I am so sorry this happened, guys! All of my stories on got erased, but not because someone reported me for explicit content. This happened because some stupid bitch who I used to consider a friend got into a fight with me, stole my password onto this site, and deleted every last one of my stories while signed on as me. This is the worst possible thing that could have happened to me… that's all I'm gonna say. This girl is a manipulative bitch who deserves to rot in hell. I did nothing to her but end our friendship, a friendship that could barely be called such. I barely could bring myself to repost everything, but I did because I knew my readers wouldn't abandon me. PLEASE, leave reviews, as I have lost every last one of mine because of this… girl, I suppose. Thank you, and sorry for the inconvenience.

"Fool!" Sesshoumaru berated himself. "Idiot! Why did you take your eyes off of her!" Sesshoumaru was more upset than he had ever been (which isn't really saying that much since this is Fluffy we're talking about.) He had gone to settle a simple dispute over a territory boundary by killing his next door neighbor, and, in so doing, had left Rin's care to Jaken. When he had gotten back, he found Jaken babbling incoherently and Rin nowhere to be found. Jaken had obviously been placed under some kind of spell and was of no use to him until the effects wore off, so Sesshoumaru set off furiously to reclaim his property.

He was not having an easy time of it; however, since the antagonist had more than a few days head start and had covered his tracks expertly. Sesshoumaru was well aware that he was walking straight into a trap. There was no reason for anyone to go to such lengths to kidnap a small human child unless they wanted to draw him out, and Sesshoumaru was prepared for this. He scanned the land around him incessantly while he practically flew through the woods as his rage fed his speed. He had traveled quite a ways to the north and stopped recognizing landmarks long ago.

Rin's scent was hanging ever so subtly on the wind, as if the culprit didn't want him to have too easy of a time falling into his trap. Sesshoumaru was relieved when he didn't sense any blood scent on the air, but none the less he was going to kill whoever did this again and again until he ran out of torture techniques, and Sesshoumaru had been collecting them for centuries. The cool, autumnal breeze suddenly changed direction and brought on it a fresh scent. Sesshoumaru came to a halt and gracefully raised his nose to the wind. It smelled strongly of his Rin.

With renewed vigor, Sesshoumaru raced of in the direction the wind had come from, searching the nearby forest for any signs of life. The sun had long ago relinquished claim of the heavens and the moon now reigned supreme, casting her ethereal glow on all, including the inu youkai. The rays of silver light reflected off his shimmering hair like a beacon in the night, making him stand out in sharp contrast to the shadows that loomed about him.

Sesshoumaru considered stopping for the night now that he had a clear idea of what direction to head in, but it was then that he saw it. A castle of unparalleled splendor spread before him, spider-webbing across the landscape like a hydra monster. The walls were made of a creamy alabaster stone that shone with an obviously supernatural light.

Thousands of stone gargoyles lavished the sides of the lofty towers like unmoving sentries. The towers themselves were bedecked with gold filigree in strange sweeping designs almost like vines that coiled across the many stained-glass windows. A wall of unyielding white rock encompassed the beautiful architecture like a mother embracing her child. It stretched far off into the foggy night and seemed to be some twenty feet in thickness and at least fifty feet tall.

The only weak spot Sesshoumaru could discern was a beautifully designed, gold gate that was cut into the stone. It held the image of mythological beasts all entwined in the flowing design of the doorway. A dragon of great stature encircled the outer edge of it, holding within his form delicate fairies, ferocious sea serpents, and playful wood nymphs that chased each other throughout the image. It had all been done so skillfully, Sesshoumaru could hardly tell where one design started and another began, for they flowed together like a single entity.

Sesshoumaru walked cautiously up to the gate and prepared to destroy the splendor he had moments before been admiring. Suddenly, he discovered there was no need. The gate swung open of its own accord, seemingly welcoming him as if he were an honored guest rather than a murderous demon seeking revenge. Sesshoumaru walked calmly through the gate and did not even glance back as it swung shut with an earth-shaking bang. A path of pale, gleaming stones twisted before him, branching off into several smaller paths of darker stone to cover the entire territory. Under different circumstances, Sesshoumaru would have appreciated the refinement that radiated off of every meticulously sculpted surface, but he was far to intent on getting Rin back to really notice his surroundings.

He followed the path and strode carefully through a marble courtyard of some kind as he headed towards the castle, stopping to glance at his surroundings. The courtyard had a fountain in the center that looked as though it had not been working for several years. It was a graceful-looking young maiden who held an oriental vase balanced perfectly on her head. Her beautiful kimono flowed around her as if a never-ending breeze flowed over it. Her head was held high, as she looked upward, as if greeting the rain that once flowed from the fountain to gently splash on her face. There were several other statues placed carefully throughout the area. Several were tributes to the five sacred beast of China- the Dragon, the Phoenix, the Genbu, the Kirin, and the Tiger, but there were also a few that resembled angels and demons. Besides the fountain maiden, there were no other humans depicted as far as Sesshoumaru could see.

Passing through the courtyard, Sesshoumaru chose a different path that seemed quicker. He continued silently, watching as the fortress that he sought loomed closer and closer. Finally he came upon the great mahogany doors that blocked his entrance. Since he didn't really think they were expecting him to knock, Sesshoumaru blasted through the thick doors as though they were made out of rice paper. Sesshoumaru stood in an entrance hall whose splendor rivaled even that of his own castle. The lofty ceiling reached up so high it was painful for him to crane his neck that far up. Wall-to-wall windows that must've taken years to design covered the room majestically.

Sesshoumaru walked through carefully, expecting to see a welcoming party of soldiers to greet his not-so-subtle entrance. He saw none; however, and as he completed his scrutiny of the room, his golden eyes came to rest on a throne he had not noticed before. Sitting upon the throne with poise trademarked by those born into royalty, was a woman every bit as beautiful as her surroundings. She had wavy hair as black as midnight that cascaded to the small of her back and eyes of shining silver that would make the stars hide in shame. Her beauty would have instantly entranced any mortal man, but Sesshoumaru was not some pathetic human. He delivered an icy glare that could freeze your heart to the woman and approached her cautiously, expecting a trick.

"My Lord Sesshoumaru, you have finally arrived." Her voice slithered over his skin like oil, and Sesshoumaru was slightly unnerved by the obvious malice it held.

"So it would appear," Sesshoumaru snapped at her. "Tell me what you want with my human girl."

"Now, now, don't be so hasty," She replied in a sickeningly sweet tone. She smiled nastily at Sesshoumaru. "Your little girl has already been released, and no harm was done to her. She was merely a pawn to get you here, as I'm sure you've guessed by now." Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth and growled at her. "Even if she has been left unharmed, you will die for daring to interfere with me." The woman laughed outright at this, making Sesshoumaru's skin crawl at the sound.

His anger reached its boiling point, and with that, he launched himself at the woman. He didn't get far; however, because at that moment he smacked straight into an energy barrier surrounding the evil sorceress. A numbing shock ran through his body as he contacted with the raw energy, causing him to go limp and fall helplessly to the ground.

"Nice try, little pup," She cooed at him while smiling nastily. " You're very strong for a stupid mutt, and you'll serve my purpose well. Now, sleep, little puppy." She whispered this last sentence as she approached his still form. The force of the barrier had knocked him senseless and he felt her honeyed words drawing him into a black oblivion. He felt his body being lifted up and then he lost all sense of his surroundings.

Sunlight streaming through the iron bars of his cell finally woke him some days later. He bolted upright and was immediately assaulted by his pounding head. His vision was blurred, and he felt groggy. He had obviously been drugged, and he ground his teeth in frustration. He looked carefully around him as he tried to collect himself, even with the unknown poison running through his veins. He was bound to the wall with simple-looking chains that he could have broken as easily as one might snap a twig if they had not been reinforced with a powerful binding spell.

His cell had frigid air blowing through it constantly, indicating that he was fairly high up and most likely in one of the towers he had spotted from the outside. His weapons had not been taken, amazingly, but he doubted the witch could have mastered Tokijin's evil aura. He could not; however, reach either Tokijin or Tenseiga, no matter how much he struggled. A familiar scent drifted in the air, although he couldn't be sure where he had sensed it before or where it came from. Sesshoumaru was pulled from his thoughts as the witch appeared before him.

"Well, it seems the little puppy is finally awake." She scoffed openly at his obvious helplessness. She reached down and grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at her. Her silver eyes studied him as if she was inspecting an old piece of furniture, then she removed her hand and backhanded him viciously across his lovely face. Sesshoumaru did not let his pain show even as her blow stung horribly. He was far too strong to let a little thing like pain affect him.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," She remarked mockingly, trying to get Sesshoumaru to respond. He stayed quiet however, glaring at her with enough hatred to still a beating heart. The witch was not satisfied with this response; however, so she switched tactics. She slid up to him and grabbed his chin again.

"Do you want me to free you, Sesshoumaru?" She purred at him, sliding across his body to sit cozily in his lap. Sesshoumaru was surprised by her tactics and was unsure as to how he should react, so he simply stayed silent even as she ran her long fingers through his silky hair. Ghosting her smooth fingers across his cheeks, the witch continued.

"I'd be more than willing to free you, Sesshoumaru, if you would just ask me nicely." Her oily words floated over his ears, coaxing him into obedience, but Sesshoumaru refused to listen.

"You really should be nice to me, Sesshoumaru-sama," She cooed in his ear even as she slid her hands down his muscled chest. She gave his ear a slow lick. "I can be nice too, you know." And with that she swept her tantalizing lips across his, eliciting a surprised gasp from Sesshoumaru. He was completely at a loss as she ran her tongue over his lips, seemingly tasting him before drawing away from him slowly, as though she was reluctant to leave her new plaything. She got up from his lap and started across the cell.

"My name is Ashe, by the way," She called over her shoulder. "You're going to be here for a long time, so I suggest you get to know your cell mate." Her last statement baffled Sesshoumaru, but it was then that he identified the familiar scent that hung in the air. He looked over to a corner of the cell hidden in shadows. A pair of scarlet eyes that had watched the entire scene between Ashe and Sesshoumaru glared back at him. Leaning into the light so that he could be identified, the demon waved casually at Sesshoumaru as though they had seen each other every day.

"Hello, Naraku." Sesshoumaru waved back.

To be continued.

Wow, I write a lot of cliffhangers. Got to break that habit or I'll lose all my readers. Well, anyway that's the end of Chapter one and chapter two is not going up until I get some reviews. I know I sound like a total bitch, always demanding reviews but that's the only way I'll even know if anyone is actually reading my story or if I'm just wasting my time. Ja ne my little pretties!