When the two men arrived at the abandoned mansion, Sesshomaru had to admit to himself that the fox was right. The enchantments were exceptionally strong, and without his bond to Kagome, he never would have been able to track her. Even her scent had been hidden by her captors, though he didn't know how that was even possible.

Without a word, he crossed the courtyard like a deadly wind, drawing his sword and cutting down the first guard before they even felt his presence. He turned towards the second guard, but stopped as he watched the kitsune hold the garrote to the creature's neck until it sank to the ground. The kit looked up at him and nodded.

Then, he felt it. A small stirring of their connection, which grew in force until it almost overwhelmed him for a moment.

"Sesshomaru-sama?" Shippo whispered, concerned over the youkai's dazed look.

"This way," he replied and stalked in the direction of his miko.

xxxx

Hiten recoiled in horror as his brother burned into ash, destroyed by the girl.

Kagome slumped to the floor as the energy left her in one great burst. Then, to her surprise, Inuyasha leapt to his feet, grabbed her, and ran for the door. He was still weak and injured, but somehow managed it. The demon, momentarily paralyzed from the shock, suddenly let out a howl.

"Brother! I will avenge you!"

"Got any more bright ideas, Kagome-chan?" Inuyasha asked as he carted her down the hall in the direction he hoped was an exit.

"Go left," she said weakly. She could feel a tug, as if she were being guided, but her head was too fuzzy to understand what she was being guided to. Not to Naraku, she was sure of that. Her head throbbed.

Inuyasha turned left at the next intersection, and went through the double doors. At the center of the room was Sesshomaru, his sword gleaming with the blood of the demons who laid dead or dying at his feet. He looked up and his eyes started to tinge with red as they fell on Inuyasha and Kagome. "You!"

"No, wait!" Kagome cried, but before she could get any further, lightning crackled down the hall towards the two of them. Inuyasha threw them both to the side of the hallway, protecting her from the worst of the fall with his own body.

Hiten, his form more monstrous than his brother's had ever been, stalked into the room, his naginata gripped in both hands.

His gaze fell on Sesshomaru, and he sneered.

"Ah, it seems you're early to the party. You were supposed to find the girl dead in the arms of your half-brother. Pity. But I like the idea of killing all of you myself better."

Sesshomaru's lip twitched up into a smirk. "Are you so confident that you'll win?"

Hiten's eyes narrowed, and he barred shark-like teeth. "I think we all know who the cocky one is." Then he sprang towards Sesshomaru, slicing down on him with his Naginata.

Sesshomaru sidestepped the blow as it scattered bodies across the room.

Sesshomaru continued to dodged, watching his opponent's movement. Then, an opening! In one graceful movement, he brought his sword around and down, and Hiten's head rolled. Sesshomaru straightened and looked over at Kagome.

He walked towards her, stopping feet away, and looked into her eyes.

"Sesshomaru... I'm sorry..." she started to explain, but he cut her off as he pulled her against his chest.

"I was frightened that something had happened to you."

She clung to him."I fought with my reiki and destroyed one of the Thunder Brothers, but..."

Sesshomaru stroked her hair. "And I destroyed the other. You did well, my heart." Then he slid his hand up under chin and raised her face. As he bent down to kiss her...

"Ah, man! Can you two get a room already?!" Inuyasha sniped. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed.

"Kagome, is there a reason that I shouldn't simply kill him now?"

Kagome turned towards the hanyou, and was surprised to find him back to an appearance of white hair, ears, and face markings. It was dawn. "Where's Kikyo?" she asked.

The Inu Hanyou looked away and his ears fell. "She's dead."

xxxx

Author's Note: Gomen! I'm sorry that I haven't updated in forever. Life kinda happened (new job, moved states, etc.). But with some more recent changes, I'm trying to get back into writing more regularly.

Taskete is a cry for help, and gets translated as "Rescue me!" or "Help me!". In past tense form, it's often used as a form of "Wow, you really saved me there!"