InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Kagome ❯ Wolfsong ( Chapter 7 )

A/N : I do not own the characters featured in this work of fiction, they are copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi.. It is my greatest hope that no one be offended, hence the ...

 

WARNING: MATURE THEME - Profanity, Violence, Adult situations, Sexual Innuendo and content.

 

 

 

FINDING KAGOME

 

 

 

Chapter Seven

 

 

 

 

“Jenkins, can we get the local broadcasts yet?” Sesshoumaru's voice was raised slightly as he pressed the intercom button.

 

“I think so my Lord, we are within range I believe.”

 

Sesshoumaru pressed another button, and a panel slid on the forward wall exposing a large screen, which blinked on showing a slightly snowy picture of cats talking to each other about smell of their litter box.

 

InuYasha was transfixed to the scene, a look of shocked amazement on his features.

 

“Those cats are talking??” he sat down heavily not looking away from the screen.

 

“They are just cats. It is a trick of technology that makes them appear to be having a conversation,” responded the demon. “You will find much of this on television, InuYasha. It is a form of entertainment in this era.”

 

“I've seen it before, I still don't get how they put those little people inside that box,” he pondered, “Kagome told me once, but it didn't make any sense.”

 

“They aren't really inside, just shadows of them,” responded Sesshoumaru as he pointed the remote and changed the station, “there, no more cats.”

 

“Well, as you yourself have reported recently, there has been an increase in the reports of break ins and the like...” came from the screen.

 

“Worse now, people that make no sense. . . what is that thing?” InuYasha reached for the remote.

 

“Not now, halfbreed. . . I want to hear this,” Sesshoumaru picked up the remote and moved it out of his brother's reach, his full attention on the screen..

 

“... has to do with a sudden increase in homicides. The SFPD is investigating each one diligently, and finding very few clues. Also there has been an increase in missing person reports being filed, and that too is requiring more manpower.”

 

InuYasha huffed and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms inside his haori.

 

“So do you think this increase in the budget will solve the problem, Councilman?”

 

“Well, it will be a start. Finding out what has brought about this trend will help us to really solve the problem.”

 

“Do you think it is some religious cult?”

 

“Oh, I am hardly an expert on that kind of speculation.”

 

“An inside source at the SFPD has made that claim.”

 

“Perhaps some of the evidence has indicated that there may be a community mind behind the attacks, but to speculate that it is anything other than organized is perhaps... premature.”

 

The growl that emanated from his elder half-brother's throat caught InuYasha off guard. He peered at him, to make sure that it wasn't directed at him.

 

“Kouga. . . the bastard has moved in on my city.” He growled again, reaching for Tokojin reflexively.

 

InuYasha looked at the screen, then back at the demon. “Huh? How do you know that's Kouga?”

 

“He had already been terrorizing the forested areas before I left for Tokyo. This is his doing, these things are not being done by any humans. The situation is even graver than this Sesshoumaru had thought.” Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to the screen where pictures of some kind of recovery were being shown. He nodded to the screen, “this is how it has been for some time. . . this also is his doing. . .”

 

InuYasha's ears went straight up, as he leaned in to hear the report.

 

“...although 5 more bodies were found in a cave, deep within Redwood National Forest, this morning, in varying states of decay. This brings the total to 35 people found, since the rampage began approximately 4 months ago.”

 

“They are filth, his whole pack,” muttered the demon. “They are eating humans. . . then leaving this kind of mess behind as though they wish to be found.”

 

“...and as we approached... well... the smell...I found a leg over there...it looked like it had just been... torn off!”

 

The picture had improved measurably, and InuYasha could see a forested area with a number of people milling around, with vehicles where they were loading large black bags.

 

“Do you have any idea how many are in his pack, now?” The hanyou asked as he brought his legs up cross legged in the chair, leaning forward, chin in hand as he calculated what would be involved in stopping this monster.

 

“Now?” Sesshoumaru shook his head. “It's hard to say. . . but too many if they are encroaching on the city as it appears.”

 

“So what is your plan, Jackass?” InuYasha sat up straight, then leaned in to conspire.

 

“We have to go for the heart. . . we must sniff out his camp, and destroy it. . . it will not be easy.”

 

“And you have an idea where it might be?”

 

“A very general idea, but yes.” Sesshoumaru examined InuYasha for a moment. “Have you any idea why he would come here to begin with?”

 

“No. . .” InuYasha stopped, thinking back. “The only reason for any of his movements in the past were related to the Shikon no Tama, and preservation of his pack. That's why he wanted Kagome, because she could sense the shards.”

 

“You did not destroy the jewel, am I correct?”

 

“I told you, Jackass.. I buried it with Kagome. Deep in the ground. There's no way anyone could have found it.”

 

“But it was never . . . used. . .” Sesshoumaru looked speculatively at the hanyou. “Could it be that the same reason that you are here, has brought this beast?”

 

InuYasha scowled. “You mean. . . to find Kagome? But surely she doesn't have the Shikon.”

 

“How did she have it to begin with?” Sesshoumaru took his brother's wrist for emphasis, “Be very clear to me with this, halfbreed. It's important. . .”

 

“It was in her body. I don't know how it got there, she didn't even know herself. The Centipede slashed her side, and suddenly. . . there it was. . .” InuYasha seemed to be looking far away.

 

“So. . . then. . . Is it possible that in her current incarnation, she again possesses the jewel?” Sesshoumaru sat back, releasing his brother's wrist.

 

“You are giving me a brain cramp. . .” InuYasha shook his head, making his ears flap, then rubbed the backs of his hands against his eyes.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama,” interrupted the intercom.

 

The demon reached his clawed hand to press the button. “Yes Jenkins?”

 

“We are approaching for landing, my Lord. Time to buckle up.”

 

“Yes Jenkins. . . Thank you”

 

He nodded to his brother and they both moved to the flight seats to the rear of the cabin. Their swords adjusted, they each belted and the sensation of the decent began to tug on InuYasha's stomach as he gripped the hand rest.

 

“FUCK I hate this!” he hissed, his face in a grimace, ears flat against his head.

 

“This is the last time. . . I promise,” and Sesshoumaru once again laid his hand on his brother's wrist. “Welcome home, little brother.” and the Demon Lord smiled.

 

 

 

~ooO0Ooo~

 

 

 

“That wasn't so bad. . .” boasted InuYasha as they walked the short distance from the stairs to the waiting car. “Not that I would do it again anytime soon. . .”

 

“Indeed,” acknowledge the demon.

 

“What was that paper you gave to Jenkins?” he asked, tilting his head in curiosity.

 

Sesshoumaru stood by the door, waiting for the driver to open it. “We sit in the rear, you get in first,” he instructed. The driver did not meet their eyes as he opened the door with a quiet, “My Lord,” and InuYasha leaned over to look inside the limousine, which was as richly appointed as the jet had been. He looked at his brother, who urged him in with a nod. With a toothy grin he tossed his bags and hat in, then followed, seating himself to see forward, while Sesshoumaru took the seat facing him, and reaching to the side pressed a button which brought up a screen between their area and the driver's.

Before it closed completely he issued instructions to the driver as to where to go, who nodded, “yes sir.”

 

“The paper was a check, halfbreed. . . a financial promissory note,” informed the demon. “A gift to a valued employee, who has pups to care for now.”

 

“Boy, aren't you soft in your old age. . .” teased the hanyou. His only response was a raised brow.

 

“The way that this Sesshoumaru sees the situation, is that there are two choices. Either we find Kouga's lair, and hopefully Kouga. . . and destroy them. . . or. . . we find Kagome first, since that is what has, most likely, brought him here.”

 

InuYasha fingered his rosary, which had started tingling his skin since the landing. Both options were going to be a major challenge. He watched the lights out the window for a few moments, considering both sides. Kami, he wanted to find Kagome. . . but his brother was right, he had much to do to prepare, he probably wouldn't even be able to talk to her, if what Sesshoumaru had said was right.

 

“I say it's about time for a good fight, lets find Kouga,” he fingered the hilt of his sword.

 

“I was hoping you would say that, halfbreed,” and Sesshoumaru grinned wickedly.

 

The driver had been instructed to, rather than drive directly to the Demon Lord's compound, take Highway 101 north until further notice. The ride was nearly as tedious as the flight had been for InuYasha, and he would periodically stretch and twist himself around to try to relieve the muscle cramping that came from too much inactivity.

 

Occasionally Sesshoumaru would point out some configuration of lights in the distance and tell his younger brother a piece of history of the area. Being night, it was not the best time for a tour, but the one grouping of lights on the hill facing the sea was of particular interest.

 

“There, do you see? On the hill. . . that is my home. . . now your home, InuYasha,” he pointed off to the west. “It is a decent property, with plenty of room for you run, and the staff are all trustworthy individuals.”

 

“Are they all youkai?”

 

“No.” Sesshoumaru thought for a moment, “There aren't that many true youkai now. And not all of them see eye to eye with this Sesshoumaru's belief in the sanctity of human life.”

 

“Hn,” responded the hanyou. He barely believed it himself.

 

 

~ooO0Ooo~

 

 

After some considerable time of riding in silence, Sesshoumaru directed the driver to park the car. InuYasha had nodded off a couple of times,the tingling of his rosary abating more and more as they drew further from the city. Lulled by the purring sound of the engine and the mild vibration of the road beneath them, he was unsure just how much time had passed.

 

“From here we use our own legs,” and Sesshoumaru exited the limousine first. “Keep the car here, you packed provisions for yourself I assume?” He spoke curtly to the driver contrasting markedly from the warmth he had exhibited toward Mantocleir and Jenkins.

 

“Yes, my Lord,” the driver responded, not making eye contact.

 

“Come InuYasha, this way. . .” and he leaped up into the trees. The hanyou cast a glance back at the driver, to see he had settled back with his hat covering his features, before leaping up after his brother to land gracefully on a high limb of a redwood. The breeze was gentle, as it brushed through his hair, it felt good to be outside again.

 

“I take it you have been here looking before,” he commented. Though Sesshoumaru was a good 20 feet away, their keen hearing allowed for them to communicate without raising their voices beyond normal level.

 

“Indeed. . . This place is not far from where those mutilated bodies were found,” the demon responded. “The one's we saw on that news report. . .”

 

InuYasha lifted his head breathing deeply the scents of the forest around them. There was a faint stink of death on the air. He nodded his finding to the demon, and together they jumped high in the air in the same malodorous direction. He knew Kouga's scent, and that was what he sought.

 

Sesshoumaru stopped on a boulder by a low river some distance away, and motioned for InuYasha to come, pointing down toward a carcass of an elk. There were no sounds, except the rustling of the trees on the light breeze, as InuYasha landed next to the beast.

 

“You've got some big deer here,” he knelt down to examine the remains. Looking up at the demon, he sniffed. “Fresh kill. . . looks like we interrupted someone.”

 

“That is a Roosevelt Elk, halfbreed. The species is endangered, it's illegal to hunt them,” Sesshoumaru jumped lightly down beside the hanyou, kneeling to look at the tracks in the sandy dirt.

“The throat was ripped out. . . no man did that.” He looked at his brother, who nodded his agreement. Both of them sniffed the air, and together they moved soundlessly in the direction of the tracks, away from the water. Suddenly off to the east, there was a howl. Simultaneously their swords were drawn as they each leaped up into the trees in the direction of the wolf song.

 

High in the trees, the answering call came, this time from the south. The two looked at one another, knowing fully well no wolf climbs trees. InuYasha raised his head, pulling at the air for some taste of who, or what, that sound came from. The breeze was in the wrong direction, and he snarled, leaping toward the south followed by Sesshoumaru, who moved more easterly spreading their net of observation. The scent of musk was increasing as they pursued the direction of the wolf song, that and the scent of decay. InuYasha wrinkled his nose, wolves were just so. . . nasty. He could barely see his brother off to the east as he continued to try to sniff out the source of the howl, bouncing from tree to tree.

 

Suddenly there was a bright flash from the east, and yelping as he caught the sight of the demon's whip of light swirling in the air. Moving in that direction, he transformed Tetsusaiga to it's full power, allowing the glow of the sword to light his way. Snarling erupted as he arrived on the scene, to find Sesshoumaru surrounded by a score of unmoving canines, with more moving in. Glancing around he realized that they were surrounded by a huge pack, perhaps 200 snarling wolves moving in, their eyes glowing through the foliage.

 

 

~ooO0Ooo~