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 this one took so long. September and October have been very busy months.


Chapter 29

"Mayu!" Satoru choked back a sob. A few moments passed before he managed to speak again. "You okay?"

Mayu kept on staring. Her face was torn between relief and worry. "How did you-"

"Li, I mean, uh, Shippou helped us."

"Us?"

"There's... others." Satoru's voice wavered on the word.

"Others?" Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. "How many?"

A screech came from behind the archway. Even Inuyasha flinched. Shippou let out a gasp.

"Wh-what's that?" Satoru's voice trembled.

Kagome stifled a wince. She sneaked a glance at Inuyasha. He shook his head. Now wasn't the time to open that barrel of eels. She forced a smile.

"It's okay. They can't reach us."

"Th-they?" Shippou squeaked.

"More spirits." Inuyasha somehow kept his voice steady. "Just small fry."

"Who're you calling small fry?" Shippou retorted. "If you're such a big deal, why don't you sort them out? Or would that be too scarwy for the poor widdle-"

"Keh." Inuyasha's face darkened. "Like I'd-"

Kagome sighed."It's okay, Shippou. He's... he's with me."

"... with you?"

"Yeah." Her reply came with only the slightest of pauses.

Shippou answered her with a far longer one. There were a few whispers between him and Satoru before he answered her again.

"You sure you're okay down there?"

"I'm fine," she nodded.

Shippou didn't reply. She swallowed another sigh.

"I can explain. Later."

"Hey. Who do you think we're here for?" Mayu puffed out her chest, daring him to challenge her.

"Me?"Satoru was nothing short of bewildered."You shouldn't have-"

"Tch, idiot. You're the one who got caught."

"Uh, so did you," Shippou put in.

Mayu pouted. "Hey, it's not like you tried to stop me."

Kagome gave a polite cough."So, how'd you find us, Shippou?"

"Oh it wasn't hard to sniff you out. Especially not with him around." He stumbled into a guilty pause. "Uh, no offense."

"Keh." Inuyasha was far from amused. "So, you going to show us the way out or what?"

Shippou gave another pause. She swore there was a draught. When he spoke again, his voice was sharper.

"You sound pretty sure of that, huh?"

Inuyasha snorted. "Oh, come on. You ain't going to leave your friends in this shithole."

"Good job we're not friends then." He let the bitterness hang in the air.

"Shippou." Kagome somehow kept her voice level. "He's not going to hurt us. I promise."

"But-"

"Hey, I'm a waterbender." She offered him a smile. "Right?"

"A waterbender?"

She could picture Satoru's jaw dropping. She swallowed a nervous giggle. Just as well she'd only told a fraction of the truth. The reality might be enough to knock him out cold.

There were a few more whispers before Shippou answered her again.

"I'll be right down."

"Don't." Inuyasha's voice was as sharp as his claws.

"But you said-"

"We can meet further up. It's safer." He nodded towards the spirits.

Kagome followed his gaze. A tempest of shadows raged behind the gate. The sight alone was enough to make her shudder. This place was hard enough on Inuyasha. There was no telling what effect it would have on an actual spirit. She returned the nod.

"He's right. It'll be safer."

"Kagome. I'm a spirit," Shippou sighed.

That was more than reason enough. She swallowed the urge to sigh. They'd both have to face the truth sooner or later. For now it was all she could do to get everyone out alive.

"I know, Shippou. But this really isn't-"

"You ain't going anywhere, brat."

The stranger's voice was raw with loathing. All eyes shot back to the grate. Inuyasha tensed. Kagome raised her hand before he could summon his flames.

"Who's there?"

Scuffles and whispers came from above. They were cut off by a knowing cough.

"Step aside, boys. I'll handle him."

Kagome kept on staring. "Who are you?"

"I'll ask the questions here, girl." The stranger gave another pause. "And don't even think about trying any shit on me."

"Keh." Inuyasha lifted his chin, as if he could somehow look down on the man. "Big words for someone who won't even show their face."

The stranger gave a humourless laugh. "Don't get cute with me, you little shit. You're as Fire Nation as those bastards upstairs."

Inuyasha's mouth twisted into a sneer. "You're-"

"It's okay." Kagome raised her palms to ward off the inevitable disaster. "He's with me."

"And who might you be?"

Well, that was a fair question. Satoru already knew more than enough. A half-truth would do for now.

"A friend."

"Oh?" The stranger's voice was leaden with disbelief. "And what would a friend to spirits be doing with the likes of him?"

Inuyasha wrinkled his nose at the grate. "Keh, what about it, old man?"

"I don't recall asking you, brat," he retorted.

Kagome bristled at his tone. Yet she couldn't blame him for asking. Anyone who caught so much as a glance of Inuyasha was bound to have questions. Especially if they'd caught on that he was Fire Nation. She bit back her anger and squared her shoulders.

"He's with us now."

Her voice was calm and sure. Her nerves were anything but. This could be their only path to safety. This could be suicide. Either way, Inuyasha had long lost his chance to turn on them. The only way Hiten would take him back was with his head on a pike.

"He's one of them," the stranger spat.

"A firebender?" Mayu frowned.

"A Spider." The word was poison on his tongue.

Mayu's frown became a pout. "He still saved us."

The man gave a snort. "Saved his own sorry arse, more like it."

Inuyasha readied another retort. Kagome stopped him with her outstretched hand.

"He's not with them." Her voice somehow held fast. "Not any more."

The stranger's laugh was as hollow as the cavern. "Is he now?"

Kagome steadied her temper. She still had another tack to try. "You think the spirits would let one of Hiten's friends in here?"

"And what would you know of spirits, girl?"

"I know Shippou."

"Shippou knows plenty of folk." His voice was unshaken. "Some better than others."

"How about you let him speak for himself?"

"Tch," the man scoffed. "Not like he'll say much different."

There was a moment's muttering before Shippou spoke.

"Kagome?"

Kagome gave him a smile. "The Shrine Tree let him in, right?"

"Well, yeah, but... "

Her smile wavered. "But?"

"I... I don't know, Kagome," Shippou admitted. "I mean... well. You heard what Katashi said."

Katashi, huh. Well, she'd certainly had her fill of him. She fixed her smile and held her temper.

"And what did the Shrine Tree have to say?"

"I-" Shippou's voice stumbled on the word. He scuffled closer to the bars. His eyes were almost glowing in the darkness. "Are you really okay?" he whispered.

"Of course. I'm-"

"Leave her," Katashi spat."She's made her choice."

"But-"

"Leave her." There was no mistaking the edge in his voice.

"It's okay, Shippou." Kagome forced a brave face. "We'll see you soon. I promise."

"O-okay." He wavered on the word. "See you, Kagome."

"Tch." Katashi somehow poured an ocean of scorn into one little scoff."Don't expect me to stay for the funeral."

Kagome's smile began to crack. "Well, I don't see you-"

"Keh." Inuyasha turned his back on the grate. "Some help you are. Go dig your own grave, you old fart."

"Same to you, brat."

Katashi's footsteps tramped away from the grate. Satoru and Shippou scurried after him. Satoru mumbled something that might have been an apology.

"Forget it," Mayu replied. Her face closed as she turned away from them. "Guess he's okay, huh," she muttered to herself.

"Keh, just leave the old fart to rot. I'll find the surface soon enough. 'Sides, it's not hard to track down his stink." Inuyasha backed his words with a sniff.

Kagome's lips quirked. Well, Katashi certainly wasn't a great loss. If only she didn't have to leave the boys with him. She shooed her doubts away and gave Mayu a smile.

"We'll find them. It can't be too far."

Mayu shrugged. "Sure." Her voice was flat as a board.

Kagome put her smile away. Well, there'd be plenty of time to talk things out later. First things first. She cleared her throat and turned a hopeful gaze on Inuyasha.

"Um, could you-"

"Right."

He lit up his fist and strode over to her. His scowl didn't shift but his shoulders were a little less tight. That eased some of her own tension. To be honest, she was more comfortable around him than Katashi. Should she be shaking her head or laughing? She'd taken the plunge, all right.

He hunkered down beside her and narrowed his flames into a blade. It came to him easier than last time. He grasped the chain trailing from her right ankle in his free hand and got to work.

Mayu watched him from the corner of her eye. He carried on without raising his gaze. She didn't even grumble, despite the worry tugging at her mouth. The sight was oddly reassuring. Another knot of tension loosened inside her. Katashi was no great loss, indeed. They'd find their own way.


It was some time before anyone made another attempt at conversation. The walk alone took more than enough energy. It was much easier going without the chains but her shackles still dragged at her ankles. She shushed her body's complaints and pressed on. It couldn't be that much further.

Not that the others were having an easy time of it. Mayu was all but sleepwalking at this point. If she'd had any energy - and a good deal less sense - she'd have offered her a piggyback. Not that she'd accept one any time soon. She covered her stumbles with muttered curses.

Inuyasha's pace was near as dogged as her own. His breath hung heavier than usual, despite their brief rest. His footsteps were still a touch him for a lift was out of the question. If his jaw got any tighter his teeth would crack.

She'd even caught him rubbing at his temple a couple of times. He snatched his hand away as soon as he sensed her gaze. She was wise enough not to point it out. Keeping going was all that mattered for now. Actions would serve her better than words.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden flare of brightness. She blinked and squinted towards the end of the tunnel. Twin braziers glowed before another archway. She stumbled straight into Inuyasha's back as he ground to a halt.

"Inu-"

He hushed her with a glare. His ears strained towards the archway. They were already starting to flatten. She stood on tiptoe to get a better view. The space between the pillars was pitch black, despite the braziers' brightness. Her stomach shivered.

"What's-"

"Quiet."

He turned another glare on her. She held it without flinching. There was a challenge in his eyes.

"What?"

She blinked in reply. His lip curled. She wasn't getting out of this. Fair enough.

"Why are they-"

"Why are they what?"

His voice was as hard as his eyes. She moistened her throat and pressed on.

"The Oasis, that night, all this... I don't understand." She shook her head. "I mean, why are they after you?"

"Keh." He turned back to the archway. He still didn't take another step. "Why indeed?" His voice was flat.

"Did... " She gathered a breath and voiced her thoughts. "Did something-"

"No." He kept his eyes on the arch.

"Sorry." She still couldn't stop herself. "I really am. I didn't know about your mo-"

He whirled on her with a glare. "What?"

His eyes stopped her dead. The pain alone was enough to silence her. Even Hiten hadn't wounded him this deeply.

"N-nothing," she stammered.

He wrinkled his nose. "Bullshit."

She swallowed. "Sorry. Did I-"

"This ain't got shit to do with her."

His eyes dared her to say another word. Not that she needed to. They were even rawer than his voice. She couldn't tear her own gaze away. Nor could she stop her careless tongue.

"Then what-"

"She ain't here." His words were final.

She swallowed. She'd walked right into that pit. She fumbled for an apology. "I'm sorry. I didn't-"

"Keh. She ain't dead."

His voice brought no reassurance. His face was leaden. Her own must have been full of questions. He answered them with a sigh.

"She just... ain't here," he said it with a certainty that gutted her. "None of your business, anyway."

"I'm sorry." That was woefully inadequate. That was all that came to her. How could she even begin?

"Why?" There was no sharpness in his voice this time.

"I-"

"Uh, guys?" Mayu broke in. She pointed towards the archway. "Sorry, but-"

Their gazes snapped back to the gateway. The shadows swirled before them. Every hair on her body prickled. This was no place for an argument. This was no place for any of them. The sooner they got going the better.

"I- nevermind." She shook her doubts from her head. "I shouldn't have - let's just keep going, okay?"

She made a start towards the braziers. Something dragged at her leg. She glanced down at her ankle. Nothing was caught on her shackle. She forced down her nerves. That was all it was. Nerves.

She tried another step. Her foot was glued to the arms clung stubbornly to her sides. Her legs were granite. She gulped down the panic rising in her chest.

"Inuyasha... "

He shot her a pointed scowl. "What?"

"I can't-"

They were blinded by a sudden flash. The braziers snuffed out like candles. Kagome yelped as something yanked her off her feet. She was dragged through the air with a scream.

"Kagome!"

Her flight ground to a sudden halt. Her protests were forced from her lungs. Her limbs were enthralled. She was pinned to the wall like a bug.

"What the-"

"Fuck!"

Kagome scanned the darkness in desperation. Her eyes found nothing. She shivered as a low growl rose in Inuyasha's throat.

"You."


Constructive criticism is very welcome!

I update once a month.