit it to anyone. Pushing away from the wall he had been leaning against he struggled not to shake the boy for more information. At the moment he wanted nothing more then to grab the boy by the shoulders and jiggle lose any information he might be holding back. Though by the looks of him the boy might not even notice, as his hands were already trembling slightly at his sides.

Shippo tried not to shake but the composure that he had been struggling to gather on the way here was slowly melting away from him. Involuntarily he took a step back his hands clasping at his vest to keep them from visibly shaking. Yasha was looking at him with an intensity that scared him the golden eyes flashing from within the shadows of his hood.

Coming around the corner Miroku was met with the tense scene. He couldn't see Yasha's face but had known the man long enough to tell from his posture he was livid. Even if he hadn't been able to tell by that the shaking young child would have given it away.

"What's going on here?" he said both to relive some of the tension as well as see if he could find the cause.

Yasha didn't even bother to give the man at his side a glance all his attention was trained on the shivering boy in front of him. 'my servant is otherwise employed.' The words played out in his mind. He tried to think of a different explanation. There had to be another reason but no matter how he tried to rationalize it the only explanation he could come up with was that someone had come and taken her. Someone had taken his Kagome away and he hadn't been there to protect her.

"Shippo was just about to tell me what happened to Kongyou. Weren't you Shippo." There was no mistaking his tone, it had not been a question it had been a demand.

Shippo had thought the situation had been unnerving with just Yasha. He didn't know what it was he had hoped for. Maybe he had hoped for Miroku to take some pity on him, and relieve some of the pressure. Instead he now had two people staring at him.

He had thought Miroku would have calmed the other man but it appeared they were both attached to the human girl. As things were going right now Shippo honestly feared the two menacing figures might do something to him.

Anger bubbled up in Miroku as he looked down at the small child.

"What happened to her you better start.." he took a step forward but a hand on his chest held him in place. Turning to attention to Yasha he knew that the situation would be taken care of.

"Ok spill it kid what happened and why isn't she with you?" Yasha felt more in control now but that could change as any second. His muscles had tightened in anticipation he wanted answers and he wanted them now.

Shippo stared up at the two men. It was on the tip of his tongue to repeat his earlier words but right now that wouldn't have gone over to well, not that it had gone over well in the first place Who was this human and why did every one seam so upset that she had wondered away. Because she didn't wonder away a small voice in the back of his mind said. Still it was a concept that He didn't understand humans were replaceable you broke or lost one and you could just go and get another one. Why was this one so special?

Shippo was just standing there his large eyes staring up at him. Didn't the kid understand he didn't have the time for this?

"I don't have time for this now tell me what happened?" Yasha said take a step forward.

"they took her."

"Who and what way?" The words came from his mouth in a half snarl as he looked down upon the small child.

"I don't know who. There was screaming and then she was gone." That was all he could give the man. Seeing as he wasn't willing to tell them he had ran away. That he had behaved like a frightened little child.

"I'll go and get Sango." Miroku said turning back to the house.

"No I'll go alone you'll only slow me down I need to get to her as soon as possible."

"But your going.."

"Did you hear me I said that I would go alone I want her back in my possession by night fall."

Possession the word struck him as an odd way to describe getting her back. Turning his head to the side he wished Yasha didn't have to hood of his cloak pulled up. He wanted to see the expression on his face but right now it was hidden to him.

"why do you always have to be so pig headed about things its not like you're the only one here that cares about Kongyou."

"She is my responsibility and I will take care of it."

Responsibility Miroku had heard Yasha refer to Kongyou as his responsibility before but never had he sounded so cold so detached.

He sounded cold. He could tell that by the look on Mioku's face but he didn't have time to sit here and talk he didn't have time to wait for them to follow even now he was losing time. Precious seconds were slipping by and they were seconds he wouldn't be able to get back. If something happened to her what would he do? The urgency gripped him making it hard for him to even stand here.

"I Have to leave now. I have to get her back."

The coldness Miroku had expected to hear in his voice wasn't there. Instead there was almost a note of desperation in his friends' voice. Taking a deep breath he looked down at the small fox child.

"Go."

Shippo didn't know if the man was talking to him but he suspected that he wasn't. There was a rush of air and they were alone. He wanted to look over his shoulder to see Yasha's retreating form but his pride would not allow him. Instead he looked down at his feet. The little padded toes, that reminded him that he didn't even have enough concentration right now to hold him in complete human form. He couldn't even bring himself to look up at Miroku. So instead he turned away from him hiding his face and his shame.

_________-

Yasha Followed Kagomes light scent to a clearing where Shippo and her must have been. He had expected the stench of wolf to be all over the place but to his prize there was a strange freshness in the air with just a hint of electricity. It was a familiar scent, one that normally lingered after a storm. Right now in the sunny meadow the scent was oddly out of place. Searching the sky he could see storm clouds rolling in on the horizon but nothing to warrant a smell this strong.

His eyes combing the meadow he looked for any sign of a struggle, but none caught his attention. It was as if she had vanished. Lifting his head to the sky he took a deep breath.

"Kagome." With her name on his lips he took off in a dead sprint toward the forest that lay beyond. Following the crisp freshness mingled lightly with her sent. But soon even the scent faded leaving only the crisp smell hanging in the air. Stopping he looked around what had happened here how could her sent just be gone?

Looking at the ground in front of him he searched for any sign someone had passed this way recently. The golden and red leaves that had drifted off the trees lay pristinely on the ground not showing any sign of disturbance. As if to mock him a slight breeze started disturbing the peacefulness of the wood. The smell of rain hung on the air turning his head in the direction it had come from he saw the dark clouds on the horizon had quickly gained ground from the last time he had looked up. Just great rain that's just what I need He thought sarcastically searching the ground once more for anything that might be out of place but nothing stood out.

___________-

Kagura could feel the moisture in the air. The rain was still some distance away but the wind was carrying it quickly. Looking around the small clearing she could feel the static in the air. It teased at her senses the slight twinge of power still lingering in the air. Turning to the trees she smiled a crooked smiled before retreating to the cover of the trees.

_____________-

Kagome fought to keep her eyes open as the scenery flew past her in a blur. Her head was pounding and try as she might consciousness kept trying to slip away from her. Her mind was foggy and unclear, it almost felt like she had been drugged. Who was to say she hadn't been drugged. Just add getting drugged to the things going wrong in my life thought sarcastically to herself. If only she knew where she was but in all her life she had only known the streets of the city that she had lived in, and even those she didn't know well.

She wanted to yell out to call for someone to come and save her. But she didn't dare she had more sense then that. Who ever had her would wanted her quite and they would no doubt silence he with violent means if need be. 'Yasha' his name flashed threw her mind bringing with it a ray of hope. The hope was short lived how did she expect the man to find her when she herself had no clue where she was?

"I think she's waking up." A gruff voice said drawing her attention away from her own thoughts but that isn't what frightened her it was the reply.

"Then well have to make sure she stays asleep wont we?"

She hadn't screamed for fear they would hurt her but hearing them talk they planned on hurting her anyway. Drawing in a deep breath she let out a blood curling screaming in hopes someone other then her captors would hear her. Their words had filled her with panic looking around she tried to tell who had said them but before she could her world was filled with brief pain and she collapsed back into darkness.

___________-

This time when she awoke she was no longer moving but laying on the ground. The cold dirt beneath her was littered with rocks that poked at her skin making it uncomfortable to lay there. Still she didn't make a sound not wanting her captors to know she had woken. Thankfully this time her head was more clear than it had been the last time. Her eyes still closed she wanted to open them yet she was afraid at the same time. Listening to see if any one was around her she heard nothing. Only an odd silence, no it wasn't silence there was the raspy sound of breathing like someone was sleeping. Rain the soft repetitive sound reached her ears so that was why they had stopped. Yet the ground she was on was dry. A cave or over hang she thought risking opening one eye.

For a moment she saw only darkness then slowly the stone wall came into focus. Yes a cave the inside of it was dark except for the low glow of a dying fire that cast eerie shadows on the walls, but did nothing to warm her as she was too far away from it. The raspy almost snoring sound came from the huge lump stationed not too far into the mouth of the cave. Outside she could see the raging storm as if to prove how bad the weather was a flash of lightening filled the cavernous room with a harsh blue light.

Her shoulders were aching. Moving her wrists against the binding on them it did nothing to help with her comfort. Shifting she tried to be as quite as possible. Her feet were not tied and she suspected it was because they would be able to catch her without any problems. There was no way she would be able to make it past the man by the mouth of the cave without waking him. Shifting once again she prepared to get to her feet this was her golden opportunity if she didn't try now then when the rain stopped they would be one their way and she would never get another chance.

It was now or never shifting into a crouching position she stood working her way around the edge of the room trying to stay in the darkness. Reaching the edge of the light she had no choice now. Stepping into it she continued on her way looking at the ground so as not to stumble or make any noise with a misplaced step. She could feel the wind on her face and with it the sweet moister that signaled her freedom was just a few footsteps away.

'See it was easier then you thought.' She thought to herself taking another careful step forward yet something still felt wrong.

Listening to her surroundings one more time she paused. Silence the raspy breathing that had moments ago filled the room was gone.

"You had best return to your place."

The words stopped her cold in her tracks but at the same time filled her with urgency. Without a thought to her self she took off at a dead sprint headlong into the rain. She didn't make it very far, the next thing she knew she was being flung back into the cave like a rag doll her body hitting the ground and skidding across the rough floor the jagged edges of rocks tarring at the skin of her hands and legs as she came to an abrupt stop.

"I don't want to hurt you… but that doesn't mean I won't."

Looking up she could see the hulk of a figure moving toward her though his face was cloaked in shadow.

"Stay away from her." The words echoed against the walls. The sound pulled her attention away from her captor to the cloaked man standing in the entrance of the cave.

"And if I don't?" The hulking man in front of her snapped before turning to give his full attention to the cloaked figure.

"If you don't then you're just going to have to face the consequences."

Kagome's heart leapt into her throat and she had to chock back tears. She would know that voice anywhere. Struggling to her knees she watched as Yasha rushed forward hands on the sword hilt at his side. She had always wanted to see him fight thought right now something was off she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Somehow Yasha's movements seemed less graceful than normal. The large man parried his blow throwing him back a few feet.

Yasha frowned as he was forced to take a knee to recover from the blow. This guy was strong. His knuckles tightening on the hilt oh his sword he balanced on the tip of his toe ready to move in any direction.

"Somehow I thought the person who protected this one would be stronger."

If you only knew the half of it Yasha thought he needed to act, if he waited to be acted upon then this over grown lump would over power him with sheer force. Pivoting on his toe he launched in the direction opposite of Kagome the last thing he needed was for her to accidentally get in the way. Knowing her though it wouldn't be an accident she would rush in blindly thinking she could help in someway.

The over size oaf wasn't as fast as him but at the last second managed to turn bringing his weapon up once again to block though this time the block was weaker then before. Knowing the man's game he took a step back not wanting him to throw him back again. there was a crackle of energy catching a faint golden glow out of the corner of his eye he frowned. 'Nothing ever can be easy can it' The energy flowed from the man in a torment of golden light coming from his mouth?

Kagome blinked as she saw the light emanating from the large man the air was filled with electricity. The hair on the back of her neck stood on edge. Yasha was in trouble. Her father had never the coddling type but right now stories he had told her came rushing to her mind. Well he would never called them stories he had labeled them as history lessons. Lessons about a time when all Demons had enormous power. Though now over time their powers had been dwindling. But he had always told her that some had never lost their power, and they were the most dangerous. Seeing the man in front of her she knew… she knew they were in deep trouble.

Yasha lunged forward his sword swinging in a tight arch. Then all could see was the man's short sword coming down on him there wasn't time to change his course not as he was now. Instead all he could do was put up his arm turning he head he caught his lips between his teeth biting down so as not scream out in pain he wouldn't give the man in front of him the pleasure.

Luckily or unluckily the blade that had struck him was dull though he knew the wound was probably down to the bone. Now he could feel the man wiggle the blade before it finally gave way and with it a rush of blood. He could feel the hot liquid running down his arm and with it his precious time. Drawing his arm into his side he took in the full situation. Looking for anything he could use to his advantage. Evaluating the situation he took in the mans two drawn weapons the short sword that was covered with his blood and a medium sized staff that appeared to be made out of metal yet he still wielded it around with ease if not with grace.

In his moments of contemplation the man had taken the opportunity to advance on him with his sword again though this time he was more prepared. The metal scraped against each other as he keep his eyes open for an attack from the staff the man held in his other hand. Then he watched as the man drew his other arm back ready to swing the staff. Dropping his shoulder he rammed it into the man hearing the slight ting as he knew their swords were no longer locked wasting no time he swung forward with his weapon catching the man in the side. Jumping back he was ready for the man to swing at him as their blades struck again with a ringing sound.

Yasha frowned as he strained against the huge hulk of a man. He had been able to block the blow but with only his good arm he had been forced to the ground. Sweat poured off his forehead running into his eyes. He couldn't keep this up much longer this fight had to end soon.

Kagome looked around the cave in the dimness there leaning against on corner of the room she saw it a bow and laying on the ground next to it a quiver of arrows running to them it was only then that she remembered the little fact that her hands were still tied behind he back. Sitting down again she reached for the arrows pulling one out from the leather quiver her fingers gliding down the shaft till she came to the shark point that picked her finger. With and intake of breath she began working at the cloth that bound her wrists not paying heed she nicked her hands a few more times before the material gave away. Not bothering to even grab a different arrow she knocked the one in her hands.

"Hey Ugly.

Hearing Kagomes Voice Yasha could almost hit the girl what the hell did she think she was doing? Though both to his relief and his slight disappointment, the man didn't bother to give Kagome the time of day. He could feel his muscles tremble with fatigue as he was forced to give up a fraction of centimeter.

Much to her irritation the hulking man didn't even bother to turn. "Did you hear ne baldy." The words echoed off the walls of the cave. This time the man turned toward her, and he didn't look all too happy with her words. Apparently she had just hit a sore spot.

"What did you call me?" Monten could handle being called many things he could even ignore the girl when she had called him ugly. Though right now he didn't care if she was supposed to be taken back alive and intact no one got away with calling him Baldy.

Letting the arrow go she winced as it went way off course hitting the side of the cave wall before clattering to the ground. Stumbling she struggled to knock another arrow but the bolt fell from her numb fingers. Reaching for another one she managed to work it into place as the brute started to take a step toward her.

"The names Monten wench."

The hulk in front of him that Yasha now knew was Monten had just made one grave mistake. In turning his back the man had just sealed his fate. Though Yasha hated to do it he knew of no other way. Using his one god arm he the thrust his sword threw his large body.

'Wench, why does everyone call me that?.' Letting go of the string the arrow left this time finding its mark. Monten was already falling to the ground she could see the tip of Yasha's sword protruding from his chest. Before her eyes the man fell to the ground dark blood pooling around him. Yasha, panic filled her as she saw he was also slumped on the ground even from over here she could hear his labored breathing. Rushing to his side she was frightened by all the blood. It was spilling from a wound in his arm. Standing she ran over to the strip of material that she had cut off her wrists before returning to Yasha's side. Pulling back his sleeve she gasped at the sight. There was a jagged cut that was still oozing blood. Wrapping it tightly she didn't think there was anything else she could do. The material looked familiar to her and it only took her a moment to realize it was the same grey as her under dress. The jerks had torn her only dress to make her bindings.

Yasha struggled to keep his head up. There was darkness around the edge of his vision. He had to stop the blood some how. Looking around his eyes where drawn to the last glowing embers of the fire.

"Kagome." The words left his mouth sounding strained even to his own ears.

His voice was weak and she leaned forward.

"Your going to have to sear it or the bleeding wont stop."

She knew what he meant, but she couldn't do something like this. Looking around she had never seen so much blood in her life. Taking in a deep breath she tried to calm herself, Yasha needed her right now. The deep breath turned out to be a mistake as a coppery smell almost made her gage. "I can't do that."

Of course he thought sarcastically " Just bring me some of the embers I'll take care of the rest. For a few seconds he thought she was going to disobey him but with a backward glance he watched as she got up. Walking over to the fire before coming back with stick that looked like it had been used to stir the fire. Reaching out with his good hand he was annoyed when she didn't hand him the stick right away.

She could do this she could. If she wanted to stay around Yasha she had to be able to handle this.

"I can do it."

Wincing he stretched out his arm there wasn't time to argue with her and if she wanted to try it had to be done anyway he felt her hand close around his upper forearm and slight tightening of the blood soaked cloth before it was pulled free. There was a searing heat and vision swam with stars it only lasted a few seconds.

Kagome gagged as the smell of burnt flesh reached her nose. Pulling back the burning stick she was relived to see that the would was no longer bleeding. Looking at the material that used to be her dress laying on the ground it was already soaked threw with blood. Reaching down she tore away the rest of the bottom hem doing her best to even out the hem. Trying it around the wound she felt his head lull against her shoulder filling her with panic.

"Yasha" no response "Yasha look at me."

There was a desperateion in her voice and it pained him to hear it. Even so he couldn't manage to lift his head. His eyes closed and he completely relaxed against her. Taking in her sweet smell mixed with the stench of blood.

She felt his body relax . Reaching down she shook him but still got no responds.. Tears flooded her vision and she reached down pulling back his hood.

What she saw shocked her a man with black hair was resting his head against her shoulder, Yet she knew it was still Yasha he had the same curve to his jaw with his mouth was set in a familiar scowl. Pulling his body closer to her she did the only thing that she could do. She cried.

Well that's it sorry that this took way to long but hey you know how the real world goes. I should be starting regular updates again. Let me know what you thought.