Chapter 31 - Shadows

Inu Yasha didn't notice when night had fallen. He kept on running.

Glancing around at his team he saw all their eyes were wide and determined. With the presence of Hao and Yue, they were making much better time.

Looking ahead, Inu Yasha noted how close they were to the Western Manor. His brother's castle reached up and touched the shadowy clouds.

'Almost there.'

Kiome and Kiara stumbled away from each other as the samurai attacked. Kiara cringed, and everything was blurry when she opened her eyes. She shook her head to clear her vision. If they were going to win this, they would have to beat him soon. She wouldn't last like this much longer; she was losing too much blood.

Kiara whipped around and catching her sister's gaze, nodded resolutely. Kiara hurled four ninja stars at the man; aiming them specifically so that he wouldn't be able to dodge easily. While he moved to dodge, Kiara took a few steps closer to him and ducked down, sweeping her leg around to trip him while at the same time striking him with her sword.

The samurai jerked forward a bit when he felt a thin sword cut into his leg. He dodged a shuriken just as he felt another lodge itself in his arm. Growling he looked down toward the redhead. She would pay for this. As he moved to attack her, he forgot about her sister.

Kiome took advantage of the samurai's turned back and launched herself at him. She plunged her sword through his heart. Panting, she held it there and looked for her sister. To her bewilderment, Kiara was no where near the samurai.

Kiome felt the samurai turning toward her slowly. Scowling, she pulled out a kunai and swiped it quickly across his neck.

The samurai grunted and his eyes glowed red. Kiome watched triumphantly as he lumbered and fell to his knees. She twisted her sword within him and felt him tense. She pulled it out of him and wiping it on his clothing, sheathed it again. The samurai fell to the ground, defeated.

Kiome glanced around for her sister and found her fighting off the lower demons sluggishly.

Kiome joined her sister in fighting off the demons. They'd realized their master's defeat and were closing in on the girls again.

Kiome noticed her sister's slowed movements and clenched her teeth.

She looked up at the darkened sky and squinted, trying to locate the castle. She spotted it far to her left and frowned.

It would be a mission to take her sister back.

Naraku smirked to himself. His plan was flawless. Kagome was trapped within a circle of demons and no one but him knew. Everyone else still saw her fighting off demons. No one would notice that it was just an image that he'd created to act as her replacement until he got her.

He smirked down at the trapped girl. She was glancing around her cage desperately; looking for an escape. Of course, she wouldn't find one. He wouldn't let her go now. He'd just gotten hold of her. He decided to play with her a little.

He sent a few demons forth and watched as her face hardened. She fought the demons and it was not long before they were gone. Naraku observed calmly as she tried to blast a hole through the walls that he'd created. A sliver of light poured through the hole and her face brightened. Her face fell when Naraku clogged the hole. He built up a thick layer of demons around the circumference of the circle. She wouldn't get away so easily.

He sent stronger demons into the ring and she fought them off just as easily. 'Hmm… Sesshomaru certainly prepared her for this.'

Naraku decided to tire her out and he sent in a continuous wave of demons from all sides. As soon as she fought one off, another would appear behind her.

It didn't seem to be working. She still fought with the same ferocity as when he'd first captured her.

Suddenly, the sharp smell of human blood assaulted his nose. There was a small cut on her forearm; clearly he'd been mistaken. She was tired. Her fighting was becoming careless.

Leering down, Naraku commanded the demons to stop. A tentacle shot toward her and slapped her down to the ground again before quickly retreating.

This was getting fun.

Kagome lay breathing heavily and peering helplessly around her. What had done that?

She heard a laugh reverberated around the circle. "Hello miko. It's been far too long."

Kagome swallowed her fear and angrily retorted, "Not long enough."

Another laugh.

"No one knows that I have you. All they see is you fighting demons… a decoy that I myself thought up of."

"He'll come for me. I know it," Kagome snapped.

"Oh, but he won't. He has no idea that you are in danger my dear Kagome."

Kagome stood up and got into a fighting stance. Glaring around her cage she saw nothing but shadows. Where was he?

Tentacles whipped out of the darkness and lashed at her quicker than she could react. Kagome cringed; that would leave a bruise.

Focussing, she created a barrier around her so that any tentacles that tried to attack would be purified.

An idea struck her and strengthening her barrier, she began to walk toward the edge of the circle. Just as she'd expected, the demons disintegrated when they made contact with her shield.

She broke through the wall grinning but her smile faded when she saw that she was not out. She'd just entered another circle.

Kagome fought to keep her calm but it was slowly slipping away. She let her shield fade away as she scanned her prison.

Something grazed her foot and looking down; Kagome saw tentacles slithering toward her from every angle.

A scream escaped her.

Sesshomaru was getting bored of this. It was too simple. Every enemy that came at him fell with a single swipe of his sword. It was as if they weren't really meant to do any damage; as if they were mere decoys.

A faint cry reached his ears.

'Kagome!'

Sesshomaru turned abruptly to check on her. His eyes picked through the demons and she was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he'd wandered too far from her.

Sesshomaru hurriedly cut down the demons in his way and made his way toward the sound of the scream.

He saw Kagome fighting off demons. She appeared to be fine. Sighing with relief, Sesshomaru continued to fight off demons.

Kagura lifted herself far above the battlegrounds. Where was Inu Yasha? Why hadn't he arrived yet?

She had helped Naraku capture Kagome. She'd stalled as long as she could but after about an hour, Naraku had gotten impatient. She'd helped him lead her away from her comrades and into the midst of the attacking forces. After that, Naraku had taken over.

If only Kagome could remember from which direction she'd come… if only she'd turn back and go that way, she'd find safety again and she could escape Naraku.

She had gone through the walls of her enclosure once, but she'd gone the wrong way. If she kept going that way, she'd find herself in the heart of Naraku's army.

Kagura looked away from Naraku's tormenting of the girl. It was revolting.

She looked into the distance; the direction in which Inu Yasha should be approaching.

'Hurry up hanyou.'

Remain calm.

Take a deep breath.

Summon your power.

Remember that all demons will fall to your powers.

There's no need to panic—

Searing pain interrupted the words that had begun to resonate within her head. Clutching her head, Kagome fell to her knees. Her fingers fisted in her hair and she cried out.

Naraku looked on with interest as the girl lost her composure.

Naraku's eyes widened. The girl probably didn't even notice, but she'd sucked all the air within his circle away. The air was ripe with anticipation.

This was not good. He began retreating but he hadn't gotten far when it happened.

The air exploded with her power. Demons all around her crumbled into nothingness, leaving the ones behind them vulnerable to her power.

Naraku darted away as fast as he possible could. He escaped with half of his body missing. Looking back, he felt her power melt away and recede. There was a wide empty ring. The miko stood in the centre; glaring at him. Her eyes glowing pink, she whipped out her bow and arrow. Naraku found himself staring at the tip of the arrow.

Narrowing his eyes, Naraku disappeared into the crowd and kept on going until he was at the outskirts of his force.

Summoning Kagura, he cursed the miko silently.

He needed a better plan to capture her.

Sesshomaru's eyes were wide with shock as he watched the scene unfold before him. Kagome hadn't been okay; the whole time Naraku had had her in his hands. Sesshomaru cursed himself for being so oblivious. He waited until the pinkish light faded away into the darkness. In an instant, he was in front of her. Grabbing her hand, he observed as she exhaled and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her irises had returned to their warm chocolate colour.

A shaky smile graced her features when she caught sight of Sesshomaru. Kagome threw her arms around the taiyoukai's neck. "I was so scared," she mumbled into his neck.

Sesshomaru sensed Naraku's demons surging forward to fill the empty space the miko had created and he returned her hug.

Catching Aki's gaze over Kagome's shoulder, Sesshomaru nodded at her and was gone; along with the miko.

Naraku glared down at the events below from Kagura's feather. Kagome had gotten away from him virtually unscathed. The few scratches that he'd managed to land had been healed with her purification powers. Sesshomaru had appeared by her side immediately and whisked her away. Naraku examined the rest of the battlefield and scowled. His forces still far outnumbered Sesshomaru's, but most of his squad leaders had been defeated and there was no one to guide the lesser demons. Not to mention that half his human regiments had switched sides and killed off the other half.

"I'm putting you in charge," he growled.

Kagura nodded wordlessly.

"You stay here and keep these fools distracted while I repair my body."

"And then what?"

"Then I will return," Naraku snapped. "I will get the girl, even if I have to hunt down and kill Sesshomaru."

With that, he was gone, leaving Kagura to stare down at the battle. The sun would rise in a few hours and the battle appeared to be at a stalemate. Neither side appeared to be winning or losing. Although it was true that more of Naraku's demons were being struck down, it was also true that Naraku had a massive force. At the rate that Sesshomaru's army was fighting it would take days if not weeks to defeat them all.

Kagura's mind drifted to Kanna's army. Her force must be at least twice the size of Kagura's initial force if not more.

'Inu Yasha and that sword of his sure would help clear away these demons a little quicker,' peering into the dark woods, Kagura absentmindedly drifted her feather over it. Bending the winds in her favour, she listened for the hanyou and his slight crew. After several moments of straining her ears, she heard the undoubted array of heavy footfalls and the scrunching of dried leaves underfoot.

'Hmm… they seem to be about a half day's journey away… They should arrive a little after dawn tomorrow morning.'

Lady Aki scowled at the oncoming demons. There were so many. How could they possibly defeat so many? From what Sesshomaru had told her, the remaining two lords and ladies should be arriving soon. They would help defeat them. It was just a matter of when they would reach the Western Manor.

Glancing around her, Aki saw the wary looks on the faces of the soldiers.

'Hurry up. The soldiers will tire soon.'

Arrows were fired into the approaching mass continuously. Aki's brow furrowed. They were wasting arrows.

Jin hurried up along side Aki and said, "These would be more helpful." Firing her own arrows, she watched their white trails cut through the demons as easily as a finger trailing through shallow water. "Where's Kagome? Surely she could help with this."

"She's with Sesshomaru."

Jin's eyes darted to Aki's face, "What happened?"

"Naraku had her… Sesshomaru probably wants to make sure that she's okay."

Nodding, Jin sent a blade of purification energy into the masses. They were getting closer.

"Here we go again."

Kiara and Kiome stared for a moment. The demons around them were surging toward the castle.

"What happened?" Kiara wondered.

"I don't know, but this could be our chance to get closer to the castle! Come on. Let's go!" Kiome responded. Grabbing her sister's hand, they ran in the general direction the crowd was moving. Ducking and dodging they went until the demons stopped and they ran into a tall demon.

The demon turned and snarled down at them.

Kiome let go of Kiara's hand. "We're surrounded again," she pointed out.

Black spots decorated Kiara's vision but she shook her head and clenched her teeth. Grimacing, she drew her swords and got into battle stance.

The whole ordeal had shaken her. For a moment, she'd wanted to return home and curl up in her bed at home and never come out. Feeling Sesshomaru's strong arms holding her tightly made her feel better though. His figure emanated a feeling of safety. His very presence calmed her jumpy nerves.

Kagome let go of him and glanced around at her surroundings. They were no longer on the battlefield. They were in the forest. Kagome looked questioningly up at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru was frowning down at her. "Are you sure you're okay?" he finally managed to say.

Kagome nodded, "I'm fine… Why did you bring us here?"

Sesshomaru sighed, unwilling to admit that she'd scared him, "Perhaps you shouldn't…" Seeing her growing pout he trailed off.

"That wasn't my fault in any way! I'm fine Sesshomaru. You can't make me stop fighting. I won't!"

The demon sighed again, "I had a feeling you would say that." He looked around the clearing and walked Kagome to the edge. "At least rest for a little while, Naraku retreated."

"He what?"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "Don't worry, I'm sure he'll be back soon."

The two found a tree and sat down beneath it. Kagome leaned against Sesshomaru and closed her eyes. Within moments, she had dozed off.

Sesshomaru kissed her forehead and then rested his head against the tree trunk. It wasn't a matter of if he was coming back; it was a matter of when he was coming back.

A/N) So many scene changes! :o I hope I didn't miss any.