InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beautiful Miscommunications ❯ News Break ( Chapter 17 )

Chapter 17

News Break

 

Somewhere in the warehouse district, a renovated apartment was aglow with a ghastly light. Within the confines of a windowless room, a wall was bright with color as a mural began to move. The long red snake-like demon screamed as it was sucked into the black hole inside the monk's right hand. The sky became black and sinister as hard winds surrounded the monk. The crater grew in size as he threw a purple-bead rosary over his wind void. Pulling the curse hand towards him, the painting froze again. The pained look of knowledge was clear on the monk's face. His curse would consume him soon.

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Miroku held his arm protectively as he watched the dark figures pull away. His arm pulsed with burning pain. Bullets were the second most painful things to swallow. Demon venom was the first. “Are you alright?” Sango asked as she rushed to his side. He released a guttural moan of pain when she touched his arm.

“Peachy…” He grumbled in response. “You…ok?” He gasped out of breath.

“Fine thanks to you…what was that?” She asked looking at his rosary covered hand suspiciously.

“My curse…” It was then Miroku's legs decided to give in. Sango barely had enough time to react, catching him in the knick of time. She helped him sit by nearby wall. Gently, she checked his forehead for fever, and was very displeased to find it cold and sweaty.

“Is this normal?”

“For bullets…” He replied as the alley stopped spinning. Semi automatic meant more than his normal share of the metallic poison.

She looked at his hand again and asked, “So, the rosary seals it?” He nodded. “That explains your taste in jewelry.” She tried to joke.

“If the beads do not cover the Kazaana, then there would be no way to control it. It would grow in size and power until it consumed me.”

“Can you get sucked into your own void?”

“That's how my father died.”

“You're father?” She asked confused.

“The terrorists he discovered decided to mark him, so that he would not be able to hide. They cursed his right hand with the Kazaana, an air void that would grow until it consumed him. Unfortunately, instead of consuming itself as well, the void would move to his eldest son's right hand.”

“So you weren't lying when you said you're hand was curse.” Sango stated flatly.

“I would never lie to you.” He replied softly.

“That still doesn't explain what your hand is doing on my ass!”

“Part of the curse.” Miroku replied as he pulled away. She held her temper. He had just taken two magazines worth of bullets for her. She would spare him this one time.

“I see that you're feeling better.” She replied standing up. She moved in front of him and offered him a hand.

“I feel good enough to pay those goons a visit.” He replied looking in the direction the interlopers had gone.

“To bad we don't know who they were, or who sent them.”

“Oh, I wouldn't say that. I only know one person who would put SWORD69 as his license plate.”

“Why do I have a feeling I'm not going to like this?”

“You're very observant.” Miroku replied, “Now, we need to get me into some tight leather pants…preferably purple.” Sango gave him a strange look that spoke volumes of her opinion on his sanity. “I'll explain on the way.”

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“It's dinner time! It's dinner time! It's dinner time!” The child burst into Kagura's room screaming and immediately threw herself on the queen size bed. “Pretty Lady gets to come and eat with Rin and Sesshomaru-sama and Jaken-sama. Lady will come, right?” The child asked while jumping vigorously on the bed.

“Who gave you sugar?” Kagura demanded as she tried to follow the girl with her eyes. She was going to fall and hit her head; Kagura was sure of it.

“No one! Rin's just really happy Lady's coming to dinner. I can do a cartwheel-Does Lady want Rin to do a cartwheel?”

“Maybe later.” Kagura replied quickly. “Could you stop jumping for one second?”

“Okay!” The child froze mid jump holding a rather amusing pose. Kagura smiled before she asked,

“Now, what are you rambling about dinner?”

“It's dinner time.”

“I gathered as much.”

“And Sesshomaru-sama sent Rin up here to tell Lady to come down to dinner. Sesshomaru-sama said there should be clothes in the closet, and for Rin not to play with anymore of them.”

“Why do you keep taking in third person?”

Rin stopped and broke her mid-jump pose. She looked around before replying, “There isn't a third person here.”

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Inu Yasha was serving a rather large order of bad beer for a rather large, drunk and stupid group of misfits that had taken over his pool tables. Normally, they would be the kind that got on his nerves, but today, they and their platinum cards were welcomed. He had already had to close the night before, and was almost not allowed to open tonight. Luckily, he never bothered to board up the windows the night before, allowing all the gas to escape. It still gave him the chills to think how close he had been to a sure death…how close she had been.

“Shippo, take these over.” He demanded.

“How about a please?”

“How about I break your neck.” Inu Yasha retorted as his smart mouth employee took the tray. The red-haired boy was young reckless, and trying desperately to make himself known. One of these days, Inu Yasha would give him a punch that should send him straight to his mother in heaven, but, instead, the boy would return it. That day, Inu Yasha would admit the cub had turned into a man. Until then, he was just another kid with a smart mouth that deserved a bit of disciplining.

Her scent hit him before the door closed behind her. Jasmine, embers and a touch of holiness flaunted into his bar. Jeans and a tank top should not look that good on a woman. It was a sin. He barely had time to react before one of the drunk and ugly crossed her path. “Hey beautiful, want to have some funnnnnn?” Whether the last word was stretched out for emphasis or because he was drunk, she did not care.

“That's what I'm trying to do, so if you don't mind, get out of my way.” She replied flatly as she moved around him. One of the drawbacks of being drunk is not understanding simple concepts. Coming from a woman, no means no. Coming from a Miko, it means get the hell away from me.

“We can have loads of fun in my car…It's just outside.” He replied as he grabbed her arm. Normally, she would place a hand over his wrist and wait a second for his brain to register his neurons signaling pain. She was unimpressed by the rows of shinny sharp fangs, the scale-like skin and the biceps the size of her head. In the end, all demons were all the same. But today, Kagome never got the chance.

Inu Yasha's hand was already around the demons neck. “Get your hands off my woman.” The growl was low, feral, and, he later than the gods, in a language that Kagome could not understand. The growl was universal among men, and even one as drunk and stupid as the one that crossed the line that night understood the combination of growl/neck choke the dog hanyou was using.

Shippo watched in silent amazement as the other demon backed away slowly. Inu Yasha then sent a warning glare to all else in the bar. It was understood. No one would dare make a move on the young miko. It took a few seconds before Shippo recognized the girl. She was the one that had dropped off the pants. She was a looker. She looked a lot like his favorite morning reporter. Perhaps that's why Inu Yasha had taken a liking to her. The dog demon hadn't had a girlfriend in…well, Shippo couldn't remember the man having anyone that was around longer than a week.

“Hi, I'm Shippo.” The cheery fox introduced himself when he reached the quiet couple at the bar. She turned to him and smiled,

“Kagome.” This made the fox stop and think for a second.

“Like the TV reporter? That must be cool.” No way would a famous sophisticated woman be with Inu Yasha.

“She is the TV reporter, dimwit!” Inu Yasha growled, not appreciating the curious looks from his customers. They shouldn't be looking at her like that.

“Inu Yasha, be nice.” She scolded.

“But-but, you're the girl that had his pants and jacket the other day!” Shippo protested.

“That's cuz she stole them, at gun point!”

“Do you know another way to get you out them?” Kagome shot back. Shippo was beginning to hyperventilate. How could this be happening? She was the perfect respectable woman! There must be another explanation. It must be a private joke between the two.

“What are you doing here?” Inu Yasha demanded.

“I came to see how you were doing. You didn't seem well when you left this morning…you didn't even eat breakfast.”

Shippo swore that a sword had just jabbed his heart. What could Inu Yasha possibly have to attract such a woman?

“I wasn't hungry.” He replied.

“Are you hungry now?” She asked quietly.

“Why?”

“I want to talk.”

“About?”

“About what happened in my kitchen this morning…About what would have happened if my brother hadn't interrupted.”

Shippo began to whimper. All hope was lost. She was Inu Yasha's.

“Are you ok?” Kagome turned to Shippo with a concern glance, just realizing he was still there. “You look pale.” She added as she placed a hand on his forehead. It seemed cool enough, but the hand over her wrist was hot and tight. Inu Yasha growled as he pulled her away.

“Don't smother the kid. You'll turn him into a pansy.” Inu Yasha complained as he walked her to the back of the bar. “Shippo watch the bar.”

The door opened and a short brunet with amethyst colored eyes walked in. Shippo recognized her from his morning math class. She was the reason he would ever take math at seven in the morning… She was the reason he would ever take math. There was no sense in nursing a broken heart by oneself. He was sure Luna would love to help him with that one.

“What's your poison, beautiful?” He asked in the sexiest voice he could, when she sat down in front of him. She smiled shyly before looking into his eyes and replied, “You.”

Shippo suddenly become hot around the collar. Yes, she would do in deed.

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“Are you sure my butt doesn't look too big in these?” Miroku asked as they stepped out of his cab. They had swung by his apartment, where he quickly changed. He had noticed the shift in the mural, but ignored it. Now wasn't the time for it. Now was the time for leather pants that were a size too small.

Sango's annoyed look was all he needed. “Don't forget that you're watching my butt.”

“I'll make sure no one hits you from behind.” She replied in a half-annoyed voice. The pants were giving her an interesting visual, but it wasn't a pleasant one. With the tight purple leather pants and the half opened shirt, he reminded her of a guy she had met while in New York. He had given her the tour of the best gay clubs in town.

“I'm not worried about getting hit. I'm worried about getting pinched. You have no idea the obsession that man has with my butt. I just can't stand people that can't keep their hands to themselves.”

Sango paused to give him a hard glare. “It should inspire you to keep your hands off innocent women.”

“There is a difference my dear Sango. I caress, not pinch.” He explained as they headed up the steps of an innocently looking townhouse on the edge of Tokyo. The street was well lit and clean. It looked like the kind of place an older couple would retire to.

“So, who am I protecting your butt from, anyhow?”

“Jakotsu.” Miroku answered nonchalantly.

“Jakotsu…Shichinintai, Jakotsu? Jakotsu, as in the guy that is heading the sex trade industry in Asia? The guy who the media accuses of torturing his enemies and dismembering them while they're still alive?” Sango demanded in an exalted voice.

“Well, when you put it like that, you make him sound like not such a nice guy.” Miroku teased. “It's only half true.”

“Which half, the part of torturing or the part of dismembering?” Sango never received an answer, for at that moment, the door opened, and a butler that could have passed off as a brick wall, ushered them inside.

Sango tensed up at the sight of extremely sharp swords, daggers and knives hanging on the red walls. There were dark velvet curtains draped on the windows, while the house was decorated in steel and glass. From the top floor, the screams and moans of couples floated down and assaulted their ears. She felt as if she were walking into the house of a dominatrix. In retrospect, she realized, she was.

They walked into the candlelit study, though she wasn't surprised that Miroku knew the way, or that they weren't searched. Somehow, she felt Miroku was more involved with illegal gangs than he would admit. It would explain how the sister got the connection.

“Oh, if it isn't the finest ass in all of Tokyo!” A sinisterly cheery voice chirped. The man was dressed in a short satin kimono and pink leather pants. The kimono had an abstract design of the sea in tones of pink, red and white. There was hot pink lip gloss on his collagen treated mouth, and his silky brown hair was pulled up in a French twist. He was a thin man with generous hips and a small waist. If it wasn't for his exposed pectorals, Sango would have thought him a woman. Even his voice had a soft feminine quality. She was sure it was what the critics called fem fatale. And, having it placed in the red velvet room, made him look more surreal.

“Jakotsu.” Miroku greeted. Sango remained quiet, but the sex lord noticed her.

“I see you have a new leash. She can't please you like I can. Her whip isn't as tightly flung.” He accused.

Sango raised an eyebrow in response before replying in a very confident voice, “Don't judge what you haven't sampled.” Jakotsu turned towards her and examined her. Her stance was confident as she stood in his office dressed in tight black clothes. Her eyes were dark with hidden mischief, daring him to challenge her. Her hair was pulled tight in a high ponytail. She was radiating with inner power. He did not doubt she was a good Dom, but no one compared to him.

Miroku gave a surprise glance towards the security chief. Perhaps, he should take a different road in seducing her… “I saw your boys tonight. They were quite rude, interrupting my date.” Miroku walked closer, making sure his host was able to view “the goods.”

“You deserved it! You've been very naughty.” Jakotsu pouted. Sango raised an eyebrow. She felt like she was in an old black and white movie.

“Oh, what have I done?”

“Besides not accepting any of my play date?”

“I never accept any of your play dates.” Miroku spoke firmly, or as firmly as he could while trying to breathe. His pants were killing him. How did Jakotsu do it?

“Her name is Madame Centipede.”

“Who?”

“I know you drive your cab down town, Miroku.” By the tone of his voice, Sango could tell he was implying something else. “Don't tell me you haven't seen her shop. She's taking my best costumers while charging more!” He whined.

“I haven't been working.” Miroku lied, but Jakotsu understood.

“So, you haven't been sending your fares to her?” He pouted as he strutted himself towards the young monk.

“I only pick up women.” Miroku reassured, “And if I'm going to give them advice of bedroom games, I would do it person…”

Miroku never finished his sentence. Jakotsu had tried to pull a dagger to his throat, but Sango had caught his hand in time. “Keep your hands off my man!” Sango ordered as she twisted his arm behind him. Jakotsu giggled in response and dropped the knife.

“I don't usually play with girls, but for you, I would make an exception.” Sango pulled away immediately. She felt dirty touching him.

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Kagura didn't want to go to dinner. She would much rather stay in her room brooding, though the four walls were beginning to remind her of a coffin. She didn't want to associate herself more than she had to with the demon lord. She knew only dangerous things could come of this game. She was determined not to go, but that's when the child started pouting and begging and crying. Kagura would have ripped out her own eyes if it would have kept her quiet.

“Lady can't wear that!” Rin protested when Kagura found an expensive red sweat suit.

“Why not?”

“Sesshomaru-sama says dinner is an o-kay-xion.” Rin did her best to sound out each syllable. That word always gave her trouble. “Everybody has to dress nice for it, even Rin.” She finished her statement by twirling in her pink kimono. She was more than presentable, and Kagura thought it a crime. A child that energetic should be sent into in a muddy yard and allowed to play until she's too exhausted to make any noise.

“Maybe I really shouldn't go.” Kagura thought out loud. She wasn't in the mood for dress up.

“No, Lady has to come. That way Rin has someone to talk to. Jaken-sama is always talking to Sesshomaru-sama, and Sesshomaru-sama doesn't talk to anyone.” The child whined.

“Fine.” That sad voice was enough to drive a saint to murder.

“Lady could wear the red dress.”

“Rin,” Kagura began as she pulled the spaghetti strapped dress over her head, “my name is Kagura, not Lady.”

“Does this mean that Kagura-sama will be Rin's friend?”

“Don't call me Kagura-sama…just Kagura.” The older woman corrected as she examined her refection. She wasn't prepared for the tight squeeze of her waist. She looked down at the child looking back at her with misty eyes. She felt her heart skip a beat and was momentarily frozen by the action. She had been separated from it for so long, she had almost forgotten how it felt like. What was this child doing to her?

“Dinner has been served.” A whiny voice announced. The two women turned to see the toad looking very displeased at them. “Sesshomaru-sama doesn't like to be kept waiting.”

“Sorry Jaken-sama, but Lady…Kagura,” she corrected herself quickly, “needed to get dressed.”

“Your master should know, not to rush perfection.” Kagura added as she straitened the silk dress. Red was definitely her color. The dress draped to her knees, where it flared out a bit. It was a nice clean cut, though it exposed enough cleavage to make her uncomfortable. Turning sideways, she noticed the exposed spider birthmark. It would not due to have him see it. Grabbing a nearby shawl, she wrapped herself in it. She stopped to put on a pair of shoes. Even in her weaken state, she still preferred spike heels.

“Are Kagura and Rin going to put on lipstick?” the child asked enthusiastically.

Kagura nodded, painting the girl's lips first. No one had bothered to remove her usual long bead earrings, so she felt prepared. She waited for Jaken to escort them.

Sesshomaru was not prepared for the sight that beheld him. There was a quiet serenity in her aura tonight: he had never seen her like this. Taking a well guarded glance at her legs, he remembered why he thanked the gods every morning for the invention of skirts. She approached and bowed respectfully, but not as low as etiquette would have required. He motioned for the chair next to his, and as she took her seat, he caught a strong whiff of her aroma. After a day of sleeping in his house, it smelled as if she were wearing his scent as perfume. His eyes flashed crimson in response.

The dinning room was formal and cold, decorated with feudal swords and family tapestries. It was a staple of high Japanese taste and culture. Kagura was not surprised that Rin had insisted on her joining them. It must be a terribly boring affair for such a hyper-active child. She was impressed by Rin's display of good manners. The minute she stepped into Sesshomaru's presence, the child calmed down and behaved properly. Kagura was reminded about something she had read in Pride and Prejudice, “Children should be seen, not heard.” Kagura had the sudden desire to start a food fight with the young girl.

The meal started quietly enough, no one bothering to speak. The only noise was of the toad slurping his soup. The exasperatingly sulky sound assaulted Kagura's ears. He kept sucking and slurping the liquid. It was deafening. She grabbed her spoon and contemplated shoving it down the toad's throat, but that would dirty her new dress. “How was your day?” She finally asked her host.

The toad gasped and dropped his spoon. At least it shut him up.

“Only speak when spoken to.” Rin whispered from her place at her right.

“Uneventful, as most Thursdays,” Sesshomaru replied as he ignored the aghast look he was receiving from his right hand man, “yours?”

“A bit boring…there is not much to do in that room.”

“Then, you'll be glad to know that your father sent you work. He doesn't want you to lose your edge while you're in bed.”

“Oh, the man is so thoughtful.” Kagura replied sarcastically. “Who has he assigned to take over my duties? Akago?”

“No, Kanna.” Kagura looked up in surprise. “They seem to have had a bit of a falling out.”

“It won't last.” Kagura concluded as she analyzed that bit of information.

“I'm not sure, spider demons are known for their long grudges.” Kagura dropped her spoon and froze as she felt all blood rush away from her skin. She turned towards him with a spiteful look in her eyes.

“You were there when they changed me?” She demanded.

Sesshomaru looked at her with little interest. “Does it matter? I already knew.”

“You were just confirming.” Her words were dripping with sarcasm as the child and the toad watched the interaction with more than mild interest.

“If I was going to have his offspring in my house, I wanted to know how they were marked. Do you know that you can't remove it with laser?” Sesshomaru replied as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

“You also can't remove it with fire, hydrochloric acid or by cutting the skin out!” She informed. “You had no right examining me in such a manner.”

“That is your opinion, but be aware that in my house, I have a right to do what ever I wish.” His voice was saturated with innuendos, from promising a quick death, to promising a prolonged night of passion. The youkai lord was not your usual male.

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Kagome thought it would be easy. She would go to his bar, let him off the hook, and they'd be friends. It was that or act as if nothing had ever happened, and since she didn't do that very well, she opted for talking. She should have known better. Immediately, she noticed how tense and wound up he was. She assumed it was a result of the last few days. October was becoming one of those cursed months you just wanted to rip out of the calendar.

“I'm sorry about this morning.” She began the minute the door closed behind them.

“What about?”

“Everything…we shouldn't have fought over it.” She tried to remain calm but his nervous energy was contagious.

“Do you regret it?”

“Fighting? Yes I do. You're a really nice guy.” The comment threw him off guard. No one ever described him as a “nice” guy. “You're quickly becoming someone I care about, and I don't want a misunderstanding to mess up our friendship.”

“Misunderstanding?” She had used the evil F word with him. That was low, even for her. He paced up to know, making the bare office seem more confining.

“I didn't regret the kiss.” She refused to back down. “We both wanted it. It was right, at the time, but I'm also aware of your dislike of my scent.” Why was it getting so hot in there?

“Who said I dislike your scent?” He demanded as he began to mover her into a corner.

“You did…remember? The night we met…” she offered.

“I said it could offend some of my customers, not that it offended me.” He corrected with a growl.

“What is it you want from me, Inu Yasha?” She suddenly demanded. She was tired of this confusing predatory game he kept playing.

“Nothing. You're the one that demands we take closer looks at everything. I sneeze, I must be sick. It rains, the gods must be angry. I kiss you: it must mean I love you!” He yelled back. Fighting, now that, he was good at.

“Forget you!” Kagome screamed as she pushed passed him. “Do forgive me for caring!”

“The only person you care about is yourself!” He shot back. He regretted the words before they finished leaving his mouth, but he wasn't going back out of them. He was too proud. “Nothing is ever good enough for you!”

“No Inu Yasha, it's you who is too good for this world.” Her words were firm, but he could hear her sadness. It cut his heart in half. He didn't stop her as she stormed out of his office. It was better that way.

She wanted to kill him for that. Is that what he really thought of her? A spoiled snob he couldn't stand. Someone he thought too full of herself to be good enough for him. She knew she should be happy about this. This would make her job easier. She could go back to tailing him and prepping him from afar. She would be just another reporter when he took his rightful place in Full Moon Enterprises. She walked towards the back exit of the bar, pretending to buy her own argument. She held the doorknob tightly, knowing that if she left, she wouldn't come back. Looking down, she saw something familiar. By the door were two empty cans of red paint and a couple of dirty brushes. It was the color she had picked out.

She shouldn't. Turning around would only cause problems. But, by the time that thought registered, she was already walking back into his office. He looked at her in surprise as she continued with her angry self-righteous rant. “And for the record,” she pulled him down to her level by grabbing the collar of his shirt, “I do care about you. And, you should feel lucky to have kissed me because I'm a damn good kisser!” She pulled his mouth against hers and unleashed her passion. Her teeth were teasing, her tongue demanding. He was lost in a sea of her and it made him dizzy. It wasn't until he tasted her blood in his mouth that he snapped out of it.

She pulled away, having cut her tongue on his fang. Turning away indignantly, she proceeded to make her exit. She never made it out of the room.