Okay, so... I haven't been dead or anything. I was just... floating around in the abyss. School just sort of ruins any chance of FunTime.

But, anyway, here's chapter six. I DON'T OWN INUYASHA.

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Kouga shot a glance at his companions- Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippo. He sighed; they all looked tired, even Kirara, and he'd be lying if he said that he, too, was not exhausted as well.

It was late. Perhaps a short break was in order...? After all, the Band of Seven wouldn't kill Kagome, would they? Her ability to sense the jewel shards was too valuable to them. She'd be okay...

Kouga shook his head. They couldn't stop! Her being with the Band of Seven meant she was in danger. He could just imagine those horrible zombies abusing his poor Kagome mercilessly, her pained expression... crying for help... calling his name...

"Kouga."

Kouga looked up at Sango. She sighed.

"I think it's time for a short rest," she said. "We've been searching nonstop."

"I agree." Miroku stopped and sat down against a rock. "If we work ourselves to the point of exhaustion, what good will we be to Kagome when we find her?"

The others mumbled in agreement and stopped, and Kouga reluctantly slumped against a tree. He stared up at the night sky, not listening to the others as they began to devise a plan, talking softly together. He felt so useless, sitting here, almost dozing, while Kagome could be anywhere. He closed his eyes and began to slip into a restless slumber.

"Kouga? Did you hear me-" Sango cut herself off, realizing that he was asleep. "Oh."

"He's been pushing himself so hard," Miroku tsked, shaking his head. "He really does care for Kagome."

Inuyasha scoffed and leaned back against the tree, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. "Stupid delusional wolf..."

Of course Inuyasha would never admit it, or at least say it aloud, but he, too, was worried about Kagome. A heavy ache formed in the pit of his stomach each time he even thought of the danger she could be in. A shaky sigh escaped his lips.

Damn those zombie bastards. I'll kill every single one of them for touching Kagome.

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Most of the village was burning to the ground, engulfed in flames that seemed to dance along to Bankotsu's loud and almost manic laughter. Kagome curled up on the ground and covered her eyes at the sight of a small child that was missing their head; she plugged her ears to avoid hearing the terrified screams of the villagers.

The only building not burning was the biggest house in the village. That was where the Band of Seven planned to stay for the night. The next morning, Kagome knew they'd burn it to the ground just like the rest of the buildings and leave with a giddy feeling in their stomachs. She wanted to throw up.

Rough hands dragged her to her feet, but Kagome did not move. She instead coughed, gagging at the taste of smoke that filled her lungs, and kept her eyes covered. She did not want to see the destruction. The same hands pried her fingers from her eyes and shoved her in a random direction, but Kagome simply squeezed her eyes shut and stood stock still.

Exasperated, Bankotsu picked her up and started towards the headman's home, which was the biggest house in the village. The remaining members of the Band of Seven followed him dutifully, laughing and joking loudly.

Kagome gagged again.

"Don't you throw up on me!" Bankotsu barked. Kagome swallowed back the bile that was rising up her throat. "Damn. You can't tell me you've never seen a dead body before, or a burning village."

"I've never burnt a village down for fun, or murdered everyone living inside for no reason!" Kagome snapped hoarsely. "You're despicable!"

Bankotsu laughed at her, sliding the door to the house open wide. Kagome opened her eyes warily.

The village headman and his family stared back fearfully, gulping at the sight of Bankotsu's Banryuu, Jakotsu's Jakotsuto, and Suikotsu's claws, all of which dripped with blood.

"I hope you don't mind us staying here for the night," Bankotsu purred smoothly, smirking.

"Please... p-please, just leave us alone," the headman pleaded, doing his best to stand protectively in front of his wife and two daughters. "I beg of you... don't hurt us... please..."

The wife screamed when her husband's head was sent rolling across the floor. She shoved his limp body away, swiping at the blood that was splattered across her face. Kagome covered her eyes again.

"You two." Bankotsu motioned at the wife and one of her daughters with his Banryuu. "Make us dinner, and make it good. You." He looked to the last daughter. "Give us rooms for the night."

Kagome peeked through her fingers at the headless body on the floor, and gagged again.

Later that night, she found herself lying on the floor in a room with Bankotsu, staring blankly at a meal that she couldn't bring herself to eat.

"You'd better start eating," Bankotsu said, waving his chopsticks at her. "You might not get anything else for a while."

Kagome reluctantly sat up and began to eat, avoiding Bankotsu's midnight blue eyes. She knew he was smirking at her. She felt her skin crawl.

When she was finished- or couldn't force any more food into her bubbling stomach- she dropped her chopsticks and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms.

Then, suddenly, she felt warm breath brushing her lips and looked up... straight into Bankotsu's malicious, glinting eyes.

"You're such an impudent, sassy little wench," he snarled, lips twitching with that evil smirk. "I like it."

Kagome felt her heart stop. Her eyes darted around- there was no escape. Bankotsu's arms were in the way.

What would he do to her?

Then, Bankotsu stood and backed away from her, sneering down at her for a moment before he left the room. She took in a shaking breath, running a hand through her hair.

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Early in the morning, Kouga was awakened by the smell of smoke. It wasn't near, but it wasn't far, and he knew immediately- the Band of Seven.

"Inuyasha!"

Amber eyes glared at him. "What the hell do you want?"

"Smoke and the Band of Seven. Do you smell it?"

Inuyasha took a deep breath. "Yeah... That means..."

Minutes later, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara had been shaken awake. Kirara had transformed, and the six of them took off towards the smoky smell.

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Alright, that felt good. Now REVIEW!