Guess what? I do not own Inuyasha! Imagine that. *rolls eyes*
-~-
Kagome groaned as she slowly pulled herself out of the well. She didn't know why Inuyasha didn't come to help her, but she knew yelling was involved. She could hear his loud voice, if not what was being said.
I swear, if he makes Shippo cry again, I'll... her train of thought trailed off when she saw just what exactly had distracted her hanyou friend.
Standing beside Inuyasha was his deadly brother and his ward, oddly without the toad or dragon. The siblings weren't fighting each other, but instead a reincarnation of Naraku.
This particular reincarnation they had met only a few times. Her name was Sakura and fittingly enough wore a baby pink kimono and hakama with the pattern of black tree branches. Her black and purple hair was pulled into a high ponytail, exposing her beautiful features.
What struck Kagome the most, though, was how much the woman resembled Sesshoumaru. Sakura not only had a katana and wakizashi strapped to her waist, but also had a silent, icy air about her aided by her sharp purple eyes. Also, past experience showed her to be intelligent and lightning fast.
Kagome had no time to react when Sakura disappeared. She barely registered hearing a scream when the source was dropped at her feet. Kagome shivered when she felt cold steal on her throat. Katana in one hand and wakizashi in the other, Sakura was threatening Kagome and Rin as hostages.
Kagome felt a small hand reached for hers and squeezed it as comfortingly as possible. The little girl at her side quieted before calling softly out to her protector. “Lord Sesshoumaru, Lord Sesshoumaru... Father, please save me!”
To say that Kagome was surprised was an understatement. She knew the girl was fond of her silent guardian, but... Kagome happened to be watching Sesshoumaru's face when Rin was talking, and was thrilled to see emotion, however controlled. Underlying the slightly obvious strain was worry and joy, which he quickly hid.
But this wasn't the time to be thinking about a little girl's relationship with her unlikely protector. She needed to escape with Rin in tow.
Focusing on the woman behind her, Kagome started to form a plan. She was so absorbed into her own world that she didn't realize what was going on around her until the growling from the brothers turned up a notch.
Sakura was speaking. “I just came to fetch these gifts for my master. Excuse me for leaving so soon, but I must depart.”
And with that all three disappeared, the prisoners falling unconscious.
-~-
Kagome woke up feeling groggy. She gingerly held fingers to her temples as she sat up. Great, on top of being kidnapped I now have a pounding headache.
However, all worries for herself flew out the window when she heard sobbing. Lifting herself up she made her way towards the sound, but also took a brief glance around at her surroundings.
She was in a featureless room with no windows, and no visible door. On either side of the tiny room were two raised futons about a meter apart from each other. She felt a shiver go down her spine when she saw the shackles attached to the walls.
Kagome spotted a huddled form in the corner and quickly strode over. She had knelt and patted the little girl's back for a short while before small arms snaked around her neck. She carried Rin over to a futon and rocked her softly, whispering meaningless and comforting words. Rin raised her head and gave Kagome a gap-toothed smile.
“Sister... when will Lord Sesshoumaru come?”
Kagome's smile faltered. “I don't know, honey. I'm sure he will be here soon.”
Her smile disappeared completely and she clutched Rin to her tightly when chuckling filled their prison.
“Oh yes, he will come. But not until I wish it.”
Kagome watched with terrified eyes as Naraku dropped through the ceiling from a trap door. She shrieked when Rin was torn from her arms and was forced to watch, horrified, as Naraku chained the girl to the other wall by her wrists. Kagome was crying by the time her own arms snapped up.
Her glare was somewhat ruined when she sniffled. “What do you want, you pest?” she demanded.
The spider – back in human form – smirked at the distraught woman. “Why, I'm going to break my three most dangerous enemies – you, Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru – all while having my own fun.”
Ignoring Kagome's puzzled stare he turned to the little girl and licked his lips. “I like them more mature, but it's worth it to see Sesshoumaru's reaction.” The man reached over and began undoing Rin's obi.
Shock raced through Kagome's system when she realized what exactly Naraku had planned for the two females. Abandoning all caution, she kicked him.
“Keep your hands to yourself, you filthy slime!” No longer did she care what happened to her, she just wanted her enemy to stay away from Rin. The little girl still had plenty of life to live, and her only crime was to follow her saviour and get dragged into danger.
Naraku turned towards the angry miko, who was holding her chin high.
“Hmm... and why should I do that?” he asked. After studying the defiance in her eyes he grinned and grabbed her legs, forcing them apart.
Kagome fought as hard as she could, but with the shackles she could only do so much. The last thought she had before passing out was... Sesshoumaru... can you save the daughter you love?
-~-
Kagome slowly woke up. She found that even when she opened her eyes she couldn't see. Shifting, she found that her body wouldn't move either. Why blindfold me?
Devoid of sight the woman mentally checked her condition. She was sore all over, but especially her wrists, neck, and chest. Moving her legs sent waves of pain through her body. Kagome groaned, and in reply she heard chuckling and a small voice calling out for her 'Sister'.
“Feeling a little pained, are we? Don't worry, you'll soon have company.”
When she heard whimpering Kagome shouted a “No!” and the chuckling turned into full out laughter.
The blindfold was lifted and Kagome was forced to watch as her nemesis approached the little girl on the other futon. As dread filled her she was mentally screaming for her body to move, to do something, but it steadfastly ignored her. His advance was halted when the room shook from a distantly heard crash.
Turning 'till Kagome could see a hint of a frown, Naraku spoke. “Tsk tsk... you naughty dog, coming to the party early.”
He disappeared.
-~-
Kagome watched as Rin slowly stopped crying and lifted her head. The girl turned toward to woman with sorrowful eyes.
“Sister?”
Seeing the older female smile, she continued talking. “I... I'm sorry about what happened to you. If you hadn't been protecting me...”
Kagome was about to reply when she was interrupted by a figure crashing through the trap door and a flash of green that destroyed the shackles on the wall. She watched in awe as Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands, picked up the little human girl he viewed as a daughter and approached the wall, smashing through with a powerful swipe of his claws.
What neither of the adults were expecting was Rin's reluctance to leave. She started pulling on his long hair and kicking her legs as hard as she could. “No! Sesshoumaru-sama, we have to take Onee-san! She's like that because she protected me!” She pointed to where Kagome had not moved, even after the shackles were removed, so her arms were still above her head. The youkai continued walking. “Please, Father?” He froze.
Reluctantly he turned and picked up the female, who watched the entire exchange from half-open eyes. Making sure to wrap her up in the discarded clothes, he carried the two females out of Naraku's castle, unaware of the small smile adorning the woman's face.
-~-
Kagome woke up for the third time in a row in an unknown place. The last thing she remembered was whipping through the forest at inhuman speeds underneath Sesshoumaru's arm.
Ah... I must be in his home. Either that or some random village he dropped me off at, unless he found my friends. Sesshoumaru, where did you leave me?
Realizing this, she became infinitely more curious. She moved to sit up so she could inspect her surroundings but was prevented with a wince when her body reminded her of it's poor condition.
Damn!
Hoping to fall back to sleep Kagome rolled over only to come face-to-face with a wide awake little girl curled up on the futon with her. Well, I guess that answers my question.
Kagome smiled. “Hello Rin. How long have you been here?”
Rin's face lit up. “I was here the entire time, ever since we got back home! I've been guarding my Mother in her sleep! Wouldn't want Jaken-sama creeping in here and playing tricks on you!”
The woman's smile faltered. When was I promoted?
Rin took notice. “Is something wrong? You want to be my Mother, right?” She began to pull away and tears filled her eyes.
Kagome quickly pulled the girl into her arms, ignoring her protesting muscles at the movement. “Shh... shh... Of course, I'd love to! Guess what, you even have a brother! But... have you asked your Father?”
Rin beamed up at her. “Of course! He said 'As you wish', which I thought was quite funny. And he told me I could continue to call him my Father!”
The adorable girl's babbling was interrupted by a servant girl followed by the subject of their conversation walking through the door. The servant placed a wide tray over the bed on stands built into the frame and helped Kagome sit up with the help of lots of pillows. Kagome ate quickly, for she was not only famished, but wanted to lie back down. Naraku had not been gentle.
Once she was settled she watched Rin hug the tall youkai and her eyes slowly darkened. While she was glad the little girl was safe, she couldn't help replaying the recent events in her mind. Seemingly to have taken a personality switch, she turned to Sesshoumaru.
“So... what now?” she asked him in a flat voice.
-~-
Whew! One down, two to go! Thank you for reading. *winks* As a heads up, this story will be short and fast paced - only three chapters long. It was originally a oneshot I wrote when I should have been studying... but now that exams are over, I have the entire summer! *dances* I'll get the next chapter up as soon as I'm done writing it, but I can't make any promises. This is really my first fanfic (not technically, but it may as well be) so I'm keeping it nice and short.
Also, chocolate banana muffins to anyone who guesses the references! I think there are... *counts fingers* about three of them, with one that could go either way. *grins*
-Presto1995