Chapter Inspiration: Lose Control by Evanescence

Akiko's eyes fluttered open feeling lightheaded. A hard wood floor was underneath her, lying chest down. As she went to push up and figure out where she was a shlink reached her ears. There was something heavily in place, quickly reaching over to reveal a chain attached to a shackle clamped around an ankle. And it was linked to the floor by a thick bolt, discovering this when the young woman tugged against it. Akiko couldn't understand what was going on. Had Sesshomaru succeeded in capturing her? Was she in the dungeon? Rubbing her arms uncomfortably a hand hit something feeling the wrists and trying not to panic. There were two more shackles in place, but no chains. What that meant she was unsure, and quickly stood. Where was Tobi? Aisu? Kagome? Akiko would even settle for Sesshomaru's monotone voice just to know where she was. An out-stretched hand hit something solid and cool to the touch. Feeling along the edge it made a perfect cube, yet unable to reach the top. Unfortunately it was solid no matter how hard she threw her shoulder against the wall. This wasn't a normal dungeon. There were no bars. "Let me out!" Akiko shouted. "Someone? Anyone!"

Something dropped on top of the young woman's form, the force throwing her to the ground with a gasp. It rushed around her, soaking Akiko immediately as the flow did not stop. Water. Water was flooding this prison and was rising with every passing second. Pulling herself out of the current Akiko began slamming her shoulder against the wall once more. She could feel her power following through her like before in the clearing, yet something was wrong. It wasn't coming out, the ice, and a painful feeling began to arise from the block as she tried forcing it.

"Having trouble?" The voice was not kind, nor familiar and it caused the young woman to pause.

"Who's there?"

"I am known as Naraku."

Instantly the young woman tensed upon recognizing the name. The human who had sold his soul to demons becoming a half-demon himself. He was after the jewel shard in order to become a demon and was the father of many minions that had caused problems for her cousin. "Why am I here?" She was only met with a dark chuckle. "What did you do to me?"

"Do you like those bracelets you're wearing? It's my own design and prevents you from using your powers." The water was now up to Akiko's waist. "You're very intriguing, my dear. When there were tales that someone would take their rightful place on the throne in the north I never expected it to be someone like you. A blind girl from another era. I've been aware of your presence since you entered from the well, and your display against Sesshomaru was interesting. How a human could best his skills and hold him off for the most part. I'm not quite sure how you've managed it during your encounters, but I don't have the time to observe it. The north has no Queen. In the end it will belong to me."

"And now you're going to kill me?"

"I believe it's necessary. You're a threat." Akiko continued to struggle. "But I think a slow killing would amuse me more than putting you out of your misery." She was treading water as it reached the nose, rising with it when the chain stopped. Reaching out the tips of her fingers hit the top trying to force it open. It didn't budge.

"Let me out!" Akiko screamed before the water consumed her head. She barely had enough time to get a proper breath. There was no possible way she would be free without getting loose from the shackle first. Hands wrapping around the chain they tugged on it for dear life, lips pressed tightly together. But she ran out of air, mouth snapping open out of instinct only to choke on the water that rushed in. And Naraku watched as Akiko began to loose consciousness. It would only be a few minutes until the life would leave her completely.

His head turned, feeling a pressure against the barrier created around his current domain. He was no longer alone and grinned. Inuyasha broke through the door, with the others, Tobi, and Aisu following close behind. "Inuyasha what a surprise."

"Akiko!" Kagome screamed, seeing her cousin's body. However, they were stunned when the far side door to the room fell to pieces revealing Sesshomaru as he stalked forward.

"Lord Sesshomaru, what are you doing here?" Naraku questioned. He truly was intrigued by the dog demon's presence, figuring this matter to be beneath him. Though maybe he was more concerned with finishing his battle against this young woman, not one to admit defeat.

Inuyasha ignored the presence of his half-brother, unsheathing his weapon and preparing for an attack. "Hit me, and you kill Akiko in the process," the enemy stated. Naraku was standing directly in front of the barrier that kept her trapped on purpose. The half-breed hesitated and gritted his teeth unsure of what to do. But they were running out of time.

Sesshomaru glared, pulling forth his blade and lunged forward towards the surprised enemy. But he missed Naraku completely as the sharp edge hit the shield that held Akiko and made it shatter to pieces. The water spilled out as Akiko's body pitched forward with the flow. Inuyasha raced forward, blade nearly cutting off Naraku's arm that reached towards the human before he lunged out of the way. The enemy watched as his prisoner came into Sesshomaru's presence, a palm pressing against her chest and forcing the stuck water in the throat out causing Akiko to cough violently. His plan had been foiled, brows narrowing. "We'll meet again," Naraku stated. And he disappeared.

"Coward!" Inuyasha shouted. "Come back here-!"

"Inuyasha!" Kagome's voice stopped him.

"What?"

"Akiko's gone!"

"Again?!" Whirling around the half-demon realized all that was left was the broken chain lying limply on the floor. Sesshomaru was nowhere to be seen. He groaned in annoyance. Why was it so hard to save one human? Even Kagome wasn't this much trouble.

"Where's Tobi and Aisu?" Sango asked.

"They've disappeared as well," Miroku stated.