InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Double or Nothing: Take the Money & Run ❯ The Ex-Wife Club ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter Three: The Ex-Wife Club

 

 

Kagome decided to quell her aggravation with pie and stopped off at the Fifth Street Diner. The shiny metal building had a nineteen fifties retro design to it and was open, like all good diners should be, twenty four hours a day. She ordered a hot slice of strawberry and rhubarb.

 

I have no one to blame for that little incident back there but myself. I should've left the minute he answered the door.

 

Sesshomaru's deep seated hated for his half brother was legendary. So much so she doubted he was kidding about wanting to kill him. However Sesshomaru was also fond of his creature comforts so she doubted he would be trading in his stereo speaks and marijuana stash for a buzz cut and orange jump suit anytime soon. He'd probably have to settle for making Inuyasha's a life a living hell, which was something he proved to have quite the talent for. So that could only mean one thing. The pointy eared bastard was telling the truth and had no clue to Inuyasha's wear abouts. Unless…

 

Sesshomaru wasn't gainfully employed. Everyone in town feared him too much to hire him, not that he actually wanted to work. So where'd he get his money? Maybe there was more to the situation than she'd first realized. If he was living off Inutaisho's money then he would've abandoned the run down townhouse for quarters on the upper west side.

 

Kagome pulled out her miniature note pad and scribbled a quick note. Last resort….go back to Inu house after Sesshomaru has left.

 

She sighed. I've been on this case for two hours and I just added breaking and enter to my to-do list, right below the note to pick up some more litter for the hedgehog box… This sucks. Maybe today pie wasn't going to be enough. Hell this might even call for a sundae too.

 

Kagome ordered the sundae and was fiddling with the mini jupe box, it was stuck on Madonna's Lucky Star, next to the metal napkin dispenser when a tall woman slid into the seat across from her.

 

She looked up and saw Kikyo, Inuyasha's estranged wife. Or was it ex-wife. It was hard to keep track as Kikyo tended to claim whatever title best suited her purposes at the moment.

 

Kikyo crossed her legs, which were encased in knee high, black leather high heeled boots and leaned across the table. She addressed Kagome casually as thought they'd always been the best of friends. “So I hear you're looking for Inuyasha?”

 

Kagome almost dropped her pie fork. Who told her? Surely not Sesshomaru…

 

Kikyo undid her banana clip and shook out her long shiny dark hair. Then she reached for the extra fork and helped herself to a hearty helping of Kagome's pie. “I went by your uncle's place for the stat sheet on Inu and he told me he'd already given it to you.”

 

Doesn't she work for Myoga's rival Totosai? Where does she get off coming in here? Kagome forced her self to swallow and take a long drink of cool water before answering. “He did. But why were you there? You don't work for Myoga and seeing how we're searching for your… ex-husband isn't that a minor conflict of interest?”

 

Kikyo shrugged and unconsciously turned the wedding band on her left ring finger as she spoke. “We weren't ever married. That was just a misunderstanding.” The waitress, who was clearing the table behind them broke into a coughing fit at Kikyo's declaration and dropped a tray of dirty silverware. It fell to the floor with a loud CLANG!

 

Kagome ignored the eavesdropping waitress and shot back. “I saw the engagement announcement in the paper five years ago! Since when were you never married?” Was it the moment you figured out you could make a cool ten grand on his head?

 

Kikyo smirked. “Like I said, grave misunderstanding.”

 

Kagome knew this was a pointless battle but she couldn't stand the idea of letting Kikyo get away with this ridiculous façade. “And the wedding photos your aunt had printed in the paper?”

 

She smiled sweetly. “April fools joke.” Weren't you married in July?

 

Kagome closed her eyes before she gave in and rolled them. “Photoshop huh?”

 

“Yup.”

 

She pushed the pie plate away and decided to get the sundae to go. “Whatever. I've only been at this for two hours and there isn't anything on the stat sheet you don't already know. I don't have any information to share.”

 

Kikyo cocked her head and her large gold hoop earrings brushed the padded shoulders of her white turtleneck. “What did Sesshomaru tell you?”

 

Kagome's eyes flashed. “You've been following me!”

 

Kikyo leaned back against the booth. “Maybe. So what he'd say?”

 

Kagome's tone was flat. “So he wouldn't talk to you?”

 

Kikyo studied a long acrylic nail. “Nope. Slammed the door right in my face.” She turned her dark gaze back to Kagome. “But I couldn't help noticing he seemed right chummy with you.”

 

Kagome wanted to say something biting and sarcastic but the truth spilled out. “The only thing he was… was stoned.”

 

Kikyo added softly, “And horny.”

 

Kagome shrugged. “Maybe but that isn't my department. I just questioned him and left.”

 

Kikyo laughed. “Really that isn't your department? Funny that's not what the men's room at the Hideaway says.”

 

Kagome's head began to hurt. Doesn't anyone in this God forsaken pit of a town EVER forget anything? “I have it on good authority that wall was a slanderous lie and it was painted over no less than eight years ago.” If Kikyo could play the lie game so could she. But the wall had been painted; Kagome knew this because she'd done the honors herself. Of course it hadn't helped that everyone in town had already seen it but it made her feel a bit better.

 

Kikyo nodded. “Sure kid. Anyway I don't know why you didn't castrate him for that. He would've had it coming.”

 

Kikyo was cold and Kagome had no difficult picturing her chasing a man down with the business end of a grapefruit spoon. Kagome had no answer for her. After all why was Kikyo asking her this when she was the one who actually married the jerk? All and all who made the bigger mistake? “So now you know I don't have any information. Are you still gonna follow me?”

 

“Maybe, you are so easy to follow in that little car. I just follow the smoke and there you are.” Kikyo's eyes widened as the waitress sat the sundae on the table between them and added an extra spoon.

 

“Yeah thanks so much for noticing.” Kagome stared dejectedly at the sundae than glanced at her watch. Mickey told her she had twenty minutes to get across town and meet Koga. Thank God!

 

Kagome stood and dropped her last ten dollar bill on the table. “Sorry to eat and run but I gotta go. You can keep the sundae.”

 

Kikyo pulled it closer to her side of the table. “Thanks, I think I will.”

 

Kagome spared the sundae one last look and picked up her coat.

_-_-_-_-_-_

 

Rogers' Shooting Gallery

 

Koga waited for Kagome by the concrete steps. They knew each other in passing but this was the first time they'd shared a real conversation. She was fifteen minutes late, thanks to the traffic on 222 and he was pissed. So things were already off to a great start.

 

Koga wore a short pair of khaki shorts and a black t-shirt that showed off his chest to it's best advantage. The outfit would have been normal if it wasn't thirty degrees outside. Kagome paused to appreciate his legs as she ducked out of her car.

 

He watched her approach and ran his hand through his wavy pointy tail in disgust. “I knew it. This is complete nepotism! Why else would Myoga saddle me with…you?”

 

Kagome glanced down at her sweater and skirt outfit. Okay so maybe the heels were a bit much but it was a nice skirt. This morning she'd dressed for a job interview after all not to play GI Jane. “I needed the job.”

 

He looked pointedly at her car. One of her car doors was a different color than the others. “That's obvious.”

 

Kagome put her hand on hip. “So are we going to do this or what?”

 

Koga sighed, “Yeah sure, I couldn't have your bloody death on my conscious.”

 

Kagome brightened. “Thanks!”

 

He shook his head. “Don't thank me just yet. I didn't say you'd live just that I wouldn't feel guilty if you got shot because I am gonna to try to teach you the basics.” Koga's eyes slid slowly down her body. Kagome's hand drew into a fist. IF one more guy gives me the once over today…I swear to God!

 

He surprised her by softening his expression. “You're kind of pretty. Maybe this won't be so bad after all. Come on, it's cold as ass out here. Let's get inside.”

 

Kagome resisted the urge to point out that an ass would be warm not cold and followed him through the swinging glass doors. She glanced over her should searching for any sign of Kiyo and found none. She must still be back at the diner enjoying her free sundae.

_-_-_-_-_-_

 

Kagome followed Koga into the shooting gallery. He surprised her by passing by the reinforced bullet proof glass door and opening the door to the break room. He tossed his keys on to the counter and motioned for Kagome to pull up a stool.

 

She did and he stood across from her leaning over the counter.

Koga closed his dark eyes and sighed. Kagome put her hands in her lap waiting for the oncoming lecture. He surprised her by smiling pleasantly and flashing a white smile complete with sharp canines.

“So how's your mom?”

 

Okay if it's false pleasantries he wants then I'll give it him. “She's fine.”

 

Kagome refused to encourage the ridiculous conversation by asking after his family. But then has anyone ever met any of Koga's family? The joke about town was that he was a `lone wolf'. His family and background was so guarded it was also said he was raised by Godless feral wolves, the actual dogs not the yokai wolves, and not a real family. Kagome doubted this was true. Any idiot knew wolves ran in packs and family was of the up most importance. She imagined Koga encouraged these rumors to add to his reputation.

 

He nodded. “Good.” Koga drummed his claws on the table. “So what are you playing at here?”

 

“Excuse me?” Oh no, not this AGAIN!

 

“You don't have the stuff to be a skip tracer. Kagome it's dangerous work.” His pointed ears fell flat against his head and he narrowed his eyes at her. “You're gonna get killed.”

 

Kagome had already accepted this possible outcome and decided it was infinitely better than moving back in with her parents. She determined a distraction was her best ploy. “What's a skip tracer?”

 

Koga groaned and dug his claws into the counter top. “Babe, ya don't know? That's the legal and technical definition for a bounty hunter. Skip Tracer, they skip bond and we trace their where abouts…more or less.”

 

Kagome raised a black eyebrow. “Oh, thanks. Good to know.”

 

He slammed his fist onto the counter. “See that's the problem. You have absolutely no experience and no idea what the hell you are doing!”

 

She asked “So how did you fall into the glamorous world of `skip' tracing”? Maybe if he starts talking about himself he'll forget to lecture me.

 

He frowned. “I was special forces in the military. I have talents that allot of people are willing to pay for. Skip tracing is a side job. It's damned dangerous and unpredictable. So naturally I only go after the big guys. The bigger the money, the better the chase.”

 

Kagome traced the fake wood grain of the counter with her finger nail. “So you must be good?”

 

Koga's lips spread in a proud grin of wicked proportions. “Babe when ya need a job done right, ya gotta call the wolf.”

 

Kagome smiled. “Good. I'm glad to know I will be learning from the best.”

 

Koga nodded then paused. “No. You are leaving here and finding yourself a normal job. Some place where you can wear form fitting shirts, heels and a skirt. A job where you don't get shot at on a regular basis.”

 

Kagome sucked on her tongue and briefly considered breaking out in tears. This was a low blow and she decided to save it in case she needed it later. Instead she pulled her chin up and rose from the stool. “That's fine. But I will be a skip tracer and I will learn to use a gun. I need this job. I'll just find someone else to teach me.”

 

She picked up her purse and turned towards the door. Kagome took one slow step. Then another and her heel clicked on the tiles of the floor. She resisted the urge to look over her shoulder to see Koga's expression. She reached for the door knob and began to count to ten in her head.

 

One Mississippi…Two Mississippi…Five Mississippi… then Bingo! She heard him groan.

 

“Okay just wait a second.” His tone was put out and pained.

 

Kagome swung around to face him. She plastered her brightest grin across her lips. “Yes?”

 

Koga shook his head as he pulled a sweat band from his back pocket and tugged it down across his forehead. He checked his long ponytail and looked up at Kagome. “Babe, ya win already. Let's do this.”

_-_-_-_-_

 

Notes:

Inuyashaloverr: Thanks so much for reading this stuff and all of your support. I got a bang out of reading your profile…dirt very funny. It's people like you who make writing this stuff worth while.