Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me.

Chapter Five:

Episode Three: Double Jeopardy

"Welcome back loyal viewers! It's another exciting day at Last Man Standing! So far in game only one contestant down, but fear not! Today may be our lucky day! Let's see what our contestants are up to today!"

"When I find that woman I am going to rip off her head and stuf..."

"Inuyasha!"

"What?"

"You can't threaten to murder people on television."

"Maim, Kagome. Maim THEN murder." Inuyasha wheeled around suddenly and pointed at the cameraman. "Did you get that on tape? I'm coming for you! You better hide, little girl!"

Kagome giggled. She couldn't help it. Maybe it was the fact that she was no longer alone. Maybe it was that with Inuyasha here suddenly she knew she was going to survive this whole ordeal. He certainly didn't look frightened or nervous. Or maybe she had finally snapped and had gone insane. Whatever the reason, it was the first time she had felt so good in a long time. Losing his friendship had been like losing a part of her soul. She was barely able to keep from grabbing his hand and skip along like they were in grade school.

"I wouldn't sleep too soundly if I were you either," he warned the cameramen, who gulped loudly and took a couple steps back.

She wanted to scold him. Really. But she knew that if she opened her mouth she'd never stop laughing. His eyes smiled at her, but his mouth continued to frown. She tried to school her own features into a stern frown, but couldn't manage it. So instead she merrily waved to the camera and turned towards the direction Inuyasha had come. They were going to find the well and get home. She could almost taste nice juicy hot cheeseburgers and smooth chocolate milk shakes. OH! And to comb her hair! That would be heaven! And they were just within her grasp. Surely they would reach the well by lunchtime, then it was just one jump (according to Inuyasha) and she would be back at home.

Naturally the first thing Kagome wanted to as Inuyasha as they started walking was why the heck he started avoiding her and where had he been. She glanced at him, the question on the tip of her tongue, but she held back. Having The Discussion on television in front of millions (billions?) of viewers seemed to just reek of bad idea. He was back. Maybe that should be enough. At least for now. Once they got back to the shrine she'd grill him for information if she had to tie him to the god tree. Whatever was wrong, they'd fix it. Whatever happened they could get over. She wasn't letting him get away now that she had him again.

"Oh for.... Just ask! Quit looking at me from the corner of your eye. It's creeping me out!"

Kagome couldn't help it, she smacked him on the arm.

"I'm trying to respect your feelings," she griped.

"What???"

She glanced at the cameras then back at him. She spoke in a low quiet voice. "We have an audience you know."

"Want me to kill them?" He, however, did not speak in a quiet voice.

Tempting. Very tempting. And she could have sworn she heard a whimper from behind them. Just for kicks she was sorely tempted to say yes and 'sic 'em boy!” just to see their reactions. That would teach them to give her no privacy. Maybe she'd finally be able to have a bath. All this walking and running must make her absolutely reek. It was a wonder Inuyasha could stand close to her with his sensitive nose. Halfway through a daydream about bubble baths Kagome realized that Inuyasha was still waiting for her to answer.

"Um... no. No, of course not." She gave them an encouraging smile. "Not yet," she mumbled, making her companion laugh.

"So ask already. They're so far away they can't pick up anything now."

"But..."

"ASK."

"FINE! Just where in th..."

The question was cut short by a scream. Chills ran up Kagome's spine. It was a human scream. And it was close.

"Later," Inuyasha said as he grabbed her arm. "Let's get out of here."

Kagome pulled her arm away. "But the screams are coming from that direction," she pointed in the opposite direction Inuyasha was heading.

"Demons Kagome. What do you think is making him scream? Let's go."

"We can't just leave him!"

Inuyasha cocked his head to the side and looked at her like she had finally lost all her senses. Then his eyes gentled and he put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. At least that was what she thought he was doing. He patted her shoulder a couple times then scooped her up and started running away from the screams.

"We have to help!"

"He's a criminal, Kagome. It's his fate. That's why he's on this show."

"I am on this show too. Is that my fate?"

Inuyasha swore and slowed to a stop. He looked away from her as he set her feet on the ground. He folded his arms and took a few deep breaths while muttering to himself. Finally he turned back to Kagome with blazing gold eyes.

"You would be risking your life to help a stranger. A criminal."

Kagome's voice was strangled as she tried to talk past the sob threatening to come out. "I can't stand around and let someone die. I can't...."

Punching the ground, Inuyasha swore some more. Then he stayed in a crouched position, lowered his head, and sighed.

"Fine. Climb on. Let's go get ourselves killed."

"That's the spirit!"

Jumping up on him, Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Once again she wished that she hadn't been nabbed in her school uniform. Jerks. She hoped her mom was suing their pants off. That was her last thought before she was left breathless.

Holding on to Inuyasha while he was running at full speed was like nothing imaginable. It was so fast! The world was a blur. It made the rollercoasters she'd been on seem like baby choo choo rides. It stole her breath and she held on tighter. Her heart raced and she felt the inexplicable urge to laugh and squeal. Though considering where they were heading, that could be inappropriate. But at least they lost their cameramen for awhile.

The urge to laugh died as Inuyasha slowed and she saw the scene in front of them. Several demons were destroying the clearing, and a man lay dead in their midst. In many pieces. A few pieces were being dined on by some kind of boar demon. Kagome inhaled sharply and hid her face in Inuyasha's hair. She tried very hard not to throw up.

"It's not too late to turn back," he said gently. "There's still time."

Death…. She’d never seen death before. Not really. On television or movies death wasn’t so… real. It was quickly forgotten, simply an element to tell a story. But this…. This was devastating. The smell of blood made her gag. She was shaking. This man had been alive only a few minutes ago. He had a life. Maybe a family. He had a future. And now… now he’s dead. Everything was taken from him. Everything. It was a stupid death. A senseless death. Kagome prayed that Souta wasn’t watching. When she got home she’d make sure he never watched another reality television show. Never!

All she wanted was to go home. She just wanted Inuyasha to take her home. She wanted to crawl in her own bed and cry for a week.

“Inu…”

Another man's scream closed her mouth and made up her mind. They had to save the other man. They had to save who they could. They couldn’t run away. With eyes full of tears Kagome shook her head. She didn't trust herself to speak. So silently she followed Inuyasha as he ran towards the demons with his sword drawn. She readied her bow as she ran.

Inuyasha's sword ripped through three demons before Kagome caught up to him. She grabbed an arrow and aimed it between the eyes of the largest demon. This time she wasn't so surprised when it sparkled pink. She was a little startled, however, to find that even the sparks from the arrow seemed to eat at the demons it passed like acid. Pink sparkly acid.

The man continued to scream, begging for help. Kagome saw Inuyasha fighting his way towards the demon that had him. He wouldn't make it in time. But she could. Quickly she drew another arrow and pulled back the bowstring.

Kagome's tried to keep her panic at bay when the screaming stopped. She couldn't break down now. With a shaking breath and trembling fingers she let the arrow fly. She couldn't bring herself to look at what was left of the last demon. The one holding the man. The very silent man. She was grateful when Inuyasha made short work of the rest of the demons. The demons disappeared in a blast of dust, but what remained of the man fell to the ground. Kagome dropped to her knees and hugged her stomach.

And screamed.

She couldn't stop. It was too much. It was all too much. Her hands went to her eyes, she might have clawed out her own eyes if her hands weren't taken from her face.

Warm arms surrounded her, effectively trapping her arms to her sides.

"Shhh Kagome. Shhhhh." He rocked her gently until the screaming stopped. She was lifted from the ground, and her head was held facing Inuyasha's chest. "Don't look. Okay? Just don't look."

She didn't.

Absently she noticed that he managed to grab her bow and arrows. She heard the rustling in the leaves as the cameramen got their shots of the carnage and the voice of the announcer coming from someone's portable television. Her eyes squeezed shut, trying to block the image of the slain men from her mind. What kind of monsters were these men? Who would make such a show? And how could that announcer make it seem like some sort of prize that two men died so horrible. Double the excitement! Double the pleasure! She was sick!!! What was WRONG with her? With all of them?

"I wanna go home," Kagome whispered as she held on to her friend tighter.

"I'll keep you safe, Kagome," Inuyasha whispered back. "I swear it.

ooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo

Author's Note: I want to thank the very kind people who are so supportive and who make writing a joy. You know who you are! *smiles*