DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the canon characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Sunrise, Viz and all other respective copyright owners. I do not lay claim to these characters in any way, shape or form.

Author's note: Sorry about last month. I didn't take my laptop on holiday with me, so I had to do a bit of catching up last weekend.


Chapter 27

Mayu made no reply. Kagome craned her neck closer, fighting down her gorge. The sight brought her no relief. The girl was covered in burns and bruises. Bile stung her throat. Even for the Raiju, this was just...

"Bastard." The word gritted out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

"Aw, she a friend of yours?" Hiten snickered. The glint in his eyes sickened her even more than Mayu's injuries.

Inuyasha couldn't keep the shock from his face. "You put a kid down there?"

"Hey, don't worry. They haven't done anything."

"Th-they?" Kagome stammered.

Hiten nodded. His eyes glittered with anticipation. "Oh, I'm afraid they're a little shy, Avatar. But don't worry. You'll be meeting them soon enough."

Manten backed him up with a nauseating chuckle. "Oh yes."

His laughter only deepened her suspicions. Her stomach sank. She was too sickened even to speak.

Inuyasha's shoulders tightened. "You-"

"Tch, save your breath, Mutt. You're disturbing our guest."

Mayu let out a groan. Kagome sneaked a glance at her. She hadn't moved from the spot but her left eyelid was starting to flutter.

Hiten caught their exchange with a smirk. "See? No real harm done." She could have kicked him straight into the pit. He waved his hand towards the cage. "How about a little visit?"

Manten bundled her under his arm and strode towards the followed as close as he'd allow. Her stomach quivered as they neared the edge. Fortunately, he stopped well back from it. There was no way he'd let her slip through his fingers.

Mayu raised her head at their approach. Her right eye was still swollen shut. Her good eye widened with recognition. She squirmed closer to the bars.

"Kagome?"

"Kagome, eh?" Hiten gave Inuyasha a pointed glance.

Inuyasha didn't take the bait. His gaze was still fixed on Mayu. "What the hell did you-"

"Oh, nothing permanent. No sense in wasting a healthy young firebender, right?"

Inuyasha's face darkened. "You better be shitting me."

"Tch. Spare me your bleeding heart," Hiten scoffed. "Just be glad you're not joining her."

Mayu watched their argument with a bleary eye. It narrowed as she focused on Hiten. "Raiju." No other word could have been as foul on her lips.

"Oh, hey there, kid." Hiten gave her a mocking wave. "Had a nice nap?"

Mayu gave him a withering stare. She held it for a good ten seconds before she croaked out a reply. "Let her go."

Hiten answered her with a laugh. "Oh? You've got guts, brat. I'll give you that much."

Mayu didn't back down. "I said, let her go."

Manten snorted. "Silence!" He gave Hiten a hopeful glance. "Shall I teach her some respect, brother?"

"Nah," Hiten scoffed. "She'll learn fast enough."

Inuyasha's scowl grew even darker. "Just what the fuck are you-"

"Patience, Mutt. Patience." Hiten waved him down. He turned back to Mayu. "So, you're the Avatar's little friend, huh? Thought she only just got here."

"Avatar?" Mayu squinted at Kagome. "She's just a waterbender."

"Oh really?" Hiten gave a mirthless laugh. "You peasants must have shit between the ears as well as behind."

Mayu shook her head. "The Avatar's dead."

"Oh?" Hiten pointed towards Kagome. "Looks pretty lively to me."

"Shi- they'd know," she insisted. "They always do."

"Heh. Fancy that." Hiten let out a chuckle that made her skin crawl. "Guess there's only one way to find out then?"

"Like hell you will," Inuyasha spat.

"Tch. Quit your yapping, Mutt. Unless you'd like to join them after all?" He flexed his fingers. "No sense in leaving things half-done, right?" The back of Kagome's neck prickled as sparks seared the air.

"There's no taming spirits," Inuyasha insisted. His own fists began to curl. She shot him a warning glance.

"Heh," Hiten lifted his chin. "Guess you and Mummy dearest would know a thing or two about that."

Inuyasha's glare burned into him like a brand. "Shut the fuck up."

"Oh, do pardon me." Hiten snickered. "Fancy forgetting my manners like that! I ought to show the lady the respect she deserves." He gave her a moment's consideration. "Now, what did the old man call her again? The dog's-"

"You-" Inuyasha almost choked on the word. His eyes seared with hatred. A low growl rose from his throat.

Hiten answered him with a laugh. "That all you got to say for her?"

Inuyasha was too furious to even speak. It was all he could do not to burst into flames.

Hiten made an insufferable shrug. Triumph flashed in his eyes. "Well, I guess that says more than enough."

Kagome's fists were as tight as Inuyasha's. Hiten's arrogance was thick enough to choke could Inuyasha stand this? If her limbs were free she'd have throttled him by now. She fixed him with an acid glare.

"Why you - your own brother's-"

"Stay out of it, bitch," Hiten spat. She flinched at the venom in his eyes. "Manten's nothing like that freak," he muttered.

Manten nodded. "Yes, Brother." Gratitude shone in his eyes.

"Tch." Mayu curled her lip at the pair of them. "It's not like they give a shit."

Hiten whipped out a punch. Flames burst across the cage's bars. Mayu shrank back with a shriek.

"Speak when you're spoken to, brat." Hiten's fist was still aflame. He brandished it in warning. "Got it?"

Mayu could only cringe in reply. Kagome's face burned with fury. "Why you - she's a child!"

"Tch, so are you," Hiten retorted. "Still put me through more than enough shit already."

"Oh yeah?" She steeled her jaw as her hands clutched tighter. "Let her go or-"

"Threatening me?" He heaved a mock sigh. "Avatar. Please."

"Let. Her. Go."

"Oh?" Hiten weighed her words for a few moments. His face spread into a slow grin. "Well, if you insist."

Kagome was struck by a sudden chill. Her nails bit into her palms."You wouldn't-"

"Oh, I sure would." He laid his hand on the winch. He gave Mayu a mocking wave. "Hard luck, kid."

"Kagome... " Mayu couldn't keep the whimper out of her voice. She shrank back against the bars as Hiten's fingers curled around the handle.

Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. "You better not-"

Hiten slammed the winch gear into reverse. The chains screamed over their voices. Kagome lunged for Hitenas the cage hurtled into the pit.

"No!"

Manten held her fast. Her legs lashed at the air. He dragged her away before she could land a single blow.

"Bastards!"

Inuyasha whirled on Manten with blazing claws. He didn't even have time to shield himself. He yelped as the flames lashed across his face.

"Manten!"

Hiten's arm whipped towards Inuyasha. He threw himself aside. Lightning seared his shadow.

Hiten circled for another strike. Inuyasha scrambled to his feet, only to be met with Hiten's razor stare.

"Bastard."

He unleashed the bolt with a yell. Inuyasha ducked into a roll. He came up right behind Manten.

"Ugh! Are you fu-"

Hiten shot out another strike. Manten shrieked as the bolt sizzled past his face. He hurled Kagome aside and scurried for cover.

She hurtled towards the pit with a scream. The darkness rushed up to claim her. She squeezed her eyes shut. A sudden wind stung her ears. Something yanked her back.

Her scream broke into a yelp. She stumbled back and slumped against her rescuer. Her head spun as she gasped for breath.

"Inuyasha... "

He pulled her flush to his chest. Hiten whirled on them with a snarl. His fingers were poised to strike. One look at Kagome stayed his hand.

"Damn you... "

"Drop your hands." Inuyasha's voice was as taut as a bowstring.

Hiten didn't move. He stared at Inuyasha in blatant disbelief. "What are y-"

"Don't move." His free hand blazed into flame. The other stayed close around her throat. It took all her willpower just to keep her breath steady.

Hiten's eyes narrowed. "You have got to be shitting me." He still didn't make a move.

Inuyasha let out a brief laugh. His voice just about held steady. "Wanna bet?"

Hiten scoffed at that. He raised his hand.

"I said don't move." Inuyasha's fist flared brighter.

"I don't have time for your shit, Mutt." Hiten flexed his fingers. Lightning crackled in his palm. "Hand over the Avatar."

"No way in-"

Hiten lunged straight for him. Lightning split the air. There was only one way to go.

"Inuyasha!"

Kagome's warning broke into a scream. Inuyasha sprang back without so much as a glance over his shoulder. They plummeted towards the cage with their hearts in their throats.

Inuyasha kicked out both burst from his boots. Their fall slowed for a heartbeat. He hurled a punch towards the wall. It was just enough to sway their course. He reached out and made a grab for the chain.

He caught it with a grunt. The cage swung like a lantern. His grip held fast. He set his teeth against the strain and glanced at her over his shoulder.

"Hold on."

She swallowed the urge to point out the obvious. Not when he was the only thing between her and ordinary human would have had their shoulder yanked from its socket. She gave him a nod.

Mayu could only gape at them. "What the-"

"Stay put, kid," Inuyasha gritted."We're getting you out."

Mayu's mouth gaped even wider. "How?"

It was a fair question. After all, it wasn't like Inuyasha had any hands to spare. She shot him a questioning look.

He answered her with a sigh. "You can't metalbend, right?"

She couldn't hold back a sigh of her own. "Now you're figuring that out?"

"Hey." Uncertainty flickered across his face. "Can she-"

"One move and you're going down."

Hiten glowered down at them with crackling fists. His face was even more monstrous than Manten's. The only thing staying his hand was his own greed.

Inuyasha cursed him under his shot her a desperate glance. It was almost enough to douse her anger.

"No."

His eyes widened. "I thought Kikyou-"

"No." She swallowed. There was no use in lying. "I don't - she won't-"

The cage gave a sudden lurch. She shrieked as Inuyasha tightened his grip. He turned to her with an apology in his eyes.

"I'm gonna need both hands."

"Wha-"

She yelped as he hefted her closer to his face. He gripped her tunic between his teeth and scruffed her like a pup. She spluttered in disbelief.

"What're you-"

Inuyasha let go of the chain. They plummeted a few giddy feet. He broke their fall with a short burst of flame. He landed in a crouch on the cage's roof.

"Inuyasha!"

He clung to the cage while it steadied itself. She dangled helplessly from his mouth. Once the cage settled, he released his bite with a muffled scoff and grabbed her with his left hand. His right still clung to the cage. He tapped the roof with his foot.

"You still with us, kid?"

"Uh, yeah?" Mayu's voice was shaky but sure.

Inuyasha gave her a nod. He turned back to Kagome.

"Keep still, okay?"

"Um, okay?"

He fixed her with a stare. She met it with as much calmness as she could muster. She sure wasn't going to argue with him right now. He let out a breath.

"Stay as clear as you can."

Mayu shrank back with a nod. Inuyasha lit up his free hand. He stared at the flames, keeping his breath as steady as possible. They narrowed into a wavering blade. It took all his concentration just to hold it steady. It would have to do.

"Gonna need both hands again."

Kagome swallowed a gulp. "Okay."

He let go of her tunic and set her down as carefully as he could lay still as he wriggled towards the edge of the cage. Manten was all but spitting flames. Inuyasha paid him no mind. He reached down and grasped the nearest bar.

"You-"

Sparks crackled overhead. Manten loomed on the edge of laid a hand on his arm.

"Wait."

Inuyasha swung himself down single-handed. He set his teeth and reached towards the cage door. The iron glowed like an ember as he held his blade to the lock.

"Damn him," Manten growled. His hands flared up in fury.

Mayu shrank back further as the lock began to warp. Inuyasha clung on with grim determination. The heat didn't even bring a wince to his face. Anyone else would have seared their hand to the bone.

"Shoot hi-"

"No."

Manten gaped at Hiten. His eyes were still fixed on Inuyasha. Whatever Manten glimpsed in them was enough to make him think twice. She swallowed. It would be only a matter of time before his temper gave way.

"Ready?"

Mayu gave Inuyasha a nod. She wriggled a little closer. He steadied his grip on the bars. He extinguished his blade and wrenched the door open.

"Gotcha."

Mayu gasped as he grabbed her by the tunic. He hauled her out of the cage and swung them back up to the roof. He turned back to Kagome and reached for her shoulder.

"Re-"

Lightning split the darkness. Only his instincts saved them. He leapt clear of the cage a heartbeat before the bolt found its mark.

They plunged into the pit with a storm in their wake. Kagome gasped as she caught a glimmer of water below them. Inuyasha kicked out to slow their fall. He cursed as a fireball burst above their heads. He fixed his eyes on the ground and readied himself for their landing.

He let out another burst as the water rushed up to meet them. Flames rippled over its surface. She let out another gasp as he landed atop a large rock.

Inuyasha breathed an audible sigh. Her chest heaved as she fought to regain her bearings. Even Mayu was lost for words. He gave them a good few moments to refill their lungs. He took a deep sniff before setting them both down.

"What now?" Mayu asked.

Inuyasha didn't reply. He took another sniff while his eyes scanned the darkness. He froze at once.

"Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha stayed motionless. He didn't even let out a breath. She squinted into the gloom, trying to make out the danger. Her curiosity was answered by a low growl. One far deeper than Inuyasha's.

She flinched against him. Another growl came from the darkness. Twin lights flared above them.

"Wha-"

A hideous screech echoed off the rocks. Another set of eyes blinked into view. And another. She tried to scuffle backwards. Her effort barely bought her an inch.

"Inuyasha... "

"Don't."

One of the shadows shifted closer. It drifted into a solid form as it padded through the water. Lurid eyes burned above a long, sharp snout. A slender body weaved through the inky tails trailed in its wake. Recognition dawned on her like a punch to the gut. She sucked in a shaky breath.

Mayu's eyes widened. "Wait. Are those-"

"Foxes," Inuyasha confirmed. His voice was little more than a whisper. His ears shrank back against his skull as the spirit took another step towards them. "Damn them... " he muttered under his breath.

Kagome could only stare. "Wha... what's wrong with them?" Her stomach shivered. As if the answer wasn't plain enough.

He let out a mirthless laugh. "What do you think?"


Constructive criticism is very welcome!

I update once a month.