InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beautiful Miscommunications ❯ Obituaries ( Chapter 12 )

CH 12

Inu Yasha growled impatiently as he typed a formula into the cell. He hit Enter and watched the cell deliver a string of nonsense. He banged on his desk. He hated Excel, especially when it was being difficult. Normally, he wouldn't care, but he had to get his financials in order by this afternoon. His brother was deciding his monthly allowance. He slammed his fists against the titanium desk to keep himself from putting them through the screen.

Why did he have to go and play with it? So what if the font wasn't very legible. His brother wouldn't care. Sesshomaru was only interested in red and black, and this month, much to the elder brother's disdain, Inu Yasha was in the black. His bar was generating profits…small and insignificant, but enough to make the bar self-sustaining. Would it make Inu Yasha rich? At this rate, not in a millennia or two, but the hanyou wasn't worried about that. He would soon have the apartments ready to rent, and even though that was a major investment, it would also pay off.

No, Inu Yasha didn't want to be insanely rich like Naraku, or walk with shoes of gold like his brother. He wanted enough to live on. He wanted to have a nice apartment, money to keep his bike up to date, and a little left over for his vices, particularly, Ramen. Yes, Inu Yasha was a simple man.

Inu Yasha smirked as he realized the error in the equation. By now, you would think he would remember them, or at least make a cheat sheet. But, Inu Yasha was a complicated man as well.

“Inu Yasha! How could you? I thought I taught you better than that!” Myoga yelled as he bounced into the back office of the bar. The wooden paneled walls didn't add any friendliness to the room as a single bare light bulb illuminated the concrete floor. There were a few filling cabinets by the corner, along with a swimsuit model calendar on one of the walls. Inu Yasha was sitting on his titanium desk in the back of the room: the only desk that could survive his tantrums.

“What do you want now, flea?” Inu Yasha growled. Just when Excel was beginning to cooperate, he gained a new annoyance.

“How could you, Inu Yasha-sama? How many times have I stressed that you treat a lady like a lady!” The flea demanded as settled in front of the inu hanyou. Squash, the flea was flattened with one swing of his fist.

“What are you rambling about?” Inu Yasha demanded as he performed the most dangerous task of all…saving the file without losing it.

“How could you take someone so decent and moral like Kagome Higurashi back to your apartment and have your way with her?” The flea accused.

Inu Yasha's left ear twitched. “What are you rambling about?” His cell phone began to ring, so he removed it from his pocket.

“It's all over the morning news! That gossip of Anika has been showing pictures of you taking Kagome to your place last night! And according to her source, Kagome didn't leave until after one in the morning! I can only imagine what you two were doing!”

“Anika who?” Inu Yasha questioned as he recognized Kagome's number on the Caller ID.

“The host of the `Morning Stop!' Kagome's competition!”

Inu Yasha growled angrily. He didn't give a fuck what people thought of him, but he Kagome wasn't that kind of girl! Was she mad at him too? Did she blame him for her sudden disgrace? He had done nothing wrong, but as usual, would be blame for it.

“Keh!” He answered his phone, ready to spew his venom. It wasn't his fault people were gossips and liars. He had nothing to be ashamed off.

“Inu Yasha…I imagine you have seen the morning reports by now.” Her voice was soft, but edged with anger.

“Heard about it.” He replied gruffly. Oh, he was going to lay it on her.

“I am so sorry you got caught up in all of this. And, I apologize in advance for any rumors that may arise from this. I never meant for this to happen…I didn't think Anika would be so desperate for a story to blow last night out of proportion.” Inu Yasha stayed silent. She wasn't mad at him?

“I'm sorry that my competitors decided to invade your privacy, and I would like nothing more than to get rid of the rumors, but unfortunately, I'm under contract…I can't show any appearance of having a boyfriend, so I can't confirm that we were just hanging out at your place, and I refuse to lie, so I can't say that it wasn't me. Miroku called earlier saying he would take care of it. I'm sorry your name and reputation are going to be in the mouths and covers of tabloids for the next week or so.” Was that sincerity and honesty in her voice?

“Keh, so what else is new.”

“Don't be offended when the rumor is denied…the network heads are unreasonable when it comes to their employees' persona. I have to go…I'm on the air in thirty seconds. Bye.”

“Inu Yasha-sama…I fear I must apologize.” Myoga spoke from his ward's shoulder, where eavesdropping was easiest.

“Fucking gossip!” Inu Yasha yelled as he squashed the flea on his shoulders.

She wasn't embarrassed by him. Inu Yasha rested back in his chair, Excel sheet complete, as he contemplated. She wouldn't have mind admitting they were together…platonically, but together. Inu Yasha growled. What kind of woman was she? He sighed as he realized, she was his kind of bitch.

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0*/*/*/*/*/*/*

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The Madam, stretched comfortably in the back of her limo. She may have been incognito, but she was going to be it in style. Her rows of spiky fangs came into view as she enjoyed the morning show. Those pictures Anika had shown were interesting and quite informative, though Kagome prepared a better show. She knew by the position of the stars that the Shikon no Tama was going to surface in this generation. History was bound to repeat itself, and the pieces were beginning to fall. The miko and the hanyou had already met, and love was sure to follow. Afterwards, Naraku's miasma, a leave from the God's tree and the correct spell would break the purifying barrier protecting the jewel. Madam Centipede stretched her many arms as she watched Kagome give an exposé on Paradise Hills Park. It also didn't hurt that she knew were the jewel was hidden. The pictures of children playing in the park as Kagome and neighbors help request signatures rolled by. She wondered if Naraku knew he had the jewel so close: only a few blocks from his office. She smiled wickedly. They were probably both staring at it right now. She laughed wickedly as he driver sped towards her safe-house.

As much as she wanted to run out there and pluck the jewel for herself, experience with Naraku had taught her to be patient. She rubbed the expose bone of her tail and frowned. Soon, revenge on that hanyou would be hers!

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0*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

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Miroku walked with a stride of confidence onto the back stage of `the Morning Stop.' The warehouse-like space was filled with rows of lights hanging from the ceilings while provisional sets on wheels were housed in a corner. In the center, the set in use was surrounded by cameras and hanging microphones. He knew from experience that if he acted like belonged there, no one would question him. The commotion was evident as stagehands prepared lights and audio made last minute adjustments to the microphones. The producer and writers were in a corner contemplating ratings, while the cameramen played with their zoom. He spotted Anika sitting behind her anchor's desk as someone retouched her lipstick. She was definitely proud of herself, something Miroku couldn't say about himself. He didn't like what he had to do, but it was his sister she had messed with. Without hesitation, Miroku walked up to her.

“What are you doing here?” She hissed the minute their eyes locked.

“So you do remember me?” He questioned with a sly grin.

“Hard not to…you had good stamina.” She batted her eyes a bit. She hadn't planned on this, but a celebratory roll in the hay with someone that knew how seemed to be in order.

“I have.” He corrected before getting back to the point. “I'm here to ask you to stop spreading the Higurashi rumor. Say it wasn't her, but you still can't confirm who it was.”

She laughed lightly, “And why would I do an idiotic thing like that?”

“Because if you don't, I'll break my `don't kiss and tell rule' and give the `Morning Scoop' the exclusive of our one night stand.” Miroku cautioned.

“You're threatening me?”

“Warning you. He corrected again.

“They wouldn't believe you. The public would see it as some lie that Kagome made up to get back at me.” She laughed lightly.

“But it's the truth.”

“Like that matters in Tabloid journalism?”

“No, but in real journalism, proof, like,” he removed a tape recorder from his pocket, “this confession of yours, would matter.”

“Asshole!” Her face contorted with anger.

“Now, now, that isn't the proper language a lady should use.” Miroku scolded, returning to his somber monk façade.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because you forced me.” He replied as he stepped away from the stage. The blinding lights focused on the young reporter as the music cue began. He yelled, just loud enough for her to hear, “And because my name is Miroku Higurashi!

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0*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

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It was eleven fifteen in the morning as Kagome made her way through the deserted streets, towards her destination: an abandoned warehouse by the old fishing pier. She really needed to get sources that prefer to meet in public areas, like a little café in Paris. That would be nice for a change. Instead, she was stuck in the smelliest part of town. She had left work early for this, so he better make it worth it. She swallowed hard, praying she wouldn't have to flirt too much with the bald little man. It was no secret that he had an obsessive crush on her, but he also had information she needed.

She winced as the smell of fish and seaweed invaded her. She hoped next time her source would decide to meet in a garden or a park. She smiled. When she left, they had acquired the necessary signatures to force the city's legislators to leave the park alone. Now, if she could only convince Mukotsu Shichinintai to grant her an interview without demanding dinner in return, she would have salvaged what was left of this disgusting day….How she wished she could just make it disappear from every calendar in the universe!

She walked up the rusty side-stairs of her destination. She was surprised to see the sun shining through a few leftover clouds. It would be a day or two before the rain was forgotten. She reached a rusty metal door and knocked, three long, and two short, before the door opened before her. A tall skinny man with red eyes and hair spoke to her. “You're early.”

“I know how much Mr. Shichinintai values his time.” The man nodded and let her into the finely furnished room. The skylight allowed more than enough light to enter the secluded building while adding an outdoors feeling to the indoor hot tub Mukotsu was currently soaking in. The floor was covered with white silk and feather pillows. Candles adorned the walls and the rim around the excessively large tub. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and chamomile. Who would have guessed the treasure that lied inside the rusted and forgotten warehouse?

“Mr. Shichinintai,” Kagome bowed respectfully before being ushered towards a nearby table by the man who let her in. Two other men were waiting there.

“Ah, my dearest Kagome, forgive their forwardness, but security is always an issue with a powerful man, such as myself.” He spoke as he stepped out of the tub and wrapped a white towel around his waist. Kagome nodded and placed her pocketbook, shoes and jacket on the table for the men to examine. After being patted down, she was allowed to approach the member of the most infamous mafia family in Japan.

“My sources tell me your daughter is getting married.”

“Yes…children grow up so fast. Makes me want to have a few more…care to help me?” He asked as he led her to the back of the room. Kagome took a second to adjust her facial expression. It wouldn't be good for him to know how disgusted she was with the idea.

“I don't mix business with pleasure.”

“I'm sure you can make an exception.”

“No exceptions.” She spoke firmly. “Now, your daughter's wedding is just a rouse so you can leave the country before the war for the Shikon no Tama explodes.”

“How did you know?” He questioned, surprised at her insight.

“Why else celebrate in Utah.”

“The boy is from Utah.” Mukotsu defended. Kagome raised her eyebrows, and he shrugged. She was right.

“What do you know?”

“Naraku is close. The word is that he has a new credible lead.”

“You don't sound worried.” Kagome observed, as she sat down on a nearby stone bench. He had made the back of the room look like a Roman garden, complete with stone statues and olive trees.

“I lost count of how many leads he has had in the last decade alone.”

“But something else does worry you.”

“There are other dangerous forces that are after the Tama…some on Japanese soil. They know more than Naraku, and could cause the jewel to surface.” He explained.

“Do you think that they could defeat Naraku?”

Mukotsu laughed as his bug-like eyes watered. “Even with the Shikon no Tama, they won't stand a chance against him.”

“Which means that if they get the Shikon no Tama… it's as good as Naraku's.”

“Exactly.”

“On your knees, bitch!” Kagome didn't have a chance to response as two of Mukotsu bodyguards knocked her to the ground. She yelped in surprise as they pulled her to her knees and had her face the short mobster holding her crushed cellular phone: Her very new and very expensive cellular phone.

“She was wired. She's a traitor.” The main guard explained.

“No-no…that's impossible!” Kagome shouted as Mukotsu took his bodyguard's gun.

“I don't accept incompetence or betrayal, Kagome. You should know that best.” He explained as he pressed the tip of the cold revolver against her forehead. She tried to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. Her body went numb as he pulled the safety. Yes, year after year, this day was always hellish!

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0*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

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She wasn't invited, and that made her very happy. Kagura sat on one of the benches in front of Full Moon Enterprises' main building enjoying her lunch. She knew that by now, Akago would have gotten the copy of the Wolf Pack's lock box's key, but she also knew that they still hadn't gone. Naraku would wait to hear that she was there first. He did so every year. He claimed it was like reliving the delicious experience of killing her family. It didn't matter. When the time came, she wouldn't be invited.

Naraku was asking for trouble. Not just by pushing the girl to the brink of insanity, but by making more and more enemies each day. Alliances were the key to win any war, which made the idea of an alliance with Sesshomaru quite tempting. He was strong, but was he strong enough to defeat Naraku? Probably not, and she wasn't going to find out. No, she would let things be for the time being. She had other powerful allies that would help her get through this. Her hand slipped into her jacket as she touched something that gave her confidence. She had all the allies she needed.

Sighing, Kagura stood up and crunched up her lunch bag. She stopped short as she thought she saw a ghost. She? Here? Now? Was the first blow to Naraku going to come, or was this just another coincidence? She threw away her trash and returned to office. Whether the end came today or in a hundred years, the truth remained that those deals weren't going to close themselves.

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0*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

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“I'm not going crazy!” Sango protested as she paced Sesshomaru's office. She was mentally preparing herself for the evening's date Inu Yasha sat in front of Youkai Lord, staring into the bright city day hiding behind Sesshomaru as Sango burnt a hole in his industrial carpet with her pacing. “Maybe you're losing your touch?” Inu Yasha suggested. Within a second, she had him in a head lock.

“I don't lose my touch.” She growled before a scratch from Sesshomaru's throat alerted her to let him go. Inu Yasha fixed his Hell-Raiser jacket, while Sango's black uniform remained in pristine condition. The girl was too good.

“You lost a few hundred thousand dollars worth of surveillance equipment to those two. I wouldn't consider that your usual precise work.” Sesshomaru complained as he review the last page of the excel sheet Inu Yasha had brought him.

“That tells me that there's something more than that meets the eye going on there, and I'm going to find out. Miroku is crazy if he thinks I'm buying that Witness Protection story.” Sango spoke with a determined glint in her eye.

“As long as you don't waste anymore of this year's security budget on it, do what you want. You know I hate frivolous expenses. Speaking of which…” He turned to his brother and returned his disk to him. “It's time to determine this month's allowance.”

“Keh, it's not an allowance! It's my damn inheritance.”

“Which father thought you not fit enough to govern yourself.”

“Because I was five when he died!” Inu Yasha growled.

“It doesn't matter. It is still my decision to make.”

Inu Yasha growled in response.

“Considering this little bar of yours is actually in the black this month, and all of last month's endowment was invested in legit transactions, I will give you ten percent more. Consider it a reward for learning to invest wisely.”

“Keh, I always invest wisely.”

“Like when you spent all your money on that bike of yours.” Sesshomaru accused as his claws rested carefully over his silver silk tie.

“Keep my bike out of this.” Inu Yasha growled his eyes seeping red.

“I must deduct the price of the chair and table you broke the other day, though.” Sesshomaru spoke softly as he calculated something on his computer. “That would leave you just enough to cover your mortgage payment this month.”

“Cheap bastard!” Inu Yasha growled lowly.

“The bastard is you, Inu Yasha. Our father was married to my mother at the time of my conception and birth…He wasn't even living with yours.” Sango had to restrain the hanyou before he could attack the stoic youkai.

“Inu Yasha, he just wants you to break more things, so he can deduct more.”

“Lord Sesshomaru…” The intercom buzzed as his office door was slammed open.

“I have a bone to pick with you!” The feisty dark hair girl pointed at Sango as she marched up her and dropped a broken cell phone on Sesshomaru's desk. Sesshomaru recognized the alteration in the memory card. It was one of their best cell phone taps. It looked like it had met someone's heel…there went another $50K. “I was a bit annoyed that you bugged my house. I wasn't too happy you tried to bug my brother's car, but bugging my phone…That's going way too far!” Sango looked at the girl in shocked as she released Inu Yasha, who had currently forgotten his brother in favor of the scent of jasmine covered embers the girl was emitting. “You almost got me killed!”

“How? How did you find it?”

“I had an interview with Mukotsu Shichinintai…”

“The mobster?” Sango inquired.

“Yes.”

“Why would the god father of the illegal nerve gas trade grant you an interview?” Sesshomaru inquired. He didn't realize she had those kinds of connections, and if she did, what the hell was she doing working on the tabloid. She should be covering the real news.

“His daughter is getting married. He granted me an interview to talk about the wedding. So, you can imagine my surprise when I'm searched and come up positive for wearing a wire! The only reason I'm not dead is because he's a fan! You don't want to know what I had to do convince him I had no knowledge of its presence.” Sango swallowed hard. The Shichinintai didn't play games.

“What are you doing interviewing mobsters…or I should say, terrorist, anyhow?” Inu Yasha complained. Stupid bitch was asking for someone to shoot her.

“For your information, Mukotsu doesn't sell nerve gas to terrorist groups. He sells it to government, like ours. Second of all, he's rich. Third, his daughter is marrying an upcoming Hollywood star. But, most importantly, that interview would have boosted the sales of the paper by thirty-five percent!” Ah, profits…Sesshomaru's favorite topic.

“Look, I wouldn't need to bug you if you were honest with me.” Sango protested.

“I have been more than honest with you, considering you aren't an officer of the law and have done nothing to earn my trust since I've met you! By the way, the next time you're in my house without my permission refrain from going through my personal belonging!” Kagome spat out.

“I didn't know it was your room.”

“Right… and my brother was right about you being there to surprise him naked in bed.” Kagome rolled her eyes. “I won't lie to you. I like you for my brother. I already gave you my approval, but if you don't back off, he will. He doesn't like pushy girlfriends, especially girlfriends that nearly get his sister killed!”

“You want me to sit here and believe that you are just an innocent reporter caught in all of this when you detect my bugs almost immediately after I plant them?”

“You were sloppy! You left one in my couch. I found it easily after I spilled my lemonade on it. The one in my brother's car was left underneath his seat. He found it when he adjusted it. Something he always does when he gets in the car!”

“That's bull!” Sango shot back. “One coincidence I buy! Three I know it's a scam!”

“I don't care what you buy or don't, just back off!”

“Sango!” The door slammed open as the short flea captain barged in. Again, Sesshomaru's assistant failed to warn him.

“Why is everyone looking for Sango in my office?” Sesshomaru demanded, not liking the display of disrespect before him.

“She left notice in her office she was going to be here.” Kagome explained calmly before turning to Sango and saying, “You owe me a new phone.” She turned to leave but the blown up flea stopped her.

“Not so fast young lady. I have a few questions for you.”

“I already said everything I had to. If you have any questions, read Miss Kizu's report!”

“She didn't have authorization to speak for me.”

“That's not my problem.” Kagome moved past the flea, but he grabbed her arm.

“Considering your father is trying to kill you, I think it is.” Kagome froze in her step. Inu Yasha immediately noticed the change in her scent as she stared straight ahead. A single tear ran down her cheek before she spoke again.

“My father is dead…I wish you would let him rest in peace.” Her voice was low and raspy. The emotional breakdown was near. Inu Yasha didn't realize he had moved until he saw himself placing his hands on her shoulders. There was a strange emotion stirring in his stomach…was it sympathy, empathy, or something else all together?

“Regardless of your father's condition,” Sesshomaru spoke up, “it doesn't change the fact that you were the intended victim from the beginning.” Kagome stiffened further, her eyes going blank as she digested the information.

“And the piece of the Higurashi Special found at the scene proves that the shooter was your father.”

“My father's innocent!” She screamed as she faced the flea.

“I stared down the barrel of that gun, Miss. I know what it looks like.”

“Funny, the way my father tells it, you puffed and disappeared before the gun had left its holster.” Kagome accused and the flea began to sweat. She was regaining her cool. Taking a deep breath, she spoke again.

“My father is innocent, and I can prove it.” All eyes were on her as she led them outside.

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0*-*-*-*

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Tokyo's First National Bank's main office was across the street from Full Moon Enterprises' headquarters, so Kagome hadn't seen the need to call for a car as Sesshomaru, Inu Yasha, Sango and Myoga followed her. The Bank was a concrete building with a large clock overhead, and though it was only one floor above ground, it contained five underground levels. That was what the building was most famous for. It was said that the world's governments came there to hide their secrets. The five underground levels were vaults, each more secure than the previous.

Sesshomaru was surprised to see that the Floor Manager recognized Kagome and seemed to have been expecting her. After Kagome confirming that everyone was going into the vault with her, the young man frowned. “I guess since Sesshomaru-sama owns the bank, we can make an exception, but you know that our regulations only allow the authorized user in there.”

“You can stay too, if you would like to confirm that nothing was removed.” Kagome assured. He nodded and led them to the side elevator. He used his electronic authorization key to take them to the fifth sublevel: the most secure in the building. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow in surprise. They were greeted by an army of riffles when the doors open. The Floor Manager spoke up letting them know it was authorized visit. The riffles were not lowered as all the guests were ordered to remove anything that could be construed as a weapon before passing the metal detector. Sango reluctantly separated herself from her gun as did Myoga. He tried to move forward, but one of the guards shook his head. “The one on your ankle as well. And miss,” He turned to Sango, “all knives as well.” Sango shrugged as she removed all her fifteen pocket knives and darts.

She watched Kagome suspiciously as she surrendered her purse, watch, dog tags, earrings and shoes. “Miss Higurashi has a reputation with the guards ever since she nearly maimed a one with her ID badge last year.” The head security guard explained as a new recruit with a wand began to examine her for any metal objects.

“Why?” The new guard asked.

“He wasn't respectful with his wand.” Kagome explained, and the new guard moved away. The older guard laughed at the joke as Kagome put her shoes back on.

“We get them every time.” The head guard moved up and kissed Kagome on the cheek, ignoring the strange looks her guests were giving her. “Here for your yearly inspection?” She nodded as she found two keys in her bag. They were escorted into the vault by the Floor Manager and the prankster guard. With a nod, the Floor Manager and Kagome entered their keys into the safety deposit box labeled 500001 and turned simultaneously.

“These are electronic keys. If they aren't turned at the same time, the box will lock itself and refuse to open for twenty-four hours.” The Floor Manager explained. He stepped back as Kagome moved the large box to the designated area in the vault. She opened it carefully, and started to remove and place together pieces of metal. She continued until three guns had been assembled and placed them on the table. They looked on in awe.

“My father's, my brother's and mine.” Kagome explained as she pointed to the different Higurashi Specials.

“There-there are three guns?” Myoga asked in surprise.

“Yes, and as you can see,” she pulled out three magazines from the lock box, “none of the bullets have been fired, and” she pulled out the a few sheets of paper, “the plans are still here. So it can't be my father's gun you recovered at the scene. It's still here.” Myoga picked up the guns and sniffed them. They hadn't been fired in a very long time.

The Floor Manager brought Kagome a kit, and she began to clean the guns. “I do this once a year…it beets going to the cemetery.” She sniffed, fighting back the tears. “I hope that this will convince you to leave my father's memory alone, Captain.” Kagome complained as she dedicatedly oiled the parts.

“The bullets are holly.” Sesshomaru observed.

“They each contain a splinter from the God's Tree…before it was burnt down.” She spoke lowly as flashes of memories filled her heart. “One bullet can purify any demon into oblivion.” She explained as she replaced the guns in the box. Her hands were shaking, and the tears were on the brim of her eyes. Sango looked up at the digital clock, and seeing the date, October 19th, she realized the meaning of her actions. She had removed her jewelry because she was planning to get her hands dirty cleaning the guns… She preferred to clean their guns than to visit their grave on the anniversary of their death.

“We should go.” Sango complained as she realized this should have been a private moment for the girl. Inu Yasha waited for Kagome as the others were escorted out. She shed a few silent tears as she locked the guns away. He knew the feeling of trying to lock the painful memories away. It never really worked.

“Kagome?” His voice was soft, almost welcoming. She tried to smile, but her eyes revealed her inner turmoil. She let him lead her out without saying any words. He watched her carefully as she mechanically put her jewelry back on and grabbed her bag. She frowned and stood rigidly as a dark aura approached them. Both brothers growled at the stench that was infiltrating the room. The elevator doors open revealing the wavy haired hanyou and his two youngest children. He immediately locked eyes with Kagome. She stood tall, unbending as she return his emotionless cold gaze. The room began to grumble and shake as he approached to pass her. Kagome did not back down. He would never know how he affected her. She pushed back the memories the dark hanyou provoked. She swallowed her tears to avoid swallowing her pride. He smirked before walking passed her.

She refused to break down. They played this game every year, and she still refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. The main guard used his security card to open the staircase door for her. He hadn't planned to allow anyone to follow her, but the inu hanyou was on her tracks. Naraku wouldn't see her break down.

She started to race up the steps as the flashes of that night came to her. She saw her mother, on her knees, in front of the hanyou. She saw the blood on the kitchen floor as her body collapse. She saw the fire…the God's tree on fire. But most of all, she saw the spiders. She fell to her knees as she curled into fetal position, tears falling freely from her eyes. She closed her eyes as the memory of Naraku shooting at her father flooded her. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her. The new aura was soothing as she began to cry into his chest. It was her fault they were all dead. She had failed them all.

Inu Yasha pressed her to him as he tried to protect her. He was feeling terribly uncomfortable. He would rather go back and kill Naraku for upsetting her. Blood, guts, senseless violence…he could handle that. A girl crying was too much for the strong inu hanyou. He just held her, unsure of what he was supposed to do, or why he even cared. Maybe it had been that she had looked dead when she had cleaned those guns, or perhaps it had been the delicious scent she had left in his bed. Either way, he felt compelled to help her.

Kagome was falling asleep as her tears began to dwindle. She was warm, safe and tired. She sniffed and felt the leather covered air fill her lungs. Leather? Someone was holding her…someone was seeing her cry. She pulled back, wiping her tears away. “I'm sorry.” She mumbled before she tried to rush out of there, but the arms wouldn't let go. Her eyes were red and puffy when they looked into his worried golden orbs.

“I'll take you home.” He declared as he helped her to her feet. She didn't argue as he walked her up the steps. Sango had been waiting for them, but taking one look at Kagome, she decided to back off. She knew she wasn't on Kagome's favorite people list at the moment. Inu Yasha walked her to his bike and handed her his helmet. Kagome took in his Harley Davison Softail Night Train motorcycle. It had the same appeal and comfort as his jacket. She took her place on the `bitch seat,' grateful Miroku had dropped off a pair of slacks for her that day.

He smirked, and she tightened her hold on him as he peeled out. That should distract her. Harley Davisons weren't known for speed or tricks, but that didn't stop Inu Yasha from driving it like a mad dog. “I changed my mind.” Kagome spoke at the first light. “Take me to the Shrine instead.” He nodded; surprised she hadn't yelled his ears off for speeding.

In reality, Kagome didn't mind the speed. As she held on tightly to him… she felt like she was flying. She could feel the powerful vibrations of the motor between her legs as the wind flew past her. Something in her stomach tightened as the adrenaline rush began to push all emotions aside. She didn't worry about the sharp turns or the near death merges. His bike was impeccable; therefore he must know how to ride it properly.

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0*-*-*-*

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“Did you see the way he looked at her?” Myoga inquired as he made his way back to Sesshomaru's office.

“He wanted to kill her.” Sango agreed, knocking on Sesshomaru's office door. When she was permitted to enter she inquired, “The shaking?”

“Their auras were repelling each other.” Sesshomaru explained.

“It was strong enough to make five feet of concrete shake!” Sango protested taking her seat in front of the lord.

“She isn't a dormant miko.” The Lord added.

“How strong is she?” Myoga inquired.

“You're lucky she hasn't purified you accidentally.”

“Her miko aura didn't flair earlier, when she and Myoga argued.” Sango protested.

“She has amazing control…she had to be trained.” Sesshomaru agreed.

“She's spent most of her life in the States. I thought training there was hard to come by.” Myoga argued.

“She also knows about bugs, not only how to find them, but which one is which. She recognized the one I used in her living room, even though it hasn't been released in the open market yet.” Sango added.

“I wouldn't put it past her to just be a well informed reporter.” Sesshomaru interrupted. “Her father was a priest, a very powerful one. Her stepbrother is a Buddhist monk. She has been surrounded by people who could have trained her. As for the transmitter, we gave her newspaper a dozen a few weeks ago to try out. It is possible she uses them for her scoops.”

“I don't know…she's too good to just be a reporter.” Sango added thoughtfully.

“She is. She is the woman my brother has chosen, and even though things haven't been formalized, she has been added to your list of people to protect.”

“I thought that Lord Inu Yasha was still in denial. I didn't know he was finally openly pursuing her.” The flea complained, annoyed that he had missed a juicy piece of gossip.

“Neither does he.” Sesshomaru looked down at his agenda before adding, “I know my brother. He is too primal for his own good. The girl saved his life, demanded to wear his clothes…to have his scent on her, and she isn't submissive. Every ounce of youki in him is demanding him to claim her, and from what I saw in the vault, every ounce of his humanity is demanding him to comfort her. He may not know it yet, but he has already chosen her.”

“Speaking of the vault, what do you make of the guns?” Myoga inquired.

“We knew it wasn't Taro Higurashi who shot Kagome, so I'm not surprised.” Sango interrupted.

“What are you rambling about?” Myoga demanded.

“The piece of the Higurashi Special we found was on the roof, not the tenth floor. If Taro is alive, he wasn't the one that shot his daughter.”

The flea stumbled over a few words, embarrassed of his obvious blunder.

“What do you make of the piece we found?” Sesshomaru inquired.

“Let's just say he was here for something else…It's no secret that he hates Naraku. Maybe he wanted to scare him a bit…let him know he was back, but his daughter gets shot the same day, so we come up to the wrong conclusion.” Sango offered.

“But they were all in the vault.” The flea added.

“It doesn't mean there wasn't a fourth, and besides, someone had to make the original ones. Maybe there is a spare set of prints floating around out there.” Sango reasoned.

“Either way, things just became extremely complicated.” Myoga sighed.

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0*-*-*-*

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Kagome walked up the steps to the Shrine in quiet observation. Though the house and the temple had not been reconstructed, the land was still considered sacred. Inu Yasha followed her quietly. She looked at where her house once stood, now only a concrete lot. She pointed to the broken stone well at the side of the house and said, “We used to have a well house there…That's were my brother and I would play hide and seek.”

Inu Yasha nodded, not sure what he was supposed to say or do. He felt like he was walking on a battlefield with a veteran that had buried a limb or two there. She walked to where the God's Tree once stood tall. The wooden fence had been replaced. She knelt before it and prayed. Inu Yasha watched in silence. She looked so different, so angelic, he felt out of place. He was intruding in a personal moment, but he couldn't leave.

“It's my fault.” She said quietly, not knowing why she was talking to him.

“What is?”

“They're dead because of me.” His eyes widen in surprise. “I didn't want to go to the shooting range. I hated going there. My ears always rang for days afterwards. I locked myself in my room until daddy finally conceded to take me to practice archery instead.

“When we came home…” Her voice failed her. “Had we gone shooting, he would have had his gun with him…” She broke down crying. Inu Yasha placed his hand on her shoulder, unsure of what to say. It didn't take long for her to regain her composure. His aura was soothing. She stood up and smiled as best she could with tears still in her eyes.

“Look,” she pointed at the seedling on the ground, “the God's tree is growing back.”