Yes, before I am about to be burned to death for updating so long and leaving an annoying cliffhanger. I'M SORRY! T.T I'm sorry for updating so very,very,very late! I know you must really abhor me U_U

I hope that I can accomplish this story soon. Thank you for being patient and bearing with me. Q o Q

Disclaimer: I dunts own Inuyasha but if I did...~ Hehehe Sesshy~ * u * (fangirl induced mode)

Chapter 4: Bruises

It was a human or what I think is considered a human. He had long flowing hair, his eyes were piercing. He had this cocky demeanor that radiated off of his being. His eyes landed on me, a shaken form of a human who clung to a basket as a means of protection.

Seriously, how pathetic did I look?

"Byakuya, I didn't know you were into catching young women nowadays." The newcomer addressed and a foul look crept upon my hunter's features. He straightened his stature, seemingly a bit intimidated by the newcomers presence.

"Well, well, I didn't know you were into protecting damsels in distress," I glared at the demon who was known as 'Byakuya, "Koga."

I looked at Koga then at Byakuya, they seemed to be in a heated internal battle. Byakuya took a step back, twigs snapped under his foot. Koga flexed his fingers, his demeanor spoke that he certainly was aching for a fight.

Byakuya launched his set of tentacles towards the both of us. Koga started to hunched in his posture, clearly waiting for an appropriate time to deal a counter attack.

"You get out of here."

I was pulled out of my daze with his mumbled words, "Uh, what?"

"You get out of here. I can't fight properly when you're around." He spoke in a gruff voice and launched into the air, his claws meeting with the tentacles.

I glared at his back, Great. So this is how they tell a lady to get themselves safe. Smooth. Real smooth, dude.

As soon as I was satisfied with my internal banter of the newcomer which is named Koga, I willed myself off the battlefield. My steps were careless, making me stumble quite a number of times before I had the right footing.

"You're not getting away girl!" The enraged voice of Byakuya echoed behind me. The thicket of trees that surrounded me gave a false protection from my pursuer. I swallowed the bile that was rising in my throat, the cold sweat continuously trickling down my brow.

I wonder how long I'm going to survive in this era.

My eyes finally found familiar surroundings and I had a sense of hope that I would be in the village where I had left earlier. My speed lessened as the sense of safety blanketed my being. I was going to be safe. I'm going to live.

Yes, take that you stupid tentacle monster!

But it seemed reality had a sick sense of humor.

My happy thoughts were wiped off of my thoughts when I was thrown to the thicket of large trees, my head colliding to the trunk of one. I fell onto the floor with an agonized moan whilst my vision was filled with black spots.

"You can't outrun me girl." Byakuya's sneer could be heard from his voice. I gritted my teeth in frustration. I seriously needed a weapon.

"You're cheating; of course I can't outrun you. You're not even human!" I cried out, my voice was raspy and hoarse. Maybe it was because of all this beating I've been taking?

"You might want to curb that tongue of yours girl. Or I might just cut it off before Naraku gets you." He spoke and kept his tentacles, choosing to take slow languid steps towards my beaten frame. I propped myself on my elbows, wheezing at the pain my body was experiencing.

I'm betting on more bruises this time.

Byakuya chuckled at my weakened form, he was looming over me. His face held a malicious smile. Ever so slowly he bent down and grasped my hair into his fist, pulling me up quite painfully by the bunched tendrils.

I whimpered at the added pain but nonetheless looked at him in the eye. I wasn't saying I'm not scared in fact if I could sum up my feelings right now, I can honestly say I am terrified and also frustrated at my state of weakness.

"Now that's a good girl, no more running." He chuckled and pulled me up more. I grimaced at the pain but I turned to him and spit on his face, "Screw you demon."

His face scrunched up to a scowl and he banged my head unto the tree's solid trunk, I gritted my teeth in pain. "My patience is slowly running low, girl." He said through gritted teeth and I chuckled, quite lamely in my state. "Hahaha, it's quite good to know I'm getting under your skin. Makes the chase much more fun, ain't it?"

He chuckled, "Quite so but I have come to tire of your antics and I think it would be better for you to be out cold when I give you to Naraku." I glared at him, a surge of energy passing in my gaze. His youki was overpowering, choking me in its vile grasp and with him so near, it was seriously not helping.

"I'll see you try." I grinned, trying to pull a fake bravado and my adversary let out an enraged cry before slamming me, quite harder mind you, unto the tree. Pain rushed through my being, paralyzing me and putting me into a daze. He smirked as his grip on my hair tightened and only a pained whimper escaped my lips.

"You've had your chance on my good side girl. I won't be so forgiving this time." He pulled me up and I stood on unsteady legs. The pain was that much for me.

"I think you've manhandled her enough, Byakuya." Kagome's voice pierced into my hearing and I have never been so grateful to Kami in my entire life. I just hope that she doesn't get me killed in trying to saving me. Then again I don't think Byakuya would want me dead. After all what's good with a dead asset to Naraku, right?

Right.

I could feel the power of Inuyasha's attack heading our way and Byakuya had no choice but to release me, albeit quite reluctantly. I was at the mercy of Inuyasha's attack. I felt all hope drain out of my being as the power was heading towards me.

I was seriously wrong, apparently Byakuya could care less about losing me. After all, he most likely would just tell Naraku I died in battle and am quite useless because I died in a petty crossfire. How amusing is that? I'm sure my colleagues in my place would laugh at how their number one student has been humbled to such a petty adolescent. I would be a laughing stock.

Then again, it's not like they even set foot in a demon infested area where they were pants that look like skirts and men who look effeminate because they have long hair.

I closed my eyes, wishing it to be quick. The darkness was so welcoming and I felt a sense of warmth enveloping me. I reached out to it in my mind and there was a faint whisper in my half-consious world and a vague figure in my mind.

"I'm home, S-"

A smile and the ever so familiar silver hair.

"Who… are you?" My lips moved but no voice was heard and I drowned into oblivion.