InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Kagome ❯ Chapter Eighteen ( Chapter 18 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha and company, however I DO own an overactive imagination...





Chapter Eighteen


The sun made it's way toward the horizon, though there was no view of it from where the two brothers sat in the limousine. Attire had been changed to the more modern look of Sesshoumaru's white slacks and trench coat, with Inuyasha sporting the outfit that had been purchased for him for the journey to the states. Sesshoumaru had presented him with a leather jacket, much in the style of the soft shoes and hat that he wore, which had a long fluttering fringe across the chest and back, as well as down the arms, with the same conch style metal adornments as his hat. The fashion pictures that Laura had shown him earlier that day of what she had called Classic Western Style reflected the same types of design. Clint had told him what a cow-boy was, and it was nothing like he had imagined. He now knew that the term 'Dude' was not derogatory, but a common reference. So much to remember, so much swam in his head. He watched the buildings pass, as the car wove through the streets. This was a different driver, and he swore he could feel the difference as the car moved gracefully from one lane to another, without so much a mild rocking motion.

“Oi, jackass,” he broke the silence between them, as they made their way through the streets of the city. “What happened to that other driver? The one that pissed you off...” he inwardly shuddered at the memory of the scene of his brother 'disciplining' the driver for not responding fast enough.

“This Sesshoumaru took his younger brother's counsel under advisement... and dismissed the useless twit,” came the bland response. Their eyes locked for a moment, as Inuyasha took in just exactly what the demon had said.

“My counsel?” He tipped his hat back, as he sat back in the seat. “I really do hate it when you talk like that, it's like you're talking about someone else...” he eyed his elder brother, then cast his gaze out the window to the enormous buildings lining this street. “You make it sound like it's not you, or me you are talking about... some other guys...” his eyes grew wide as they passed large animated billboard, depicting a scantily clad three dimensional female offering a bottle of beer seductively. “They sure do get big around here!” and he whistled low.

“Hn,” was the demon's only response, as he appeared to impassively observe the hanyou's reaction to the passing scene. “Same technology as the Television, halfbreed.”

“Well, she needs to put some clothes on...” and he pulled back from the window with a slight blush, holding his arms as if they were inside his haori. “How much longer?”

“Soon, Inuyasha.” The demon smiled inwardly. His little brother was a grown man, certainly, yet in so many ways he held a peculiar kind of innocence. And even with all the tragedies he had faced, he still managed to maintain a youthful exuberance that was endearing. Though the ancient demon's countenance didn't show it, he was honored to be with him now.

They both looked out the window as the limo turned up a long hillside street. Sesshoumaru glanced at the sign on the corner, it was the street of the address. It was a middle class neighborhood of converted Victorian style homes, turned apartments which housed mostly the young working class.
The limo continued up the hill, then down the opposite side, coming to a stop not far past the crest.

“I believe we are here, Inuyasha,” he announced as he pulled on a white knit cap, effectively drawing his hair around his exotic markings. Inuyasha adjusted his hat, and fingered where Tetsusaiga should be on his left hip, frowning. Something just didn't feel right, and it wasn't just the absence of his sword. As the driver opened the door, Inuyasha exited first, standing and stretching his frame as he took in the line of houses that descended down the street on both sides. Catching his hat as it slid back, he stepped back to allow Sesshoumaru to exit, then looked up at the house directly across the street. As the elder was telling the driver to wait in the car, he noticed that there was a broken window on an upstairs room, and the glint of something stuck on the top of the glass.

“Look, jackass... over there... is that what I think it is?” He pointed toward the window. Sesshoumaru shaded his eyes from the reflection of the setting sun on the window, peering at it.
“Kuso!” Inuyasha hissed. “Taijiya?? Here?” As he looked down to the ground in an attempt at casualness, Sesshoumaru glanced to the source of his brother's astonishment. A female had just exited the same house wearing a peace officer's uniform, sans the headgear, which he knew varied depending on the officer's assignment. She carried a case on her back, slung across her shoulder and she looked very displeased.

“That is law enforcement, not a slayer,” he breathed for no other ears than his brothers. He too, struck a casual pose as he shut the door. The female had noticed them, hopefully she had thought nothing of it, as she appeared to be getting into her vehicle. “Don't look her way, don't show her your eyes,” again his words nothing more than breath. Looking away from the vehicle, “There's a ward on that window, and yet the window is broken. Whom ever did it, did not gain entry from there.”

“That's what I thought,” replied the hanyou, as he fidgeted with the fringe on the front of his jacket, casting a hooded glance at the car as it pulled away. He knew his eyes, though mirrors of his brothers, were unique enough to draw attention. And a second glance by that female could end their opportunity to find out more about this Kagome Higurashi. Only after the car had disappeared over the crest of the hill and out of site, did they return their attention to the building across the street.

“In the words of a dear old friend, this does not bode well,” commented Sesshoumaru, as they headed across the quiet street.

“Hn... whatever,” replied Inuyasha as he cautiously followed the demon into the front door of the building, though the phrase was one that triggered... something... who was it that used to say that all the time? Surely it wasn't anyone that Sesshoumaru knew , let alone called an old friend...

Quietly as death the two moved through a common hallway, past the manager's office and quarters, and found the stairs leading to the second floor.

“You feel that?” Inuyasha whispered.

“Indeed,” replied Sesshoumaru, equally as quiet. “It's not fresh...”

“But, it's definitely wolf...” and as they reached the top of the stairs, upon seeing the door broken and off the hinges, he exclaimed, “FUCK!!” His brother grabbed him around the head with lightening speed and clamped his clawed hand over his mouth.

“Not here, halfbreed!” he hissed in his ear as he pushed him through the doorway. The number on the door was right... and the place was in a shambles.”We don't have much time, the female will be back soon with others, I am certain of it.”

Inuyasha stood in the middle of what had been a small living room, his jaw agape. The place reeked of wolf, but there was no scent of blood. Just total chaos. Broken glass and pottery was all over the floor, and as he moved carefully from room to room it was more of the same. Pillows torn, stuffing tossed in all directions, pictures torn from the walls and thrown carelessly on the floor.

“It appears that they were looking for something, and it doesn't look like they found it.” Sesshoumaru came into the bedroom, where Inuyasha had stopped. His brother was holding a broken picture frame in his hands, dusting off the broken pieces of glass. “What have you there?” he asked, glancing around at the wild confusion of tossed clothing, emptied drawers and shredded bedding.

“It's Goshinboku,” he replied, distantly. Then he reached down and picked up yet another broken frame, “Oh Kami!”

“Inuyasha!”warned his brother, then looked at the photo that he held. It was of the strange little miko as a young girl wearing that nearly indecent outfit, which he now recognized as being a school uniform. And his brother was transfixed on it, tears brimming in his eyes. “Now is not the time for sentimentality, halfbreed! You wanted evidence, then find your evidence... now.”

“Right...” as he wiped his nose on the back of his sleeve, Inuyasha frantically looked around at all the destruction, as his brother edged himself to the window to look out on the street. “Fuck, Sesshoumaru... where do I start??”

“Where did she go, halfbreed? Look for something with an address on it, or a book with writing in it, numbers... anything like that,” he returned his attention to the window and the street below..

At first, Inuyasha picked at the flimsy undergarments and such that littered the bedroom floor, noting that even the alarm clock had been stomped to pieces. He wandered from room to room, trying to work past his anger and freshened grief... past the scent of the invaders... digging through and reaching out with his very spirit for some sense of his mate.

Sesshoumaru maintained his vigil by the bedroom window, cautious of the wards that had been slapped on it, apparently in haste. There was a familiarity to them, and careful to remain in shadow he moved closer to inspect the Kanji on the sutra. Finely drawn with a calligrapher's hand in gold paint, were prayers for protection, good health, abundance of spirit. Even the sense of the weave of power around them was familiar as he edged his clawed hand near them, feeling the force of the barrier... could it be?

“I can't read this, is it anything?” Inuyasha had reentered the room holding out a small book bound in plastic with the image of sakura blossoms on it, while under his arm he held fast to a small narrow first aide kit. In the other hand a small box of chamomile tea. Sesshoumaru took the book, and opened it to find addresses and dates, names and telephone numbers.

“This is a good find, little brother,” and he examined the other items that the hanyou seemed to be treasuring. “Those are common items...” he dismissed them.

“Maybe to you, jackass... but to me... it all adds up to Kagome,” and he reached down to pick up the two broken frames with the scratched pictures, then removed the portraits. “I'm done here.”

“Surely you don't intend on taking those things...” Sesshoumaru reached out for the photos and was rewarded with a snarl. “Inuyasha, those will be missed, you can't take them.” He could hear cars pulling up out in front of the building. There was no time to argue the matter.

“They belong to me as much as they do anyone... My mate...” and he waved the picture of young Kagome, “my damn tree... I slept there for half a fuckin' century, it's mine if it's anyone's!”

Sesshoumaru could not argue against his logic, at least not with law enforcement about to climb the stairs and find them there.

“Fine then...” he acquiesced with a glare, “Drop the rest, we have to find an alternate way out... come,” Slipping the small date book into his breast pocket, he grabbed the stubborn hanyou by the collar to drag him to the back of the apartment, into a tiny kitchen area with a small window over the sink. He motioned toward it as they heard voices and footsteps entering the common hallway downstairs., Sesshoumaru wiggled at the latch on the window, then he cast a deadly, meaningful glare at the items that Inuyasha was still holding.

Inuyasha's reactively rolled his eyes, then glared back at the demon, not breaking eye contact as he raised his arm allowing the first aide kit to drop noisily to floor. Jumping at the sound, he cringed then slipped the damaged pictures into his jacket, as Sesshoumaru continued to fidget with the latch on the window. It had been painted shut, or so it appeared. Trying to loosen it with his claws was ineffective, and the voices were now coming up the stairs.

“Warding was unnecessary on this... it's impassible... hold your breath, halfbreed... now!” and his claws began to glow with a fluorescent green poison. Inuyasha gulped a breath as his eyes began to water from the noxious excretions. Running a claw along the edge of the latch, Sesshoumaru was able to pull it completely free, the poison melting through the paint like acid, marring the metal, and staining the wood. He quickly pushed the window up, and launched himself through it, dropping gracefully to the small yard below. Inuyasha followed, holding onto his hat during his descent, fringe flying around him. As he landed by his brother, both adjusted their head attire and they quickly walked to the gate.

As the forensic team entered the apartment, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were nonchalantly walking across the street to the waiting car. They could hear them coughing, and arguing about the source of the miasma. This amused Sesshoumaru, in a guilty way, as the driver opened the door for them.

“Is it my imagination, or has that shit gotten ranker with age?” Inuyasha queried with a smirk as he lowered himself into the limousine. Sesshoumaru merely raised an eyebrow, as he followed his brother into the car.

Both of the brothers were lost in their own thoughts for some time, during the drive back to the compound. Inuyasha had pulled the scratched and tattered portraits from his jacket, and as it grew darker, he reached and turned on the interior light to better see. His mind filled with memories of days spent following rumors of fragments, stopping to help people at Kagome's insistence, of fighting and learning the true power of Tetsusaiga, of growing to care for his small group of comrades so completely that they were no longer simply allies with a common enemy, but had become a family to him. Of finally coming to the realization that he loved Kagome more than he loved life itself.

Sesshoumaru pondered on the ward he had examined, and how familiar it felt. That was an art he had thought lost, though mimicked much among the 'spiritual' movements of the day. And yet here in this mediocre little apartment in the center of the city, not only did he find a piece of real ancient power, but with a familiar feel in how it had been cast. Ancient memories began to resurface, of a rare friendship with a human, borne of little Rin's needs that he could not meet. He had known nothing of human ailments, childhood or otherwise. And his disdain for things human had been pushed aside just enough to seek the help of someone who could treat the child. That had been a crack in the door, in which she had shoved her foot... effectively turning his world upside down. Even though human, the old miko had had a universal wisdom about her. He would never forget her.

“Miroku,” Inuyasha broke the silence of their individual reverie.

“Nani?” replied Sesshoumaru absently.

“It was Miroku that used to say that... it was like a mantra to him, I swear,” and he shook his head.

“Say what?”

“This does not bode well,” Inuyasha chuckled. “Miroku, the Hioushi that traveled with us. You said an old friend used to say that, before we went in that place. But you didn't know Miroku...”

“The one with the cursed hand,” acknowledged Sesshoumaru. “No... that was not to whom I was referring.”

“I never thought you had friends,” Inuyasha cast a glance at his aloof brother. “I never thought you needed or cared about anybody at all... ever.”

Sesshoumaru's expression remained unchanged as he took in what his brother had said. It was truth. The hanyou's past observations had been very accurate.

“For centuries,” his eyes caught and held the focus of those of his brother, “for centuries I saw it as a weakness. One this Sesshoumaru could not afford. There was always someone to challenge the legitimacy of my position...” his words trailed off, as he tried to will his brother's understanding with the intensity of his gaze.

For a moment, brief as it was, Inuyasha felt a sense of empathy with the demon. He too had disdained any relationships, knowing they would only be yanked from him... like his mother had been... and after losing Kagome, he had returned to that life not wishing for any more pain. He had pushed the kitsune away, the only member of his adopted family to remain alive. But he was old enough to be on his own... I did him a favor... he didn't need me anymore... no one did. Inuyasha broke eye contact.

“Much too late, this Sesshoumaru discovered that it is in the contacts that we share, that we leave our legacy,” Sesshoumaru concluded. It was short of an apology for being so cruel when he was young, but it was as close as he would allow himself.

“What the fuck does that mean??” Inuyasha demanded. Why can't the asshole talk like a normal person??

The demon passively eyed the hanyou for several moments, as he considered how to make himself more clear. He looked out the window at the lights of the early evening.

“I was wrong,” he said simply, his expression unchanged. Then he took in a deep breath, and looked at his brother, “It means... that I was wrong.”

Inuyasha looked down at the picture of young Kagome in his hands, an odd look of amusement in his eyes. Did you hear that, Koi? Hell has officially frozen over... the bastard actually admitted he was wrong...

“Hn,” the demon grunted in response to his brother's amused expression. At least it was better than more tears, and for once they weren't fighting. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the little date book. Surely there was some clue there, as to where those two were going with that rental.

He began to read.



A/N: Thank you so much for the kind reviews, I am so encouraged by them!! This being my first attempt at anything like this, it means a lot. I am trying to keep it as original as I can, however so many stories are out there, I am sure it's all been said (one way or another) before. If the telling of my tale brings even a fraction of the enjoyment I have had in writing it, then it's worth everything to me.

: As to your Q about Kag's mom: You get the brownie point! Ahhh but wait... there's moooore to come!!