InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dark City, Dark Hope ❯ Case 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Author Note: This was one interesting chapter to write. I had a sub plot at first but the more I wrote the more I wanted to change it and go with another ending and it took me a lot of will power to keep this as much as along the original plans as possible. I didn't know I had that much will in me.

 

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any other character in the original manga or anime.

 

Pairing: Sess/Inu. Other will appear from chapter to chapter.

 

Warning: M/M, M/F, kinda M/M/F & M/M/M, shounen-ai, Inc., death, NC, Bi, languish, torture, vengeful spirits, blood, angst, dark, minor, kidnapping, curses, abuse, mentioned/hinted Preg/Mpreg and more.

 

Rating: X (Mature)

 

Summary: “It's not he who needs me nor I who need him, it's we who must have each other. To keep each other sane, alive and find the answer to our own mystery. In this rotten city of blood.”

 

Read, Enoy & Review.

 

Dark City, Dark Hope

By Monkan

 

Case 2 - Dead Man Walking

 

3 Years Earlier

 

“Excuse me!” a man asked the old lady on her way out of the old apartment building. “Does the Taisho Brothers live here?”

 

“Oh yes, dear. They live in the pent house.” her old wrinkled face graced him with a smile and he could see she could look for a tooth or two to fill the gaps in her mouth.

 

He gave her a smile in return, shifted his bag on his left shoulder and began to climb the stairs to the door. “Thank you.”

 

He looked at the old elevator which were clearly out of service and he could barely suppress a groan when he realized he had to climb the stairs all the way to the top.

 

After a few minutes he gaspingly stood at the top of the nightmarish climb. Two doors faced him, one on each end. One was unnamed while the other held the name Taisho in bold letters on an old looking wooden door that you would only find if you were looking at some run-down house from nearly 100 years ago. No number or even a sign to warn of annoying free-mail. 'But then again,' he thought, 'Not many would make it to the top just to give them some free-mail.'

 

He walked over to it and raised his hand and knocked. When his hand made contact with the wood he felt something strange. Instead of waiting for an answer he tested the doorknob and found it much to his suspicion, unlocked. It didn't even creak when he pushed it open and it felt light like a feather. 'Strange. For something this old I thought it would be heavier.'

 

The hall was short and he could see the sunlight falling into the room which meant it was an open area around the corner. He swallowed to calm his nerves.

 

“Is someone home?” he called in a pathetic tiny voice that barely made it past his own ears.

 

He walked to the corner to peer into the room to see if anyone was home.

 

The rustling of sheets and the thump of something hitting a solid object echoed in the apartment.

 

“Are you all right, Inu?” asked a voice gently.

 

“Mmmh.” InuYasha let out as he could be seen sitting on the bed couch over the backrest and the hand that caressed his chest made it obvious he was sitting on someone, a male too from the sound of the other voice. The hand raised itself until it reached Inu's face. It trailed his jaw line before it touched his lips with it's fingertips. Inu leaned into the touch as the other hand of his partner came up over his arm, to his shoulder and in a single long touch ended up cupping the back of his neck. The fingers played a little and Inu gasped and arched his back before letting out a groan.

 

“Just a little longer.” the voice said. “I'm almost done.”

 

There were some more shifting and into view came another equal naked man with the same white hair spilled over his shoulders and the arms wrapped around Inu's back, one hand came up to support his head as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

 

Sessy leaned his head against Inu's shoulder and closed his eyes before they arched together in one smooth movement as if they were at the top of ecstasy.

 

“Who are you?” asked Sessy suddenly.

 

The man cleared his throat after he averted his eyes from the scene. “Sorry but I need your help.”

 

Both of the men in the bed turned toward him, the one called Inu blushed deep red as his eyes widen with the realization of being watched. The other narrowed his eyes as if he was observing a potential threat.

 

“Don't you have any manners?” The older man asked with hostility dripping of each word. “Don't you know its rude to disturb someone when they are eating?”

 

“Sessy.” InuYasha snapped before disentangled himself from the other and hauled himself from the bed. Much to the surprise of the man Inu were wearing pants and the zipper and top button were closed securely. Inu reached for a T-shirt laying close by and pulled it on. The worn mark of what looked like “Paladium” crossed his chest. “I'm sorry for my brother. He can be a complete ass with people. Just wait a little so--”

 

“What were you doing?” the man asked bluntly, making InuYasha's face flush.

 

“I was having my morning meal but thanks to you I couldn't finish.” Sesshoumaru said with an icing edge, making it clear he didn't like him.

 

“But you were--” he couldn't finish the sentence.

 

Sesshoumaru glared at the man in annoyance as he raised his leg, which too were dressed, and rested his elbow on it. “If you are here then you should know we aren't your every day humans.”

 

-o-o-o-o-

 

The man sat on the newly made couch and looked up at Sesshoumaru who was glaring coldly at him. He fidget a little as he felt self-conscious under the stare. An old cup was set in front of him with steam rising in slow small clouds. InuYasha stepped back and looked him up and down.

 

He could barely be more than 22. Short brown hair that was cut short. His eyes were a dull green colour that looked worn. He wasn't very muscular, more thin and soft if it was a good combination. His clothes looked new and crisp as if they were bought on this day.

 

“What do you want?” asked Sesshoumaru curtly.

 

The man looked down at the tea. “I think there is some one stalking me.”

 

“Then shouldn't you go to the police?” asked InuYasha. “Surely they can help you?”

 

“I've tried but they don't believe me. Because.... Because......................................”

 

“Because?” Sessy stressed getting annoyed once again.

 

“Because... I don't... think.... the stalker is even alive.”

 

Sesshoumaru caught the look Inu gave him and nodded with a serious face. “Tell us everything.”

 

The man gulped and looked nervous.

 

“It started nearly three months ago. I was home and about to fall asleep when suddenly I could feel someone breathing above me. I opened my eyes but there was no one. I went to sleep thinking not much about it but the next day when I woke up there was hand prints all over my cover. In blood. It continued from then on, each night and then after two weeks I began to feel someone was following me. I could feel him... it, watching me. Even when I was with others it would feel like someone was feeling me up and down with their hands. The family phone started to receive strange calls with just static running in the background. I talked to my family, even the cops but they think I'm making it up. But I...” his hands clenched tightly as he bit down on his lip.

 

InuYasha knelled down next to the table and took his hand in his. “It's OK.”

 

The man shakes his head. “No it's not.” he said in a trembling voice. “I can't stand it. It's driving me crazy.” He returned the grip on his hand and looked at Inu with big eyes. “It's worse since last week.”

 

“What happened?” asked Sesshoumaru, obviously ignoring the fact his brother was holding hand with another man.

 

“I wake up and find my cloths cut, always in the same place. And when I sleep I see a shadow there. Hovering over me with eyes staring down at me. It's always the eyes. No matter how close he is I can only see his eyes.”

 

“Is there anyone that holds a grudge against you?” InuYasha inquired lightly.

 

“NO!” the man said in denial. “I couldn't think of anyone around me that would want to hurt me. I mean...” he tried to find the words. “No. Not that I know off.”

 

Inu and Sessy shared a look before they turned back to the man.

 

“What's your name?”

 

“Shiba Tadashi.”

 

“Shiba Tadashi?” repeated Sessy with narrowed eyes.

 

The man shrank back from it. “Yes.”

 

Sesshoumaru took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Go home. We will investigate this 'stalker'.

 

“Thank you.” Shiba said with a bow while he still sat down. He took one look at Inu's hand but had to let go when InuYasha let go and stood up with a smile.

 

“I'll see you to the door.” he said politely.

 

When he finally was alone Sesshoumaru raised his hand to his mouth as if he was thinking about something. His amber eyes stared at the spot Shiba had been sitting.

 

InuYasha came back into the room and saw his brothers face. “Do you know something?”

 

Sessy looked up at his little brother and leaned back into the chair. “Maybe.”

 

Crossing the room Inu came to stand next to the older male and in a smooth movement he slid into the others lap, wrapping his arms around the others neck he rested against his shoulder.

 

“Do you feel any better?” he asked tenderly.

 

Sessy wrapped his own arms around the others waist and nodded quietly. “Mm. Thanks to you.”

 

“I'm happy.” whispered Inu before letting the silence speak for them.

 

-o-o-o-o-o-

 

Later that day, Sesshoumaru and InuYasha left their home to investigate this ghost stalker. While Sesshoumaru followed Shiba around in the shadows. InuYasha went to talk to his family.

 

“Hello?” said a voice when he opened the door to see a teen with white hair in a tail down his back and with a big smile.

 

“Hi.” Inu said cheerfully. “I'm a friend of Shiba he promised to help me with math for the upcoming test. He told me to go ahead since the teachers wanted to speak to him.”

 

“Really?” asked the boy suspiciously.

 

“Yeah. Math will never be my strong point, God knows I'm only hoping for a passing grade. Our teacher told me that if I don't pass with a 75 on next test I will have to take summer courses and since Shiba is so good with math I asked him. Of course I had to bribe him to get him to give in.”

 

“With what?”

 

Inu looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was there before leaning closer. “The new action figure of Missy in “My Little Lady”.”

 

The boy couldn't contain his laughter. “That sure sound like him. He is a freak for those action figures. I don't understand what's so great about them.”

 

Inu gave the boy a sheepish smile. “Me neither, it must be some kind of fetish.”

 

The boy opened the door fully with a smile. “Come in.”

 

“Sorry to intrude.” said InuYasha. “Are you his little brother?” he asked curiously.

 

“Yes.” the boy said. “My name's Ikki.”

 

“Nice to meet you, Ikki.”

 

The door closed behind them.

 

-o-o-o-o-o-

 

Sesshoumaru walked over to the news stand and bought one of the papers, handing the coin to the man he walked down the street with it under his arm. His eyes trailed Shiba while he kept a firm look on the surroundings.

 

So far he hadn't seen anything but that wasn't enough. If his theory was true then there should be a reason and without the reason he wasn't about to go without finding out why.

 

Shiba met up with a few friends and was heading out when they bumped into someone who quickly excused himself and ran away.

 

Sessy looked after him and when he saw the look in the students eyes he knew he had found something.

 

He followed the teen until he managed to corner him in a game shop.

 

“I want to ask something.”

 

The student looked at Sesshoumaru but failed to find if he had friendly intentions or bad.

 

“What happened between you and Shiba.”

 

The teen blanched and tried to back away. “I don't know what you mean.”

 

Sesshoumaru walked closer until he had trapped the student's only exist. “I saw the way you acted around him. I want to know why.”

 

“Nothing happened. Why don't you just ask him...” he halted when he locked eyes with the older man.

 

“Because I want you to tell me.” his eyes had a rare light in them.

 

-o-o-o-o-o-

 

Late that night InuYasha returned. He walked in and leaned against the wall. “Long day?”

 

Inu gave his brother a look that dared him to be sarcastic. “Should you ask; I hate math.”

 

Sesshoumaru smiled amused before walking over and taking him into his arms for a hug. Inu just stood there and let the embrace wash away his agony. No matter how many hugs they shared it always felt like they helped improve his mode.

 

The older man lead the other into the room where their bed stood waiting for them. “Have you eaten?”

 

The teen nodded. “Yes. Ikki brought us snacks the whole time. It's a wonder I'm even standing.”

 

“Ikki?” Sesshoumaru sat them down on the edge.

 

“Yeah. Shiba's little brother.”

 

“I see.” stated Sesshoumaru while playing with InuYasha's hair.

 

“How did it go for you?” Inu leaned into the touch.

 

“I found enough to make my conclusion stronger.”

 

Sleep was overtaking him. “When are we making our move?”

 

Sesshoumaru made a fast check on their situation. “Tomorrow night. You need to gather your strength. You didn't rest after this morning.”

 

“There wasn't any time for it.” InuYasha agreed feeling his eyes falling close.

 

Leaning back the brothers fell to the bed in each others arms and closed their eyes, not caring to pull the cover over them.

 

“Sleep.” commanded Sessy. “I exhausted you today so I will take my responsibility.”

 

“Stop making it sound like something else.”

 

Smirking, Sesshoumaru opened his eyes a little. “Why should I?”

 

“I don't like it. You makes it sound like we...are....” he couldn't finish it before sleep overtook him and sent him to the world of dreams.

 

Sesshoumaru looked at Inu's sleeping face which were filled with tenderness.

 

“It doesn't matter to me how it sounds. As long as I have you by me side.”

 

-o-o-o-o-

 

Shiba looked at his clock before returning to look around. His breath came out in puffy clouds as he rubbed his hands together. They were late. To late.

 

He had met the Taisho brothers earlier today and they had told him to met them here but they were late. He looked around nervously.

 

“Sorry for being late.” Inu said, making him jump. “Sorry for scaring you.”

 

Shiba let out the breath he almost chocked on. “Glad to see you here. I was beginning to wonder.” he didn't see the older brother though.

 

“He's soon here.” InuYasha reassured.

 

Shiba took a long look at the young “detective”. He sure didn't look like he was in this profession. No matter how you looked at him you only saw a teenager with white hair, which he admitted was strange. He didn't know anyone that wanted to bleach their hair to white.

 

InuYasha looked around as if to see if he could see the other soon. A hand reached into his hair and made him turn around fast. He saw Shiba standing there with his hand in front of him. “..sorry..” he mumbled. “Your hair just intrigued me.”

 

Inu gave him a smile. “You can touch it if you want to. It's real all the way down to the roots.”

 

“For real?” his fingers combed down the tresses and he was amazed with how soft it was. He didn't know anyone could have so soft hair. “It's soft.” he whispered.

 

Inu gave him a shy smile. “Sessy says that all the time but to me it's just hair.”

 

The man gave him a look. “So what's really going on between you two?”

 

“What?” Inu blinked as if he hadn't caught the meaning correctly.

 

“Are you really brothers? You act more like lovers.”

 

Inu couldn't help the blush from spreading. “We are just brothers.”

 

“Then what was that I walked in on the first day? It sure looked like you were having sex wi-”

 

“It's not like that.” interrupted the silver haired teen.

 

The grip on InuYasha's hair tightened. “Then how is it?” he asked in a hard voice. He yanked InuYasha closed by his hair, making the teen yelp in pain. “No matter how you look at it, it looks like you are fucking your brother.”

 

“No.” denied InuYasha.

 

“Tell me.” Shiba sneered. “Do you do it just because you don't have to look for a partner or do you honestly enjoy fucking your own family. You sick bastard.”

 

“NO!”

 

“I don't think you have a right to talk.” interrupted a voice.

 

Shiba's wrist was taken and squeezed so hard he let go of InuYasha's hair. Sesshoumaru glared daggers down at the man while he continued to tighten his hold. “For someone that passes judgement on others when they themselves are meant to be judged, that's arrogant.”

 

Sessy let go with a shove and Shiba staggered backwards. “You bastard.” he snarled.

 

“For someone that doesn't realize their own situation you sure have a lot to say.”

 

“I don't need to be told of by the likes of you.” Shiba spat.

 

Sesshoumaru glared back. “You can come out.” he shouted.

 

Around the corner came a figure into view. At first Shiba couldn't make out who it was but when it came closer he took a step back.

 

“No.” he whispered. “That's impossible.”

 

An identical face stared back at him and it made his blood stop.

 

“What is this about?” he demanded. “What kind of sick joke is this?”

 

“This is no joke.” InuYasha said behind Sesshoumaru, a safe distance away from the third party. “It's something that happens often when someone hold on to tightly.”

 

Shiba turned to run away but came face to face, and even closer, with his look alike. The face stared back at him and captured him in a tight hug.

 

He screamed in pain as his whole body started to flicker and his face twisted in agony.

 

Sesshoumaru walked closer until he could easily touch the mixed images of the same person. “Normally I would just eat things like you but there is something I can't forgive.” he took a step backward and his face turned cold and emotionless. “Go to hell, you sick bastard.”

 

The images began to melt into the ground and vanished without a trace.

 

He turned around and saw InuYasha holding onto his own arm while he stared at the spot Shiba had last been. He walked closer to the younger one. “Are you all right?”

 

Inu nodded before walking into the waiting arms of his brother. “I am. What he said hurts but it's not the first time I've heard them and not the worst either.”

 

Sesshoumaru petted the others hair in an affectionate manner. “Let's go home.”

 

The younger sibling nodded and without letting go of each other they began the track home.

 

-o-o-o-o-o-

 

In bed, InuYasha rested against Sesshoumaru's chest. Unable to sleep.

 

“He had double personality.” said Sesshoumaru who too was awake. “In front of his family and friends he was a sweet kid with an outgoing attitude but behind the mask hid an insane racist. He wasn't to well known but he made a name for himself among the gangs and it happened that he attacked someone just to went anger. Then one night he came across his little brother with a few of his friends. He didn't like the way one of them was always touching his kid brother. Later that night he found them on their way home after they dropped of Ikki and he killed the guy. The others took a bad beating but when they tried to flee there were an accident and Shiba died.”

 

“But he was unable to rest and his split personality held onto life so he came back.” whispered InuYasha.

 

“That's right. But his personalities were even more split, defining themselves as separate beings. But while his mad side dominated his innocent side drifted around, trying to return so he could stop his other self.”

 

“That was when the 'stalking' began.”

 

Sessy nodded.

 

“Was his other self trying to make things right by telling his other side that they had died.”

 

He nodded once again and with his eyes closed let his thoughts drift around, enjoying the warmth of the other. “Mhm. But maybe the one that knew all along was the first one to come to us with a request for this job.”

 

InuYasha too closed his eyes.

 

--Flash--

 

“Please. I need you too help him. His brother is insane and I fear that it won't be long until he comes after me too.”

 

“Why do you say that?”

 

“Ikki is very sweet. I want to protect him but that might be read as something else and when that reaches his ears it will be to late. Please, I don't want Ikki to suffer because of his brother.”

 

--Flash--

 

“Maybe he knew that he didn't have long left to live and that's why Shiba died that night too. Too keep Ikki safe.”

 

“Who knows.” whispered Sesshoumaru.

 

The stars outside the large window were clear in the black sky and even though they couldn't see the moon, they still knew it was there somewhere. The lights of the city couldn't hide it.

 

“I know though,” continued Sessy. “How they felt. To keep someone important to you safe you would do anything for them. Even after death. I can't say I blame Shiba but I can't forgive him either. At least not one of his sides.”

 

“How did you know? That he was already dead?” his arm travelled around Sesshoumaru's waist as he waited for the answer.

 

“I could sense something was off when I saw him and I heard whispers around the time of his death how there had been someone to return and the name “Tadashi”. I wasn't sure at first but when I cornered one of the victims from that night it was made clear.”

 

“Next time...” Inu began.

 

“Hm?”

 

“Eat his spirit. You need the energy and I can't supply you every time you run low.”

 

“Why not? Your energy are such a delicious meal after all.” Sessy smirked unseeingly by the other.

 

“No way. If you are going to leave a feeding opportunity then I'm not going to support you when you need it.”

 

“I can't help it.” Sessy defended himself light heartedly before his mode turned dark. “I couldn't forgive him.”

 

“For what?”

 

“For treating you like that.”

 

-o-o-o-o-

 

2 Years Later

 

“Excuse me,” he called the young lady cleaning the front door. “I'm here about the second room on the top floor.”

 

“Oh, yes.” the woman said happily while putting her broom away. Her dark hair fell over her shoulder and her slender hand opened the door to let them both inside.

 

“You said you were planing to stay for a long time, is that right?” she asked just to be sure.

 

“Yes. That's my plans anyway.”

 

“That's good to hear. This place have seen many families and people live here. It's like those that come here can't find the heart to leave this place. Myself included.” she finished with a light laugh as they entered the elevator.

 

When they finally reached the top floor and walked outside the moving cage they meet a man with short white hair.

 

“Hello Sesshoumaru. This is your new neighbour.”

 

“Hello, I'm Ikki Tadashi.” the man bowed politely.

 

“Hello, Sesshoumaru Taisho. It's nice to make you acquaintance.”

 

“You too.” Ikki said cheerfully.

 

“If you'll excuse me.” Sesshoumaru walked down the stairs, taking them two at the time.

 

“Have he lived here for long?” Ikki asked curiously.

 

The woman dug in her pocket. “Yes. He and his brother have been here for as long as I can remember.” she caught it and unlocked the door, it slid open with a creak.

 

“How long if you don't mind me asking.” he followed her inside.

 

“Dunno.” she shrugged her shoulders. ”According to my grandma who ran this place before she passed away she told me that they lived here before her parents took over it. Just the two of them.”

 

End Case 2!