A/N: Forewarning – there are an absurd number of scenes in this chapter. I know the shifts can be jarring (especially since there's a time lag between some), but there is just TOO MUCH going on to get everything connected and moving forward otherwise. Hope it isn't too confusing!

- CHAPTER TWENTY – THE DEN -

Kagome forced her eyes open, seeing only blurry sky streaked with the orange and gold of sunrise.

"You awaken," a female voice, velvet with confidence, enthused. "We draw near to your festering city and your equally-rotting golem of a master."

The words entered her clouded mind, sharpening her thoughts into focus. Kagome blinked and sat up, finding herself onboard a strange, flying feather.

"You're the wind witch," she said, trying to regain feeling in her cold-numbed limbs. "The one who wanted to attack the mountain."

Kagura guided them lower, zooming over the tops of building in the morning light. "Indeed. And you are the creature who put me in my current state of servitude," the velvet left, replaced with icy hatred. "If it were up to me, I would drop you from this height and see you dashed upon the unyielding streets below."

Kagome stretched her neck, lifting her arms up and rubbing her wrists to regain feeling. "Sorry. Your threats are a bit late today," she got up on her knees, palming the feather to help herself stand. "I've already been told I'll be strangled, choked, and left for dead in the woods. Thrown from the sky is just one more notch for me."

Kagura's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure it is not my threats you have to fear."

Kagome straightened, and she stood tall beside the shorter demon. "You're right," she kept the fear from her voice, but knew the youkai could smell it on her anyway. "What has he promised you, that he didn't give to the taijiya he already sent after me?"

Kagura didn't answer, turning to see Naraku's grand estate loom before them. "No promises were made," she muttered, slowing her feather, uneager to return. "Your Inu-Yasha wounded me and let me fall prey to him."

Kagome appraised the woman beside her, taking in her torn kimono and hunched stance. "You attacked him."

"Yes," she said, lowering the feather inside the estate's wide outer gate. "But my mistake came when I mentioned you," angry, red eyes returned to her. "I hope Naraku makes you suffer," she spat.

Kagome's knees went weak, but her chin stayed strong, lifting up. "I'm sure he will," she spotted a troop of guards rushing to meet them. "But I doubt my torment will ease your own."

Kagura stepped off the feather, and Kagome followed, keeping her head high.

"It'll be the only comfort you have in Naraku's employ," she continued, catching the demon's eye from the corner of her own.

The guards ran up, reaching out to grab Kagome's arms. She started to fight back, kicking and wrenching her elbows at every jaw and side she could reach.

Kagura shrunk her feather and plucked it from the ground, tucking it into her hair and turning her back on the scene, ascending the steps slowly.

Kagome began to shriek as the men overtook her, and the youkai flinched, forcing herself not to turn around. She had done her duty and clasped at her chest, feeling pain bloom there.

So why was her heart aching so?

Naraku steepled his fingers, making no attempt to hide his vindication as the writhing girl was forced to her knees before him. The four guards who had escorted her sported a wealth of bruises beginning to darken, and one had a swelling, broken lip.

"Well, well," Naraku rose from his chair, staring down at the face that had plagued him since he'd first seen it in Hana. "You've returned at last."

He hadn't had much time to prepare for Kagome's arrival, never guessing the wind witch would reclaim her so swiftly. A servant had dashed up with the news only minutes before, and he had quickly donned a favored yellow tunic, thinking it accented the width of his shoulders. He stood now, nearly preening, assuming she would soon admire the cut of his frame.

Kagome stared up from the hands pinning her, wrestling against their hold. She rolled her eyes when she recognized his shirt; the vain man had always loved it, and she'd always thought it made him look like a walking banana. "Took you long enough to retrieve me," she leered, her voice strong and unwavering. "It was as much an effort as getting you hard is."

Naraku's face flooded with color, and he advanced with storming steps. "Silence her!" He ordered, lifting his arm.

A fist punched her jaw, and stars blotted Kagome's vision. Naraku's hand was close behind, smacking her opposite cheek and sending her reeling.

"I haven't missed your charm," he snarled, crouching before her.

Kagome's mouth worked to form words, but the room spun too wildly for her to focus.

"Yes," fingers took her chin. "How quickly you've forgotten," they turned her face from side to side, examining it. "And you've gotten fat while you were away."

"You mean my lack of starvation?" She mumbled. "Yes, I suppose so."

Naraku dropped her chin and rose, snapping his fingers. "Bring her to my personal chamber."

The guards nodded, and the two pushing her down yanked her to her feet. Kagome's head lolled back, and she shot him a taunting smile. "Going to beat me until you get an erection, dear?" She threw his old endearment back at him, and his features contorted in rage.

Naraku slapped her again, and the force launched her head away. "You've grown insolent as well!" He shouted, the bite of her words making his temper flare. "That hanyou has ruined all the work I've done!"

Kagome's eyes fluttered closed as she struggled to stay conscious. "No…," she moaned, trying unsuccessfully to keep them open. "You never… extinguished… anything in me. You… deluded… moronic… human banana."

Another blow silenced her, sending her crashing into darkness, and Naraku turned as his men dragged her away, spotting Kagura standing back in the shadow of the open doorway, watching his humiliation silently.

"Would you like to join her?" He snarled, fumbling with shaking fingers for the envelope in his breast pocket. His anger made his hands almost refuse to work, curled into claws of outrage.

"The hanyou who took her is dead, felled at the hands of another foe," she called, making no move to step away from the wall. "I have fulfilled your request…," she swallowed down a sneer. "Master."

The title did little to soothe him, but he let his fingers fall from the envelope. "Get out of my sight then," he spat, too incensed by Kagome's insults to demand proof of Inu-Yasha's demise. "I'll call when I have need of you again."

Kagura bowed low and retreated out the doorway, a small part of her hoping her lie was indeed a falsehood. She knew well the full wrath the hanyou wretch could call upon, and it would be a small pleasure to see it aimed at her tormentor.

Shiori had flown through the mountain, enlisting other Ouja for help. Now, a group circled the captured wolves, marching them down to the dungeons to await Inu-Yasha's judgement. Furtive glances at their former sister aside, the entourage remained stoic and silent, disappearing down the tunnel and leaving Miroku alone with the taijiya who had not left their airborne vigil.

Sango and Kohaku had stayed while the koumori had rounded up reinforcements, watching Hakkaku and Ayame with as much mistrust as the two remaining hanyou.

Four-legged wolves had attacked the moment Miroku had lowered them to the earth, and Kohaku had quickly roused his sister with a stringent herb before the siblings had leapt into the fray. No thought had been given to choosing sides, for the wolves had lunged at them as readily as the Ouja. Defending the mountain together, they had made short work of the lesser demons, sparing only a young boy and an elderly wolf.

Now, Sango spoke softly to Kirara, and the nekomata flew low, landing on the ledge with a warning growl at the robed hanyou. He watched wordlessly, face shuttered, hanging back in the shadows.

She dismounted, signaling for Kohaku to remain. The boy disobeyed with a scoff, jumping beside her and glaring at Miroku's outline in open hostility.

"Why are you still here, huntress?" Miroku snapped, betraying his true unease. "We've delivered you back into the world to merrily run as many of our kind through as you can, and obviously have bigger concerns than you and your brother. Leave."

Sango shook her head, stepping towards the voice in the darkness. "I spotted Inu-Yasha race off to rescue Kagome the same as you did. She's been taken."

Miroku snorted. "Why do you care?"

The woman frowned. "I will not see that girl come to harm," she uttered, stopping before him. "She's the reason I stand here now, alive and free. Our debt will only be repaid once we've served her the same fate."

"Such a devout, bottomless well of new-found allegiance you have," he mocked dryly. "How quickly it seems your attacks upon her person are forgotten?"

"That was before she let us go!" Kohaku interjected. "She doesn't deserve to die alone in the woods!"

Miroku's stare penetrated, searching their faces, looking for deceit. "We don't need your help."

"It's not for you we offer it," Sango muttered. "For reasons I will never fathom, Kagome chose this as her home. I won't let her be ripped away from it, nor fall prey to a youkai-hanyou feud she had no part in making," she returned Miroku's stare. "Are you going to help us find Inu-Yasha, or not?"

Rin clanged her shackles together, trying to rouse the girl lying in a crumpled heap at the other end of the room. Soft candlelight filled the chamber, illuminating a large bed, a bottle of fermented drink chilling in ice, and a window covered in drawn curtains. Rin banged the wrists suspended above her head harder, hissing into the dim.

"Hey!" She watched the girl, searching for any sign of movement. "Wake up!"

The pile of scratched arms and legs didn't move, and Rin flicked a glance at the door.

"He's going to be here soon!" She urged, stepping out from the wall as far as the brackets around her ankles would let her. "He'll be mad if you're not awake!"

A low groan sounded from the pile, and Kagome rolled over onto her back. "Where…?"

"You're in Kanaka, in Naraku's bedchamber," Rin answered. "And you need to get up," she strained against her restraints. "Please. Trust me."

Kagome peered through the dim groggily. "Who're you?"

"I'm Rin," she answered, tensing as the sound of approaching footsteps filled the room. "And if you don't sit up, he'll be furious."

"I don't 'member you," Kagome slurred, still on her back. "Were you here when I was?"

The girl's eyes widened, and she stilled. "You're the one he's been after," she took in the woman with new wonder. "He's completely obsessed with you."

Kagome propped herself up on her elbows, just as the jangle of keys sounded outside the door. "Let's keep it that way," she whispered, her words growing clearer. "Don't say anything Rin."

The door swung wide, and familiar orange robes filled Kagome's view; he had changed after her comment. She forced her torso up, bending at the waist, and fixed the man who entered with a glare, quelling a note of satisfaction knowing she'd gotten under his skin.

"Ah," Naraku handed his keys off to the guard nearby. "You're awake," he pulled the door closed, staring down with a hateful smile. "How wonderful," there was a click as it locked behind him, and Kagome frowned.

Damn. He's learned from that time I stole his keys.

Rin shrunk back against the wall, wincing as the chains holding her immobile clinked together, their sound now a curse rather than boon.

Naraku glanced her way, missing Kagome sit up straighter, fear flashing across her face. "Oh," his smile fell. "I'd forgotten you were here child."

Rin swallowed as Kagome crawled forward, lifting out a hand.

"Looks like I've been replaced," the older girl said, in a tone full of unrecognizable coyness. "You were quick to forget me as well."

Rin was astonished at the change, but made sure to keep the surprise from her face, letting her eyes fall to her feet.

Naraku turned back around, noting her movement. "Your absence has done something very important for me Kagome," he stepped over and bent down, putting his face in front of hers. "I no longer believe all the falsehoods that spill so freely from your lips."

Kagome kept her expression even. "Then why am I still alive? Why not just kill me?"

Manicured nails reached out, grazing her jaw. "It doesn't mean I don't still love you," red eyes stared at her nose, mouth, and neck in longing. "I plan to still allow you a place at my side in society," his stare dropped to her chest. "I might even make you my wife."

Kagome couldn't hide the shudder of revulsion that ran through her. "W-wife? Love?!" She managed. "You know nothing of it."

Naraku's eyes snapped up, reading more into her words than simple denial. "Did that hanyou touch you?" Anger sparked in their depths. "Did he steal your heart as well as your body from me?"

Kagome met his stare, unable to keep her composure. "I am NOT yours!" She closed her mouth and drew her head back, hacking a wad of spit into his face. "And I would NEVER be your WIFE!"

Naraku wiped the wetness from his cheek, staring at the bubbled glob dumbly for a moment. "You would… refuse me?" He wiped his hand on his thigh. "Would refuse my one chance for leniency?"

"I would, wholeheartedly," Kagome said venomously. "I hate you with every fiber of my being."

He stared at the streak his hand had made in the orange fabric. "I see."

Rin dropped her mouth, trying not to succumb to the sinking feeling in her stomach.

"So, you will never find me fit?" Naraku looked up from his thigh, and Kagome realized she had made a terrible mistake. A murderous rage darkened his eyes, growing stronger the longer she held his stare. "Never love me the way I've loved you?"

"How have you ever—?!"

A palm clamped over her mouth, silencing her shock.

"I'll make you pay for this treachery," he threatened, digging fingers into her flesh. "Starting with the thing I hate most about you," he looked over his shoulder at the girl chained to the wall. "Your damned empathy."

The little, green demon hopped from foot to foot, his long, two-headed staff swaying wildly as he muttered to himself. His vigil was entering its second week, nights spent fending off enemies and days filled with pleading.

"My lord," he murmured, his face woeful. "How could this have happened?" Large eyes stared up at the trunk of an ancient tree, seeing the unconscious form of his master suspended against it, held in place by an arrow deep in his chest. Dried blood stained the bark, issuing from the loss of the daiyoukai's left arm before he'd been sealed and frozen with purifying magic.

"What of your charge?" The kappa asked, as if the frozen, slumbering form would answer. "I went back to retrieve her, as you commanded, but she was gone," the imp waited for a response, hoping the mention of the girl would rouse him. "She might need you, my lord, " his voice hitched as a wail built in his throat. "As I do!" Tears burst from his eyes, streaming over his beaked maw and down his green cheeks.

A breeze drifted past, stirring the sleeves of a patterned kimono and lifting stray strands of long, silvery hair from a striped face. His master slept on, in a cage too strong and deep to respond or even hear.

Inu-Yasha's feet were raw as he trampled through the forest, Tessaiga now small and thin at his hip once more. He had left Kouga in a crumpled, bleeding heap – felled quickly once the hanyou realized the wind witch's theft. Although the wolf prince had proven a worthy adversary in the past, he was nothing against Inu-Yasha's fury and fear over losing Kagome. His strikes had been faster than any he'd attempted before, fueled by rage and anguish, and Kouga had succumbed easily.

Inu-Yasha spared no thought to Kouga now, uncaring if he had left the battered youkai alive or dead. Kagura reeked of Kanaka and Naraku, the same lingering stench that had first swirled around Kagome heady in her trail. He knew he was days away from the damned city, and cursed his initial foolhardy flight; he should have gone back to the mountain and gotten help, preferably the kind that traversed through the air.

"Damnit," frustration welled as he thought of Naraku over Kagome in the alley. "I should have killed him then," he ran faster, jumping logs and dodging trees blindly, racing until his heart pounded in his ears.

From above, a strange, wavering light broke the night sky, and the smell of a nekomata hit his nose. Inu-Yasha slowed, aware the crunch of leaves and his panicked run had already given him away. Normally, the cat-like demons weren't known for seeking out trouble – especially with a territory as well marked and defended as the Ouja's – but Inu-Yasha had overhead Kagome say this one belonged to the hunters.

The creature blinked down at him through the crowns of trees and let out a series of yaps and growls.

"I don't want any trouble!" He called. "Be on your way!"

Two faces sharing strong family traits peered over the nekomata's side, and a cloud of purple rose up above them.

"It's only us!" Miroku answered back.

Sango and Kohaku stared down at the dog-hanyou, waiting to see his reaction before flying lower or zooming upwards.

Inu-Yasha only needed a moment. "They proved themselves against the wolves?" He was quick to dismiss their past offenses for now and move on – nothing mattered more than getting to Kanaka; he didn't have time for any apologies.

Sango opened her mouth to answer, but Miroku beat her to it.

"Not really. They were worthless."

"We were NOT," the woman's face reddened in outrage.

"They want to help rescue Kagome," he continued, ignoring her outburst. "I think they feel bad for being prejudiced villains – going on about debts owed, freedoms given, and other such garbage pledges."

Sango sent the mist a curse before clicking to Kirara, asking her dive.

The flames at the nekomata's legs and tails blazed as she descended abruptly, deftly avoiding trees and landing on the forest floor.

Miroku followed, murky and hard to see in the darkness. "They used this oversized beast to reach the mountain in less than a day," he explained.

Inu-Yasha gave the purple mass a sharp look. "And you trust them?"

Sango followed his eyes, wishing she could see Miroku's face.

"A little," he said, hesitating. "Kagome wins the hardest of hearts."

Sango swore she felt a smile settle on her and ducked her head, irritated she had fallen for the girl's kindnesses as much as the wind demon.

"Good enough for me," Inu-Yasha nodded, scrambling forward. "Kagome was taken two hours ago by a full-blooded youkai," he explained as he clambered on, knowing Miroku could already sense vestiges of the witch's presence the air.

"Hear that Kirara," Kohaku leaned over the cat's side, catching her eye. "Head back to Kanaka."

She nodded and sprung upwards. Inu-Yasha leaned forward, grabbing ruffs of her fur and knocking his chin into Sango's shoulder blades, trying to keep his balance.

"You'll get used to it," she assured as he straightened quickly. "Though its going to be a little rough tonight since we've asked her to go at top speed."

"Thank you," Inu-Yasha said quietly, looking beyond to the hovering cloud following beside them.

"Yes sir?" Miroku asked preemptively.

Inu-Yasha glanced to the blurring ground below, ducking his head. "I think I might have left Kouga alive," he whispered. "Go back and make sure I didn't make a mistake."

"But—," Miroku started to protest, thinking of this horrible human he'd heard so much about. Part of him wanted to strike the killing blow himself, and his mind drifted to Sango, thinking of what Naraku would do to her if Inu-Yasha failed.

"Please," his leader asked softly. "I don't want him backtracking to the mountain and hurting anyone else," he lifted his head. "And I need to do this alone."

Miroku acquiesced. "Of course," with a last look, that none atop the nekomata could see, he drifted down, changing direction and flying back into the forest.

Kohaku glanced back over his shoulder, wind whipping hair about his face. "Alone?" He asked over its roar.

Inu-Yasha nodded, squaring his shoulders. "Get me to the city and then get the hell away from here. You're not going to want to be within its walls when I see your employer again."

The boy swallowed and turned back around.

Rin cried out as Naraku opened her shackles and pulled her from the wall. Kagome's protest was louder than hers, and she got up on her knees, lifting a hand out.

"No! Don't!" She rushed. "Please! I was wrong!"

He ignored her, dragging the girl by a bruised wrist to the bed. "I had been saving her," he spat viciously. "You know I like my fruit ripe."

Kagome started to get to her feet, and he palmed the air, snapping his eyes to hers.

"Don't you dare!" He hollered, shaking Rin like she was nothing but hanging rags on a line. "You'll stay right there, or I'll make it worse for her."

"Please," Kagome cupped her hands together, edging forward on her knees. "Don't do this to her. She's so young."

Naraku threw Rin onto the bed, ignoring her shriek as her head hit pillows. "Do I detect a note of jealousy, Kagome?" He leered. "Are you angry that I've also found another to share my affections?"

The girl didn't hesitate, bobbing her head up and down vigorously. "Yes! Yes, that's right! I'm so jealous – you can't love anyone but me!"

Naraku turned away from the mattress, folding arms over his chest. "I knew you were only speaking of hate to be hurtful," he nodded, coming around the bed's side.

Kagome's eyes watched him leave Rin, and she flicked the girl a warning look, urging her to stay quiet and still. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, dropping her head as he crossed the room, knowing he would see it as docility, instead of a means of hiding her loathing and disgust.

Naraku bent to a knee and reached out, stroking her hair. "I knew you would be," his fingers clenched suddenly, yanking her head back and making her cry out.

She met his gaze and swallowed. "I… missed you," she said thickly, trying to sound convincing.

He pulled her forward and lowered his face, opening his mouth and enveloping her lips in a rough kiss. The contact was bruising, and he pushed deeper, willing her to respond.

Bile welled up her throat as he clumsily mashed his lips against hers, and she cast her glance over his shoulder at the bed. Her eyes widened at the empty mattress and pillows, and she gasped into his mouth as Rin appeared from the wall, brandishing the shackles that had bound her legs. Taking them by their chains, she swung the metal clasps forward, striking Naraku's shoulder and knocking him aside.

"You leave her alone!" The girl seethed, lifting them up to whip them down again. They flew through the air as her arm arced down, hitting Naraku's nose and making blood burst across his wide-eyed expression of shock.

Kagome scrambled back and launched herself at him, raining fists down on his chest and chin. Rin joined her, dropping to her knees and slamming the shackles again and again, knocking the breath from his lungs and forcing him to put his palms up to protect himself.

"Guards!" Naraku gurgled weakly, his mouth full of blood. "GUARDS!"

Both women didn't relent, hitting over and over, each blow stronger and more savage than the last. The door clicked open, and two men surveyed the scene, rushing forward immediately. Kagome snarled, her fists smeared in red, as arms yanked her off; Rin yelled in protest as the metal chains were pulled from her fingers.

Naraku glared balefully, fear and pain warring across his face, and he scooted back along the floor, trying to put distance between himself and the two struggling captives. The guards got them under control, pulling arms behind their backs and wrenching them away.

"Guess you still fall for my 'falsehoods' after all!" Kagome screamed, her chest heaving. "You disgusting MONSTER!"

Naraku cupped his broken nose, speaking through the blood rushing over his mouth and chin. "Take them to my dungeons," he managed. "And get me a goddamn healer!"

The men nodded and dragged Rin and Kagome away, hollering for assistance as they made their way down the hall, despite the kicks and attempts to break free.

Naraku sat in his chamber, alone in the candlelight, and spotted the chilled drink, aged to perfection, he'd planned to open upon Kagome's return. He crawled over to it on his hands and knees and knocked the legs out from the table it sat on, sending the bottle and a wave of melting ice across the floor. It smashed open, spraying shards of glass and carbonated liquid everywhere, and he took in the pieces and mess silently, drawing his hand back to see it covered in dark red.

The taijiya and Inu-Yasha reached the outskirts of Kanaka just as morning gave way to midday, heating the air and suffusing the sky's cheery, blue expanse with bright light, nearly mocking in its gaiety. All three surveyed quiet streets as Kirara flew for the towering estate near the city's center.

Inu-Yasha peered as the building sharpened into view, taking note of the few patrolling guards walking through the garden. "Drop me off over there," he pointed past Sango's shoulder to the building's back side.

She followed his gaze, whispering to Kirara. The nekomata chirped her agreement and flew low, circling wide.

"Inu-Yasha?" she turned her face slightly, only half-facing him. "I'm sorry… for everything."

He gave a clipped nod, still in no mood for reconciliation. One ride would do little to ease his ire at their earlier behavior, especially if it proved in vain. "If she's unharmed, you'll have nothing left to answer for. You and your brother can be on your way."

"Is it really your brother we should be searching for?" Kohaku ventured from Kirara's neck.

"I wouldn't know," he watched the estate as it grew large. "But genocide for no sake was never really his style. He's violent, but not wantonly," amber eyes flicked up to the boy. "The only way he would have attacked your village is in retaliation."

Both siblings mulled over his words as Kirara landed between a pair of houses just beyond the wall. Inu-Yasha hopped from her back at once and gave another nod.

"Good luck," the hanyou said, starting forward. "I hope you find your culprit and make them pay."

"Even if it is Sesshomaru?" Sango asked.

He glanced over his shoulder, shooting a last half-smile. "Especially," turning around, he ran for the wall, leaping up and scaling it with extended claws. He dug into the stone, climbing quickly and disappearing over the top, leaving the pair staring bewildered at the space he'd just been in.

"What now?" Kohaku looked to his sister.

Sango surveyed the street. "Now we find a better place to hide and wait."

"He told us to leave."

"And we're not," she spoke to Kirara, and the youkai launched herself once more, veering off for a farther, more secluded alley.

Sango glanced back, trying to spot a flash of haori against the building, but Inu-Yasha's stealth far surpassed her eyes. They left as the Ouja leader found a side door and shouldered it open, entering the den of the man who had stolen the woman he loved.

A/N: I am trying VERY hard to stick to my once-a-month promise of updates, but the next chapters are less polished and will need more time to coax out versions that satisfy. (Also, I have unfortunately been bitten by the Sess/Kag bug, one I eluded for a long time, and my muse is waaaaay more keen on writing for them at the moment.) Don't worry though, the stall for chapter 21 won't be too dramatic – just a few extra weeks =).