Somehow, Lyra had managed to strengthen her will against Itachi's manipulation. She may have fallen into his trap before but there was that single thing that now shielded her; love. It seemed so cliche but love was her strength against him. She was so in love with Sesshomaru that there was no room for his darkness to seep into her heart. She had forgot about it before but Rin had reminded her of it. That was the small push she needed.

When Itachi had taken her, she pretended to fall under his spell again. She detested herself for pretending to be in love with him but it was what she had to do. She could see it in his eyes. If she didn't succumb to his will, he would have killed her. She couldn't put Sesshomaru through that when all he wanted was to keep her alive. When the time came, she would simply beg him for forgiveness. It had already been three days since she was taken but somehow she was managing to stop Itachi from having sex with her. The furthest he had managed to get was her shoulders. She wouldn't allow him further than that. His words echoed in her mind. 'Once you and I have made love, no power in the world can take you from me.'

Just the night previous, he had tried to undress her but she pretended to be tired. To pacify him, she had forced herself to cuddle against him. It was working at least. She could tell he was beginning to grow angry and frustrated though. It wouldn't be long before he did something drastic.

It was morning and Itachi was still fast asleep. Lyra had to take that opportunity to escape, or at the very least find out where the hell she was. She had learned the pattern of his sleep and she still had some time left before he woke up. She carefully moved his arm from around her waist. He began to stir causing her to freeze. Her heart jumped into her throat and she stared at him, praying he didn't wake up. She breathed out in relief as he grew still again.

Slowly, she stood up and snuck out as quietly as possible. It was warm and sunny out, but it wasn't something she could enjoy whilst being imprisoned. And everything was silent. So silent that it almost hurt her ears. Without wasting any time, she began walking away from the hut in the direction she thought was right. She had to trust her instinct. Once she made it to the line of trees surrounding the land, she could feel herself walking through an invisible barrier. She had never made it that far before. Itachi was always there whenever she was outside and he made sure she stayed within the border. 'This must be it. I've made it out of his barrier.' She silently rejoiced. Hopefully Sesshomaru would be able to catch her scent from wherever he was.

With her hopes built, she continued walking but with a bit more speed in her step. She suddenly skidded to a stop though. She had to be clever about it. There was the chance that Itachi would go after her once he discovered she was gone. Touching her necklace, she closed her eyes. The last thing she wanted was for him to search for her. But she needed to think ahead just for the possibility.

It pained her to do it but it had to be done. She unclasped the hook of her necklace and took it off. Gazing at it longingly in her hands, she hoped her plan would work. She brought it up to her lips and placed a kiss on it. 'Please let this work. Become a beacon for Sesshomaru.' She gripped onto it and looked ahead. With as much force as possible, she threw it as far as she could into the trees. She watched it as it seemed to fly through the trees, the stones glittering as the sun hit against it.

"Lyra."

She jumped at the extra voice and quickly turned around. Her breathing hitched in her throat.

"Itachi..." she breathed out.

There was a small frown on his face as he made his way towards her. Each step he took seemed like an extra ten years was being added onto her imprisonment. She gulped quietly once he stopped in front of her.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked, his tone clearly displeased.

It was time to put on her act. She clutched onto his shirt and buried her face into his chest.

"Oh, Itachi! I'm so glad you're here!" She pretended to shiver from fright. "I was so scared. I wanted to come out for a walk but I didn't want to disturb you. So I came out by myself and got lost." She feigned a sob. "I couldn't find my way back."

He listened to her but the frown still stayed. "I told you not to go outside without my permission. If that dog finds you, I'll have to kill him. You know that."

She nodded. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Moving his hand to the back of her head, he grabbed large tufts of her hair and pulled her head back. She winced from the pain and looked up at him. The power in his eyes seemed even stronger as he bore into her own eyes.

"Next time, I won't be so merciful," he threatened. "Do you understand?"

"Y-yes, my love..."

His eyes softened as he loosened his grip on her hair. He then pulled her into him and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Please take me home, Itachi," she said.

It was all only to make him believe she was still under his control. With his arm around her waist, he led her back to the hut behind the barrier. As they walked back, she could feel his fingers digging into her side. He obviously wasn't happy but Itachi still fell for her act.

Once they were back in the hut, Lyra went and sat beside the small fireplace in the middle of the room. No fire was lit but she still kept her eyes focused on it. Itachi made himself comfortable behind her, his legs on either side of her. Her eyes closed from disgust as she felt his hands on her stomach.

"This will be your way to make it up to me," he leaned into her ear and whispered. "For going against my wishes."

She mentally cringed as she felt his cold hands push under her shirt and touch her skin. 'Stay strong, Lyra. Just think of Sesshomaru and stay strong.'

***

Sesshomaru didn't rest even once. He refused to. Naraku and the Band of Seven were at low priority. He wouldn't even think of them until he got Lyra back. Everyone had been searching for Lyra but unfortunately, Inuyasha and the others had short run ins with members of the Band of Seven. Sesshomaru had been searching all through the night but to no avail.

As much as the brothers couldn't stand one another, Inuyasha felt sorry for him. Witnessing Sesshomaru's plight had made him wonder what he would have done if it was Kagome who had been taken.

As morning arrived, everyone had rendezvoused as planned. He had left Rin in Kagome's care, having only taken Jaken with him. The girl was already worried for Lyra and needed to rest.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin called as he walked over to them.

Kagome sighed, worrying for her cousin. "It's been three days and we still haven't found her."

"Don't lose hope, Kagome," Sango said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Sesshomaru turned away from the group, trying to figure out what he had missed. Were there any clues he had completely brushed over? His eyes closed. He couldn't understand how Itachi was able to snatch everything away so easily.

Suddenly, something hit his senses. He opened his eyes and looked straight ahead, his eyes narrowing.

"That scent," he spoke aloud.

Inuyasha appeared beside him, looking in the same direction. "Wait... That's Lyra's scent!"

"What?!" Kagome and the others went to them. "Are you sure it's her?"

"I'm positive!" Inuyasha turned to his brother. "You can sense it too, right?"

Sesshomaru gave a single nod. "It's her."

Before any time could be wasted, Sesshomaru flew up into the air and left. Kagome jumped onto Inuyasha's back, Sango, Miroku and Shippo climbed onto Kirara whilst Rin and Jaken rushed to A-Un. Everyone went at full speed following Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's lead.

Sesshomaru sped up. Lyra's scent was close but it was slowly fading. He had to get to her before it completely disappeared. The location of the scent was quite a far distance from where they had just been. They all travelled through and above the trees as the scent was pinpointed to one specific location. It seemed as though they were travelling for a long time before Sesshomaru descended back to the ground.

The others caught up to him shortly after as he searched the area within the forest. 'Her scent is near...'

"She's not here..." Rin said, disheartened after her hopes had risen.

Miroku climbed off Kirara's back. "I can sense an ominous aura nearby."

"Me too," Kagome confirmed as she got down to her feet. "It's strong."

Inuyasha clenched his fist. "She's gotta be here!"

As everyone became confused, something had caught Sesshomaru's eye. A faint twinkle within the trees. It was as if it was calling him. Guiding him. He walked in that direction, catching everyone's attention. He didn't go far before he came to a stop.

On the ground at the base of a tree lay Lyra's necklace. The very necklace he had given her.

Kagome rushed over. "That's Lyra's!" she gasped. "But why is it there?"

"She's showing me the way," Sesshomaru responded. "It's a clue to her whereabouts."

He picked it up from the ground and stared at it in his hand. 'I know this was meant for me, Lyra. I'm coming.' He walked over to Rin and gave it to her to keep safe, which she gladly took the responsibility for.

"What the hell does that mean?" Inuyasha asked.

Sesshomaru frowned and turned towards a particular direction. "Her scent is still fresh on the necklace and in this area. She was here not so long ago."

"Do you think she tried to escape?" Shippo asked.

"It's possible," Miroku answered. "But how would she have been able to? Shapeshifters don't usually allow their victims to venture away from them. Why would Itachi let her go?"

"It could be a trap," Sango added. "A way to distract us."

"No," Sesshomaru spoke, making everyone turn to him. "The necklace is Lyra's guidance. It's her way of showing that we're on the right track."

He looked down to the root of the tree where the necklace had been. It had been facing towards the left. 'Is that the direction I must follow?' Sesshomaru's entire faith and hope was put on the off chance that Lyra was sending him a message. He just hoped he was right. She had already been so far gone under Itachi's control the last time he had seen her. Could it truly be that she had escaped his grasp somehow?

***

"Itachi, please..." Lyra sighed out as she clenched her eyes shut.

Itachi moaned as he kissed her neck. He had her pinned to the ground, his hands holding down her wrists and his legs holding down her own. He had managed to take off her shirt and push her to the ground.

Before that, she had tried to push him away by putting on an act that she was shy and embarrassed. It had worked all that time but Itachi was getting annoyed. So he was going to do it his way. He was going to force her. It was the only way he could ensure that she wasn't going to run away. She had strayed too far from the barrier earlier because she went outside without his permission. Because of that, he was going to make sure she never did it again. Once his seed had filled her, she would be under his control for the rest of her life.

Lyra struggled to get away from him. He didn't look it but he was incredibly strong. She could barely even move. His face was buried into her neck and the feeling disgusted her. He was trying to leave marks on her skin but she was making it difficult by moving her head to block him.

"Stop moving!" he growled, lifting his head and grabbing hold of her face as he squeezed her cheeks.

She gasped and looked at him. "I'm not ready, my love..."

He moved his hand down to her throat. "I'll make you ready."

Her eyes widened at the connotation behind his words and actions. The look in his eyes and the smirk on his face were that of a monster. She couldn't do it anymore. She didn't care if he killed her but she wasn't going to allow him to force himself on her. Closing her eyes, she took hold of his wrist as he still held her throat. 'I'm sorry, Sesshomaru...'

Suddenly, everything began rattling in the hut. The ground shook causing her eyes to snap open again. Itachi looked to the door with a scowl.

"It can't be," he growled.

He let go of her and stood up before making his way to the door. Lyra was grateful for whatever it was. Itachi seemed stressed but she was glad she was freed for the time being.

"Dammit!" Itachi seethed.

Lyra sat up and quickly found her shirt. "What is it?"

He didn't look at her. "Stay inside," he ordered.

Before she could say anything more, he left the hut. Lyra put her clothes back on and rushed to the door to take a peak at what was happening. Her eyes widened in shock. Outside, Itachi was facing against Sesshomaru. She just hoped she wasn't dreaming. All she wanted to do was run out to him but she didn't know what Itachi would do if she did.

"I'm surprised you were able to find my hideout, Sesshomaru," Itachi spoke first but he remained confident with a smirk on his face.

Sesshomaru unsheathed his Tokijin getting straight to the point. "Where is she?"

"Don't you worry. She's safe and sound with me. In fact, she's forgotten all about you." Itachi paced smugly. "Lyra and I will breed and the world will slowly be full of my kind once more."

Lyra gasped quietly as Itachi revealed his true intentions. He wanted her to birth his offspring. Just the thought of it made her sick.

Sesshomaru glared, narrowing his eyes. "It's time for you to die. Your rotten species will become extinct by my hand."

"I'd like to see you try, mutt."

The words Itachi spoke to her earlier that day resonated in her mind. 'If that dog finds you, I'll have to kill him.' That thought alone scared her. She didn't know what he was capable of doing. It made her wonder if he really was strong enough to kill Sesshomaru. The chances seemed unlikely but she didn't want to take the chance. Looking out from behind the door, she saw Sesshomaru ready to attack. Her eyes widened at the look on Itachi's face. 'He was preparing for this...'

She thought back to a time just the day before. Itachi would constantly brag about how strong he was. 'If Sesshomaru did ever find us and try to kill me, his body would absorb into my own flesh. There is only one way to kill a Shapeshifter...' She had to stop him.

As Sesshomaru ran towards Itachi to slay him, Lyra ran out of the hut.

"NO!!" she shouted.

She placed herself in between them, standing in front of Itachi with her back to him and her arms out as if she was shielding him. Sesshomaru's eyes widened at her sudden appearance and came to an abrupt stop. The tip of his blade fell just an inch short of piercing through her stomach. A deep frown formed on his face as he lowered his sword. The smirk on Itachi's face only angered him more. It seemed as though Itachi knew Lyra would rush out to protect him.

It was then that she noticed that Sesshomaru hadn't come alone. Kagome gasped aloud as she thought Lyra was almost about to get killed whilst the others watched in shock. It was lucky that Sesshomaru's reflexes were quick and Lyra knew that he would stop in time.

"We're too late," Miroku spoke quietly.

"She put herself in harm's way to protect him," Sango said in disbelief.

Kagome watched with worry, gripping onto Inuyasha's sleeve. "No..."

Sesshomaru stared at Lyra. He was absolutely shocked at her actions. She could see the emotions flowing through his eyes; the sadness and anger. But she couldn't let him do it. Itachi would have absorbed Sesshomaru into his body. Itachi's ego was still big as he stood behind Lyra. Her eyes were focused on Sesshomaru's though. Knowing that Itachi couldn't see her face, she winked at Sesshomaru.

That was all he needed.

It was Sesshomaru's turn to smirk. Itachi's smug expression dropped at the confidence he saw on Sesshomaru's face. His confusion only grew as Lyra lowered her arms and stepped forward.

"I knew you would find me," she said as tears of joy welled up in her eyes.

"What?!" Itachi yelled.

Ignoring him, Lyra held Sesshomaru's face and tiptoed up before kissing his lips deeply. Itachi was completely horrified as he watched the two share a love filled kiss in front of him. Inuyasha, Kagome and the others were shocked as well but they were glad she was out of his capture.

Itachi growled. "That's impossible!"

The two parted and gazed at each other. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was safe. Sesshomaru was with her. Kagome, Rin and everyone else was with her. She turned to look at Itachi who was seething with rage.

"If you want to live, take my advice." She smiled. "Run."