Kagome Higurashi was running through some unknown forest in the feudal era.
'I know Miroku said that demon had to be around here somewhere..' She thought frantically, 'Oh, if only we weren't seperated!'

Miroku and Sango had been torn away from Kagome somewhere during a fight with a lesser demon.. And, unprotected with no bow, no arrows, and no idea where she was, Kagome knew that the demons were looking for her. Fearfully she fingered the small drawstring pouch that held her sacred jewel shards.

"Oh, InuYasha," She thought aloud, "Of all the times to slack off! Why are you never there?"

Kagome stopped dead in her tracks. Looming high above her was a demon, it's horrible eyes looking at the pouch around her neck.

Alone and without any means of defense, Kagome was completley helpless. She crouched against the side of a tree, as if that would keep her from being seen.Some wild thorns from around the tree scraped at her hand, slicing open her palm, leaving a shallow cut.

The demon came menacingly forward, but then stopped abruptly, letting loose and un-human screech that hurt her ears. She yelled and put her arms around her head, but her eyes remained open, awed by the scene before her.

Several young men, apparently from a villiage nearby, were all attacking the demon with everything they had! The demon didn't stand a chance, and soon, it withered lifelessly to the ground.

One of the youngest in the group came up to her and extended a hand to help her up. "Are you all right?" he asked her kindly.

Kagome took his hand in her own and lifted herself from her hiding spot among the roots, dusting off her green pleated skirt. "Yes, I'm fine," She said, looking at the group of twelve or so men, "Thank you for helping me."

A handsome looking young man with long black hair pulled back into a wild-looking ponytail stepped forward. "Hey, no problem!"

Kagome felt safe. Most of these boys seemed absolutley harmless... Except for one. Everytime Kagome made eye contact, a swift, cold shiver ran up and down her spine.

He was tall- taller than the rest, and needless to say, very likable and handsome in appearance. He had a long scar on his right cheek that gave him an air of pride and bravery. At a first glance there would seem nothing to fear, but there was a look in in his eyes whenever Kagome was in his sight- a cold, hard look... Full of lust and foolish thoughts.

One of the Boys in the group saw her looking at the tall man. "Oh, That's Michio," He said, pointing at the figure in question, "He's our leader. Wherever he goes, we go."

The fear inside Kagome heightened. That look in his eyes couldn't be anything good. 'Wherever he goes,' She thought in almost a panic, 'They go... That can't be good, either.'

The youngest, a boy no older than ten, came up to her, a wide smile on his face. "Here," He said, holding out a lump of cloth to her, filled with... something.

Tanzalizing smells lifted from the fabric.

Kagome put a hand over her stomach as it growled. She was lost and hungry... It was a risk, but what else could she do?

She followed the group to a small hut in the woods. They all went inside except for Kagome, who hesitated momentarily at the doorway.

"Won't you go in?" Asked a masculine voice from behind her.

She jumped and turned around quickly, only to see the leader, Michio. "Oh...." She said, repling slowly, "Yes, I am."

"Well then," Michio said with a grin, "Come on!"

He turned swiftly and caught Kagome around the shoulders in what one would assume as a friendly gesture- a welcome... But he didn't let go. Kagome didn't protest; Truth be told, if she wasn't so afraid of him, she probably would have enjoyed him being so close- But she didn't like it a bit. Still she did nothing. 'They did save me,' She thought, 'the least I can do is accept their hospitality.'

His arms still around her shoulers, Michio led her through the doorway of the hut. As they passed through, he didn't let go, and they had to squeeze together to fit through. She could feel his hot, quick breath on her neck.

The feeling of his face so close to hers made her fluster, and she drew away from his the second they were clear of the door.

Suddenley the boys no longer looked so innocent. Only the younger ones huddled in the corners looked harmless, their eyes wide.

Michio slowly placed his arm back around Kagome's shoulders. "Isn't she lovley, boys?"

All the elder ones standing grinned mischeviously.

"Just like an angel," Michio continued, "Our own little Tennyo."

Kagome's head snapped to the side, looking at Michio. "Yours?" She asked frightfully.

"Oh," He said, placing himself completley behing Kagome and hugging her neck from behind, much to her horor, "Yes. Most definetley and completley ours."

Suddenley Kagome understood. This was no harmless group of villiage boys- This was a band of evil men, and she was their next target!

Kagome struggled wildly to get free, but Michio pinned her arms behind her back. "No," Kagome cried, trying to sound powerful and intimidating, "Stop it! Stop it right now!"

With only a grin and a nod from their leader, the men moved in. One bound her hands behind her back, while the ther took a length of cloth and gagged her.

"You see, my little Tennyo," Michio whispered menacingly into her ear, "You ARE ours." Then he looked up and continued adressing the men more than her. "All of ours."

Kagome tried to scream, but it was in vain. She felt weak. Then Michio moved froward towards her, and her fire returned. Mustering all of her strength, she wrenched the gag from her mouth with her teeth and screamed as long, high and loud as she could.

Michio slapped her furiously. "Why, you little-"

His words wer cut off by a loud crash and the whole hut seemed to shake. All was a blur of yelling men. But then, something new caught her eyes. Another blur- But of vibrant color and majesty. Of red clothing, white hair, and angry golden eyes.

"InuYasha," She cried, finally realizing her rescuer, "InuYasha your here! oh, your finally here!!"

"Hang on Kagome," He growled, throwing a older man of the group aside, trying to make his way to the helpless girl, "I'm coming!"

Kagome's heart felt light with relief. InuYasha was there... It would all be ok!

The lightness of her heart came to an abrupt halt. Michio had scooped her forcefully up into his arms and was running for dear life. Kagome wasn't sure where- but anywhere with him couldn't be good!

"InuYasha," She cried as loud as she could, hoping to be heard among the mayhem, "InuYasha, help me!"

Michio was angry. Instantly he dropped Kagome, giving her a hard kick in the ribs. "Shut up!!" He commanded her.

In one instant, all she saw was Michio's face, but the next, he was gone, replaced my a snarling half-demon whom she loved dearly. "Don't touch her,"InuYasha yelled, standing over Michio's frightened figure, "Never touch her! Ever come near her, and I'll kill you! That scar on your cheek will be the least of your worries, pal!"

Michio said nothing, only lay there on the floor, whimpering and looking terrified.

InuYasha gave him a square kick in the forehead, and Michio went limp, unconscious.

Kagome finally had the bravery to look around her. All the older men were unconscious just as Michio was, and she could hear the yell of the younger boys as they ran off.

InuYasha bent down to Kagome, lifting her head off of the floor and setting it it his lap. "Are you alright, Kagome?"

"Y-yes..." She said with a sigh, closing her eyes, "Yes, I'm fine."

"Did they hurt you?"

"Not too much."

"Too much?" InuYasha gritted his teeth and began to fiddle with the knots on Kagome's wrists to keep his hands busy.

Kagome looked around warily. "You didn't kill them?"

InuYasha nodded, still working at the ropes.

"Why?"

"Because I knew you wouldn't want me to."

Kagome smiled and closed her eyes.

There was a long pause in which Kagome's hands were freed. With a sigh she went limp, thankful to be alive.

"Hey, Kagome!" InuYasha was startled by her sudden lifelessness, and he turned her face into hers, gripping her shoulders tightly, though being careful not to cut her with his claws. "Kagome are you ok?!"

"Hmm?" Kagome said drowsily, opening her eyes again. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine." She gave a long sigh. "Just sore and scared and tired."

InuYasha looked deep into Kagome's brown eyes for a long moment that they both relished, then picked her up and set her whole body on his lap, supporting her back with his arm. "Well, I don't know if I can do anything about you being sore or tired," He said slowly, the slightest hint of a smile on his lips, "But You don't have to be scared anymore. I'm here now."

Kagome fell into his embrace, and he rocked her gently; Back and forth, back and forth.

"How... did yo find me" She asked after a long while.

"Well," InuYasha replied, not stopping his slow rythm of soothing her, "I smelled the blood on your hand. When I got closer, I could smell fear and lots of men, and I knew something couldn't be right. Then you screamed, and I could pinpoint exactly where you were."

"I'm so glad you came," She mumbled into his chest.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner."

In a slow sleepy motion, Kagome lifted up her face to InuYasha's, and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "It's all right," She said, dropping her head back to his chest.

InuYasha sat still for a moment, unconciously still rocking the one he knew he loved. Then he bent and kissed her forehead, saying nothing.

"So glad.. you came.." Kagome repeated as the rocking and pleasure of being held by one so dear to her heart lulled her into a deep and happy sleep.