Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all associated characters are the intellectual property of Rumiko Takahashi and I make no profit from these writings. Psst. the Yummy Sessh/Kag goodness is all me and playing with them is payment enough.
A figure covered from head to foot in a traveling cloak struggled through the snow, the freezing winds cutting through, chilling them to the bone. Small and slender, pushing with all their strength against the storm. they hoped that they weren't too late. There! The feel of surprisingly warm flesh against frozen finger tips. Pale skin almost as white as the snow it's self topped off with silver hair that seems to glow against the surrounding white.
The low growling sound startled person as they realized that the bound man was awake and watching them, the sound becoming more pronounced as they pulled out the small dagger from their sleeve. Ignoring both the sound and how the muscles beneath the other hand tensed as if preparing to do violence the blade began sawing through the thick ropes that trapped the man. Freed from the bonds they small person tucked into the larger man's side offering support and leading him back from where his rescuer had appeared.
A few growls and several yaps into the night and the cloaked being began to wonder if there was more than mockery to the guards constant referral of the prisoner as a dog. But even this thought was fleeting as survival and escape remained the only goal. Finally reaching a thick wooden door, they both entered the castle shrine. The candles giving off a soft light and the door once again closed against the harsh storm the cloak was quickly removed and wrapped around the taller man's almost nude form.
A woman! When he had first sensed the human coming towards him in the snow Seshoumaru assumed that it was another trick of that half breed Naraku. He was shocked when the figure appeared armed with only a small dagger, beyond that when they same dagger was cutting through his ropes instead of aiming for his heart. A few terse commands in inu that he knew would reach his brother's ears, he held off the attack of his army to see what foul plot was being played out now. But nothing had prepared him for this. Small and fragile looking, with waist length black locks and wide blue eyes was a woman. The same woman took off her own cloak and covered him as if HE needed it's protection more than one such as she. Shaking himself out of his own thoughts he realized she was speaking to him.
" I know not why my step brother has you captive, and I do not care. I only know that no one deserves such a death. I am making my escape from this hell tonight. Naraku was called from the castle this evening and I am hoping that the storm will give me time to put as much distance between myself and this castle as possible... and I suggest you do the same. If you are smart you will leave this place and never look back, I pray to the Gods that thats my fate." Ducking behind a nearby statue she pulled out a travel bag and slung it over her shoulder before turning back to address him again. "There is a tunnel back here, it will lead you just past the outer wall and freedom."
Naraku was no longer in the castle? His men were stationed, ready to attack and their target had slipped away into the night! This was his enemy's sister. Perhaps if the larger prey has escaped, the debt that dirty hanyou owed to the Tashio family could be extracted else where. The Dog Lord began to growl at the small female as she started to make her own way down the dark passage. Once again she turned to face him, this time her eyes began to scan his person. Walking up to him she began running her hands over the cloak, it took a moment before he realized she was checking him for injuries. Grabbing one of the offending arms he pulled her off balance and into his chest, trapping her against him.
"You will lead this Sesshoumaru out of here. Any trap planned will have you walking through it before this one, Bitch."
Bitch? She stared at him, wide eyed with shock. Her face began to flush and her eyes flashed with rage. She will show him bitch.
"I do not have any intentions of leading you into a trap or anywhere else for that matter, I took precious time from my own escape to rescue you and then you repay me by calling me names? AND MY NAME IS KAGOME! I'm sure that it isn't too complicated for you to say!"
For the first time this night Kagome had a chance to really look at the man she had risked so much for. Only to realize he wasn't a man at all. White perfection. Tall and lean, beautiful. Purple slashes of color adorned each cheek bone, the point of each ear peeking through his silver hair, she gasped. "You really are a demon."
With an almost snarl and a flash of fang he began to pull her into the darkness of the tunnel and Kagome was too shocked to do anything but allowed him to push her ahead of him as they both made their way to freedom.
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As the darkness dimmed and the air grew crisper Kagome knew they were almost there. Freedom, something she had longed for all these months since Naraku had forced her to return from the shrine she studied at. Life had been peaceful, the Mikos who trained her were caring and treated her as their own. She had been placed there quite young, soon after her mother's tragic death. Her step father fell to depression, locking himself away from the world, unable to see to her care. With an estranged step brother as her only other relative she had been left on her own there for years, until recently.
With her sixteenth birthday approaching, and her step father's death, Naraku had taking over the lands. Appearing at the shrine out of obligation to renegotiate the terms of payment for her education rather than a desire to see to her well being, he took one look at her and realized the value she held. Long, black hair crowned a slender figure and beautiful face. He could marry her off to the highest bidder. Well she would have none of that! She was her own person. Besides, the last few weeks he had begun to sneak into her room at night, staring down at her as she pretend to sleep. Afraid that her ruse would not hold him off forever, and even more afraid of what he might be there for, she had began to plan her escape. Pocketing a bit of bread here, some fruit there, she had managed to store up a stockpile of supplies to help her on her way.
If only He hadn't shown up. Kagome had been pretending to pray at the castle's shrine in order to stash her bag of supplies when there had been a commotion in the courtyard. Soldiers had pulled the man into the main yard, pushing him to kneel at the Lord's feet. Even then he had still held his head high, refusing to submit. Naraku said something about making it look natural, then ordered his men to strip the prisoner down to his under clothes and tie him to the banner post. The storm would do their dirty work for them, letting it look like he had died in the wilds when caught out in the blizzard.
She tried to leave, as soon as her brother was out of the back gate she made her way to the shrine. Hand on the door she battled with her self. She knew not why this man was captured, he could be a murderer. But Naraku had wanted it to look natural, if things were as they should be he wouldn't have needed to resort to subterfuge. Mind made up she had set out to help him. Waiting until his guards decided that the cold night wasn't worth staying out in, sneaking up to cut his bonds... and now look at her. Pushed in front of him, from one captor to another. Stupid dog.
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The snow had let up some while they were in the tunnel, Patches of clear sky allowed the stars to shine down, casting a pale glow over the snow covered ground. Breathing in the fresh air, a sense of elation flowed through her, She did it! Free from Naraku, she wanted, to laugh, she wanted to dance, she wanted to get out of here and as far away as possible! Turning to her silent companion, well if you ignored the growls and occasional barks, she smiled brightly.
"See not a single trap, I told you I was rescuing you. Well, time to get out of here, I suggest you get as far as you can before they notice you're gone in the morning. Stay safe." Turning to walk away she felt a tug on the arm he had been holding her by. Trying to pull herself free, he did not release her. She looked at him questioningly.
" Your brother has dishonored the House of Taisho, he has stolen something precious from us, so in return I shall steal something precious to his house. You, girl, shall come with me." Turning in the opposite direction she had been heading he began to drag her along behind him.
" But.. I saved you! I refuse to be a prisoner again!" She dug her feet into the snow, trying to stop his progress. Looking back at her, he merely raised one brow then tossed her over his shoulder. Ignoring her screeches and how her tiny fists pounded into his back, Sesshoumaru made for his waiting army and his brother's camp.
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Next chapter: Naraku finds his sister gone and we discover the depths of his depravity. We find out how he has Dishonored the Taisho family, meet Inuyasha and a few other familiar faces. This will be a along Multi chapter story and I am seeking a beta.