The Darkest Hour-- Part III

“What are you waiting for, you mangy cat?” Inuyasha taunted. “Come and get it.”

A woman laughed, drawing the couple’s attention. “Save your breath, dog boy. It will obey only me.”

“Yeah? And just who the hell are you?”

“You can call me Hantako. However, I have no business with you, half-breed. It’s the girl I want.”

“Over my dead body,” he growled.

Her yellow-green eyes gleamed. “That can be managed.”

The panther turned and lunged for Kagome. The young priestess froze, unable to will herself to dodge the animal. Suddenly it halted, collapsing unto the ground.

She watched a large red pool form underneath it before glancing at Inuyasha. He held his transformed sword in front of him, ready for another attack. He didn’t have to wait long.

Three new panthers emerged, charging toward the pair. Inuyasha quickly killed one before moving on to the next one. However, it left the third panther free to attack.

“Kagome, get your bow!”

She scrambled for it. She had just grabbed the arrow when the panther got to her. Easily knocking her to the ground, it held her there by her shoulder. Its claws dug into her skin, making her cry out in pain.

“Kagome! Hang on!”

Inuyasha moved to get to her but the panther he was fighting blocked his way. He attacked with his sword. However, the cat nimbly dodged the blade before blocking Inuyasha’s way once more.

Kagome heard his cursing, realizing that he couldn’t come to her aid. Tightening her grip on the arrow in her hand, she jabbed it upwards. The creature screeched in pain as blood poured down her arm.

Ignoring the pain in her shoulders, Kagome attacked the soft underbelly of the panther again and again. The cat’s screams weakened with its body. She tried to push the dying animal off of her as the weight began to crush her.

Just as she began to struggle to breathe, the weight was suddenly thrown off of her. She opened eyes she didn’t know she had closed, expecting to see Inuyasha. Instead she found the woman, Hantako.

“You are a resourceful one,” she said, pulling Kagome off the ground by her hair. “What other surprises do you have?”

* * * * *

“Faster, Kilala!” There was no change in the cat’s speed. “Come on, faster!”

“She’s going as fast as she can, Sango!”

The demon exterminator tightened her grip on Kilala. She knew that she was driving her friend hard, possibly too hard. Yet, her instincts were screaming that Kagome was in serious danger.

“Inuyasha has had to have reached her by now,” Miroku said, his tone soothing. “He will protect her.”

She wanted desperately to believe the priest. However, there were things in these woods more powerful than Inuyasha. Most would not pass up a chance at obtaining the jewel shards.

Her musings were interrupted by the sight of a familiar landmark. “I see the well. We’re here.”

* * * * *

Kagome plunged the arrow deep into Hantako’s leg. Screaming in pain, the demon released her, dropping the young priestess to the ground. She quickly found her feet and began to run toward Inuyasha.

He was still battling the panther. Yet, he had risked a look around at when Hantako screamed. He couldn’t believe that Kagome was running toward him and the forest.

“The well, you idiot! Run to the well!”

Kagome fought the urge to yell at him as she changed directions. She would make him sit a hundred times later. But the well was the topmost thing in her mind.

Suddenly Hantako was in front of her. She twisted a hand in the young priestess’s hair, yanking on it painfully. “Enough of this. Kira, stop!”

The panther released a bleeding Inuyasha and ran to its mistress. Inuyasha struggled to his feet, staring at Hantako coldly. He made a move to rush her but she jerked Kagome’s head, causing the girl to cry out. He immediately halted.

“So, you’re not as dumb as you look, dog boy.”

He sneered. “Let her go and I may just let you live.”

“You’re no match for my panthers, let alone me. Anyway, I have no use for you. I merely want your shard detector.”

She smiled at him. “Besides, why would a half-breed like you need the sacred jewel? To become a full demon?” She pulled Kagome’s head again, making her yelp in pain. “To become human, maybe for her?”

“I said let her go!”

Hantako laughed. She jumped on the panther, pulling Kagome with her. Inuyasha moved toward her but a claw to the girl’s throat stopped him.

“I’ll kill you if it’s the last thing I do,” he vowed.

The demon smiled. “Hardly.”

The panther moved to leave. Panic flashed in Kagome’s eyes as she began to thrash in a desperate effort to get free. Hantako slapped her, making Inuyasha’s blood boil.

“Inuyasha!”

“Kagome!”

The girl threw her hands toward him as if she could reach him. He ran forward in spite of himself, but they were already leaving, disappearing into the forest.

Something hit him gently in the chest. He caught it out of reflex and looked down. In his hand, he held Kagome’s jewel shards.


Part III “What are you waiting for, you mangy cat?” Inuyasha taunted. “Come and get it.” A woman laughed, drawing the couple’s attention. “Save your breath, dog boy. It will obey only me.” “Yeah? And just who the hell are you?” “You can call me Hantako. However, I have no business with you, half-breed. It’s the girl I want.” “Over my dead body,” he growled. Her yellow-green eyes gleamed. “That can be managed.” The panther turned and lunged for Kagome. The young priestess froze, unable to will herself to dodge the animal. Suddenly it halted, collapsing unto the ground. She watched a large red pool form underneath it before glancing at Inuyasha. He held his transformed sword in front of him, ready for another attack. He didn’t have to wait long. Three new panthers emerged, charging toward the pair. Inuyasha quickly killed one before moving on to the next one. However, it left the third panther free to attack. “Kagome, get your bow!” She scrambled for it. She had just grabbed the arrow when the panther got to her. Easily knocking her to the ground, it held her there by her shoulder. Its claws dug into her skin, making her cry out in pain. “Kagome! Hang on!” Inuyasha moved to get to her but the panther he was fighting blocked his way. He attacked with his sword. However, the cat nimbly dodged the blade before blocking Inuyasha’s way once more. Kagome heard his cursing, realizing that he couldn’t come to her aid. Tightening her grip on the arrow in her hand, she jabbed it upwards. The creature screeched in pain as blood poured down her arm. Ignoring the pain in her shoulders, Kagome attacked the soft underbelly of the panther again and again. The cat’s screams weakened with its body. She tried to push the dying animal off of her as the weight began to crush her. Just as she began to struggle to breathe, the weight was suddenly thrown off of her. She opened eyes she didn’t know she had closed, expecting to see Inuyasha. Instead she found the woman, Hantako. “You are a resourceful one,” she said, pulling Kagome off the ground by her hair. “What other surprises do you have?” * * * * * “Faster, Kilala!” There was no change in the cat’s speed. “Come on, faster!” “She’s going as fast as she can, Sango!” The demon exterminator tightened her grip on Kilala. She knew that she was driving her friend hard, possibly too hard. Yet, her instincts were screaming that Kagome was in serious danger. “Inuyasha has had to have reached her by now,” Miroku said, his tone soothing. “He will protect her.” She wanted desperately to believe the priest. However, there were things in these woods more powerful than Inuyasha. Most would not pass up a chance at obtaining the jewel shards. Her musings were interrupted by the sight of a familiar landmark. “I see the well. We’re here.” * * * * * Kagome plunged the arrow deep into Hantako’s leg. Screaming in pain, the demon released her, dropping the young priestess to the ground. She quickly found her feet and began to run toward Inuyasha. He was still battling the panther. Yet, he had risked a look around at when Hantako screamed. He couldn’t believe that Kagome was running toward him and the forest. “The well, you idiot! Run to the well!” Kagome fought the urge to yell at him as she changed directions. She would make him sit a hundred times later. But the well was the topmost thing in her mind. Suddenly Hantako was in front of her. She twisted a hand in the young priestess’s hair, yanking on it painfully. “Enough of this. Kira, stop!” The panther released a bleeding Inuyasha and ran to its mistress. Inuyasha struggled to his feet, staring at Hantako coldly. He made a move to rush her but she jerked Kagome’s head, causing the girl to cry out. He immediately halted. “So, you’re not as dumb as you look, dog boy.” He sneered. “Let her go and I may just let you live.” “You’re no match for my panthers, let alone me. Anyway, I have no use for you. I merely want your shard detector.” She smiled at him. “Besides, why would a half-breed like you need the sacred jewel? To become a full demon?” She pulled Kagome’s head again, making her yelp in pain. “To become human, maybe for her?” “I said let her go!” Hantako laughed. She jumped on the panther, pulling Kagome with her. Inuyasha moved toward her but a claw to the girl’s throat stopped him. “I’ll kill you if it’s the last thing I do,” he vowed. The demon smiled. “Hardly.” The panther moved to leave. Panic flashed in Kagome’s eyes as she began to thrash in a desperate effort to get free. Hantako slapped her, making Inuyasha’s blood boil. “Inuyasha!” “Kagome!” The girl threw her hands toward him as if she could reach him. He ran forward in spite of himself, but they were already leaving, disappearing into the forest. Something hit him gently in the chest. He caught it out of reflex and looked down. In his hand, he held Kagome’s jewel shards.


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