InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Kagome ❯ Chapter Thirty ( Chapter 30 )

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

Sesshoumaru enlists Kagura's aid in finding InuYasha, and Michael forgot a minor detail when he set Hojo up with Kagome. Kagome encounters a stranger in the back yard when she seeks out some alone time. (Guess who?)

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Drama / Action / Supernatural / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 05.23.2006 | Pages: 12 | Words: 10.4K | Visits: 1.4K | Status: Work In Progress

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

Finding Kagome

Chapter Thirty

His ears still rung from the sound of the shattering glass.

He knew he would have Hell to pay but the bastard had left him with no other choice. It was either go through the window NOW, or get both of his legs broken from the repeated sweeping kicks that kept sitting him back down in the booth. Their scent would not last long in this odorous city, he had needed to move quickly. Fuckin' Sesshoumaru. . .

The challenge had been to stay in the shadows, the city streets were too damn well lit at night, but he had succeeded, even catching small morsels of the conversation going on between the four of them as they walked to their cars which were parked several blocks away from the restaurant.

The joker who had been touching his Kagome was a friend of that Michael, and she had only just met him. This was a relief for the hanyou, but also it was worrisome that someone who barely knew her felt so free to handle her. She's mine, DAMNIT. She just don't know it yet. . .

He had decided that the jackass was probably right, but the thought of not being able to talk to her. . . to hold her. . . was more than his heart could bear.

Now that he had found her, all he could think of was how badly he needed her. She hadn't even looked at him at the restaurant, she no idea of the power she held over him. And that power wasn't just through the rosary.

He thought about that for a while, as he jumped rooftops following the two cars far below. He considered the possibility of not telling her about the rosary. What would life be like without being sat at her whim? But then again, that command had stopped him more than once from doing something terrible.

Maybe he would just not tell her right away.

First I just need to talk to her. . .

Resting a moment in a tree, his breath was slightly labored as he watched the vehicles turn into the driveway of a single level home. It had been a long run to the south side of the city, and he lamented that his stamina hadn't fully returned after his illness.

This had to be the law enforcement bitch's place, because it was her car that went into the garage, while the other parked behind it.

His brother's words brushed across his mind, as he watched Kagome exit from the new man's car. 'Don't move too fast, halfbreed, or you will frighten her.'

He leaped across the street and bound over rooftops to rest on the one directly across the street from the house. Hunkering down low, partially hidden by a chimney, he watched. . . and waited.

~ooO0Ooo~

Sesshoumaru stood by the register and signed the check, ripping it adeptly from the book to hand it to the red faced, ranting manager of the restaurant.

“He need to go to Anger Management, that boy!! Or maybe A.A., this no good!! He can't go 'round breakin' windows!!” the man clipped. “He need a head doctor, or somethin'. . .” he glanced at the blank check not registering what he held in his hand. Glaring back at Sesshoumaru, he did a double take at the check, his tongue still wagging, “You need to keep him on a leash, that boy!! That for sure!”

The tirade abruptly stopped.

“I trust that will sufficiently cover the damages and inconvenience,” the Demon blandly nodded toward the check, though he was far from feeling calm, or even bored. In fact a number of choice expletives were swimming through his mind in association with his baka sibling.

Amazingly the man's tongue had ceased it's wagging and he had begun to examine the Demon with a degree of astonished respect.

“Yes, Mr. Inudono, thank you. . .”and he offered a small bow. “I hope you find him soon.”

“Me too,” he muttered as he nodded at the man and left.

On arrival at the limo he was relieved to find that Tetsusaiga was still sitting on the back seat. After directing the driver, he picked up the car phone dialing the number from memory.

“Windham,” came the distracted answer.

“We need to talk.”

“I think we've done enough of that for one night, thank you.” She sniffed, rather noisily.

“He's gone,” he stated simply.

“Oh. . . so you drove him off, too?” she didn't sound surprised.

“I need your help. . . I need to find him.”

“You need my help? Mr. “I-can-do-it-all-myself-bitch, stand-back-and-watch??

“I never used those words,” he cringed.

“You didn't have to. . . I'm not your bitch,” she sniffed again.

“No, you are your own. . . person. . . no one pulls your strings,” he indulged in a sigh. “Would it help if I were to say that I am. . . sorry?” He was rewarded with a moment of silence.

“This must be serious. . .”

“He's trailing the miko, and I am afraid he's going to do something. . . stupid.”

“What miko? You aren't making any sense.”

“The girl. . . that project you told us about. . . her name is Kagome Higurashi.”

“You lie. . . What's your game, Sesshoumaru??”

“No game. . . and you of all people know damn well I do not lie.”

He waited, knowing that she would need a moment to process what he had said.

“OK. . . I'll give you that,” she broke the silence. “But you sure as Hell haven't been very forthcoming.”

“I need you,” he whispered.

“Call a detective. . . or go sniff him out yourself. You don't need me, tonight made that abundantly clear.

“Once again in your infinite wisdom, you presuppose my intentions, my Lady. . .”

“Right. . . So. . . my Lord. . . just what the Hell are your intentions?”

“Kagura. . .” his whispered tone held a hint of longing. “I must see this thing through. And I know that you too, wish for him to be. . . content.

“Of course I do, If it weren't for him. . . and the others. . I. . .” She took a breath.

“This was not my story to tell, however. . . Events of the evening have brought me to the conclusion that it is in his best interest that I involve you. He's being headstrong. He wont listen to my reasoning. Perhaps he will listen to yours.”

“He doesn't trust me, what makes you think he will listen?”

“He made certain your message was delivered to Mr. Andrews.”

“You've seen Mike??”

“With the miko. . . it appears that they are. . . very close.”

There was again a moment of silence as this took hold in her mind.

“Oh Gods! He isn't going to try to hurt him is he??”

“I don't think so, but at this point I find it impossible to be certain of anything,” he knew that Michael was not the target of InuYasha's anger, however this would assure Kagura's assistance. “How quickly can you be ready?”

“Give me five minutes, where should I meet you?”

“Look out your window.”

It took her three minutes, rather than five.

His eyes twinkled in the half light of the street lamps, as he watched her trot down to the car clasping her cell phone, hair down for a change, clad in a simple tee shirt and Capri britches. He noted the hint of swelling around her eyes, and felt a twinge of guilt.

“You're a pompous ass. You know that, right?” she greeted him as she climbed into the vehicle, to sit next to him.

“So I have heard,” the edges of his lips curled slightly,

“You're always so sure you can bend me to your will.” She fiddled with her phone, avoiding his eyes.

“No,” his tone was firm. “I know that I can count on you to do the right thing. That is not bending, my Lady. . . That is trust.” And he gently grasped her chin to peer down his nose into her eyes. “My dear, you have forgotten your contacts. . .” and he brushed his lips lightly across her eyes.

“Damn. . . I hate it when you do that. . .” she whispered. She then shook herself and pulled away from him to become all business. “Let's start at Mike's apartment, and go from there. . . any calls will come here,” and she held up her cell phone.

“Do you think he would call at this hour?” He glanced at the clock.

“I'm hoping that he does. . . Getting my message via the two of you may jolt him enough to. I am thinking where ever he is, InuYasha won't be far.”

“Agreed.”

~ooO0Ooo~

Selene's keys jangled as she worked to open the two deadbolt locks on her front door.

“The nice thing about pulling special duty tonight is, I don't have to work tomorrow!” she announced brightly. “So more time for the beach!” She pushed her way into the door, leading the rest inside.

“Beach?” chirped Hojo. “As in. . . I bring my surfboard and you bring the beer kinda beach?”

“Won't you get your pocket protector wet, going surfing?” Kagome turned around in the hallway and eyed him with a smirk, as Michael shut the door behind them.

He was a surprising guy to say the least, definitely not what she had expected with Michael's brief description back in the hospital.

“It stays in the glove box along with my calculator and slide rule,” joked the Engineering student. “Can't get those wet, being my livelihood and all!” he flashed that warm smile again and winked at her. “The laptop can come though, as long as it stays on the beach blanket.”

“Who wants a beer!” called Selene from back in the kitchen, as Michael led the others to the living room. She joined them from another doorway holding a full six pack in her hand.

“I have to take care of something first,” Michael muttered, exiting quickly through the same door she had entered. She turned to watch him, concern washing her features for a brief moment, then pulled out a beer and handed it to Hojo, who had seated himself on the couch. Kagome waved off her offer, and she shrugged, setting the carton on the coffee table she took one for herself and plopped into an easy chair.

Kagome dropped to the floor, sitting cross legged, listening to the flurry of activity going on in the kitchen. She cocked her head to watch the doorway, not noticing the odd look she was getting from Hojo.

Michael reappeared through the doorway, with a hammer and small container of tack nails. He stopped, putting both items in one hand he reached into a pocket to pull out a stack of Sutra.

“Inudono is one of 'em,” he informed Selene with a pointed look. He then nodded to Kagome, raising the Sutra and went out the front door.

Selene's eyes followed him, and she sat staring at the wall for several seconds.

“So. . . That explains it,” Selene watched Kagome for a minute. “Something about that guy set me on edge from the start.”

“One of who? Or what?” Hojo's eyes danced between the two women.

“You can feel them too, then.” Kagome met Selene's eyes. “Are you remembering more?” she asked hopefully. Selene looked down and shook her head slightly.

A series of taps reverberated through the house, and Hojo looked out the window with his brow furrowed. Leaning he could just see Michael, working on something near the front porch.

“What the heck is he doing? Repairs at two thirty in the morning?” his tone incredulous.

“He's trying to protect me. Those are wards,” Kagome stated flatly.

Hojo turned back around raising his brow at her. He settled into the couch, and took a drink from his beer. So far they had made little or no sense to him, and she could tell it was beginning to get on his nerves. He stared at his beer bottle for a moment.

“Ok. . . so Mike is setting wards around your house, and you think that Inudono is a threat of some kind. He just said that he is one of 'them'. Them being. . . what? Some religious cult?” he ventured.

“Not a cult, Hojo. . .” Kagome tested the water, “You have been to the shrine, so you know something about the legends, right?”

“Sure. . . some of it,” he replied leaning forward, “why?”

“Well, all legends. . . they have a basis in fact, right??” she noted that eyebrow coming up again. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

“I suppose so. . . OK, I'll bite, what has this got to do with Seth Inudono?” he glanced back as a new series of tapping started just outside the open window.

“The sacred jewel. . . it was real,” Kagome hesitated before taking the plunge. “And the youkai that she had to fight. . .” she swallowed noticeably, looking at the floor, “she had to kill, to get the pieces of it. . . they were real too.”

Hojo's eyes didn't leave her for a long moment. His face was blank but slowly morphed into one of bright disbelief, a twinkle in his eye.

“You're kidding, right?” he grinned, certain a joke was being played on him. His eyes moved to Selene, who was not wearing a smile. She looked up at him, her expression all concern as she tipped her shoulders up in a light shrug.

“There, all done,” Michael brushed his hands, “Nothing is getting past those, you can rest easier tonight, Kagome.” He walked over to the coffee table to grab a beer. As he was opening it he realized no one was talking.

“So what you are trying to tell me is. . . There are youkai in San Francisco?? And Seth Inudono is one of them???” Hojo's expression had become dubious at best, before he started laughing.

“Oh. . .” Michael took in the scene. He hadn't gotten that far in his little plot to bring the two of them together, and Hojo didn't appear to be buying the new information. He sat on the arm of Selene's chair and took a sip of his beer. He needed to think fast.

“Wait!!” Kagome froze with one hand in the air, the other clutching at her chest. “The vandalism at the shrine. . .” she looked up sweeping the room. “They were looking for the Shikon!”

“But, it's not in Tokyo, Kagome. . .” Michael's brow furrowed. “You're apartment. . . oh god. . . is that what they were after??”

Selene sat up straight, nearly knocking Michael off the arm of her chair.

“He never used it. . . the grave!! They must have thought he buried it with her. . . oh Kami!” Kagome gasped, both elated and frightened with the revelation.

“You two aren't making much sense.” Hojo's laughter had died down as he listened to their exchange. “What happened with your apartment, Kagome?”

“Someone wrecked it. . . broke in and tore everything up,” she shook her head. “Part of the list I was telling you about earlier. . .”

“But. . . I don't think Inudono did that damage, Kagome. . .” Selene finally spoke up. “I think he was there that day, the day I saw him. . . but the tests on the food decomposition suggest the damage was done days before. I don't know why he was there, but I don't think he tore your place up.”

“Hey, guys!! Hello!!” Hojo waved his arms to get their attention. “Inudono is a mega philanthropist! It's well known that he contributes to multiple charities, and even has a couple of scholarship programs at the university. . .” Hojo narrowed his eyes at Michael wondering how he could have forgotten that. “He's not a bad person. Kind of a shut in maybe, but who wouldn't be with all that money. He's probably got people bugging him all the time for something.”

Kagome took this in. Hojo seemed to have a lot of respect for him. And Hojo was obviously an intelligent person. But, Hojo didn't believe there could be youkai in San Francisco.

“Why don't you show him,” suggested Michael. Selene gasped, and he put his hand on her shoulder. He whispered in her ear, “If he's going to be around, he needs to know.”

“He thinks youkai are a joke, Mikey. . .” Kagome countered, clasping at the jewel through her blouse. “I can't do this. . .” She needed to think. She needed fresh air.

“Show me what?” Hojo glanced around, noting the varying degrees of discomfort in the three of them.

“Now you know why I haven't called Windham,” Michael muttered.

“Oh!! I forgot! Windham left a message for you on my voice mail of all places.” Hojo jumped up and pulled his cell out of his back pocket. He brought up the messages, and handed it to Michael.

“Damn. . . that woman never stops!” he grumbled as he brought the phone reluctantly to his ear.

“You never check your own messages, baka. . . she damn near filled mine up too. . .” Selene shot him a glare.

“I guess it's a good thing she doesn't know me. . .” Kagome pulled herself up. “I'll be back in a few minutes, I need. . . some alone time.” She produced the business card and handed it to Michael. “Better call her. . . right now. At least let her know you are OK.”

“But, it's after three in the morning. . .” Michael sighed at Kagome's back as she left the room.

After hearing the concern in his advisor's voice, his guilt had increased exponentially. Her personal number was on the card, and the word urgent had been used in both instances. “Fine, I'll call her.” He pressed in the number, then looked around as Hojo and Selene watched him. “Happy now??” he snapped, rising to take the call to another room.

Kagome stepped onto the back porch of the ranch style home, noting the lack of stars in the sky, and the absence of any breeze. It was like the world was on hold, waiting for the dawn

Seating herself midway down the steps, she clasped the jewel through her blouse, visions of her wrecked apartment dancing in her head, followed by Hojo's incredulous laughter at the suggestion that youkai could possibly be real.

The stinging behind her eyes wasn't merely from being tired. She took in a deep breath of the early morning air, and hiccuped as she tried to fight the crying jag that was tugging at her.

Soon she would see for herself how bad the damage was at the shrine. She had managed to get a flight reservation for early June, though it had been tricky. Michael had walked in just as she was ending the call and she had made the excuse of needing to check her credit card balance.

The little lies were going to kill her.

Her heart broke at the thought of Kagome's grave being desecrated. Her guilt at the deception of making the reservation, the fear of coming face to face with such a powerful demon in the middle of the city, her mixed feelings about meeting Hojo, all came into one huge swelling in her chest.

There was a rustling in the leaves of the ancient walnut tree in the middle of Selene's yard, as Kagome finally allowed herself to cry. She pulled her hair loose, covering her face, knowing that at any moment one of them was going to come through that door.

She never had any privacy anymore. Everything in her life had changed in a weeks time. And it seemed as though every day that passed brought some new revelation, some new terror.

The door opened, just as she knew it would.

“Hey. . .” it was Michael. He sat next to her, wrapping his arms around her.

“Hey, yourself,” she sniffed. Somewhere a dog growled, low and threateningly.

Michael looked up, still holding her as he glanced over at the north fence. “Johnson's get a new dog?”

“Dunno, maybe. . .” she sniffed again. “Go entertain your friend, Mikey. . . I just. . .”

“Want to cry your eyes out, unhindered?” he parted the tresses covering her face. “I just wanted to tell you I made that call. She was awake, believe it or not. I have to go see her on Monday.”

“Good,” she shook her head to hide behind her hair again. “She'll talk some sense into you. . . you can't quit.” She hiccuped, then buried her face in her hands. “It's all my fault. . .” she sobbed .

“Nooo, honey,” he wrapped both arms around her shaking frame, and kissed her hair. “I'm going to try to talk some sense into Hojo.”

“He thinks we're all crazy, you know,” she sniffled loudly. “I'll be in in a little while. . . OK?”

“Ok. . . I'm just a shout away, alright?” he kissed her hair one more time, noting the dog was sounding closer, and angrier. “Hm, must be a cat. . .” and he rose, leaving her to her alone time as he closed the door softly.

Kagome hugged her knees, resting her cheek on them with her hair still covering her face. Too much too fast, she prayed that Michael's adviser could convince him keep going. He would make a wonderful doctor.

“Why are you crying?” Kagome picked her head up, looking for the source of the inquiry. It was too dark, she could see only outlines of the trees in the yard. She backed up against the side of the house, preferring the solid feel of it on her back as her eyes continued to dart back and forth in the darkness.

“Wh. . . who's there?” she asked shakily, sniffing and wiping at her eyes. “I. . . I can't see you.”

“Why are you crying. . . who made you cry, koi?” the disembodied voice was so gentle, it was almost familiar, yet she couldn't quite place it.

“No one made me cry, I just. . . needed to cry. . .” her furtive glances around the darkened yard finally found purchase on a figure half hidden by the walnut tree. “Why are you hiding in the yard?”

“Because I am not supposed to be here. . .” the figure moved hesitantly out from behind the tree. “But. . . I wanted to. . . see you. . .”

Kagome pushed herself more firmly against the wall, as the figure slowly approached.

“You. . . stay right there!” she ordered, pointing at him. “Who are you?”

The figure stopped, and raised his hands.

“They call me. . . Caleb,” his eyes reflected the light from the windows, nearly glowing in the darkness. He reached a hand out to her. “C'mere a sec.”

Caleb. She knew that name. But, she didn't know him. . . or did she? She hesitated, as she watched him wait in the yard patiently. Something about that voice.

She thought about calling out to Michael.

Wait. . . Inudono!! The brother. . . But why is he here?

“I just. . . want to talk to you,” came her answer, as though he could read her mind. He moved only one step closer, his hand still outstretched. “I could never hurt you, Kagome. . . please?”

The way he said her name was different, and yet familiar. Kagome closed her eyes for a moment, to stretch out her senses. Odd. . . I don't get that 'feeling' about him. But his brother is very strong. . .

Her mind spun through all the good things Hojo had said about Inudono. And now she was confronted with Caleb beckoning her out into the darkness. She took a tentative step down the stairs, clutching at the jewel, well hidden in her blouse.

“I need. . . you,” his voice was low, compelling. She felt an unexplainable pull toward it, like a moth toward a flame.

“Why?” she asked plainly, as she edged her way closer. “You aren't. . . like your brother.”

“No, we had different mothers,” he explained, drawing toward her to close the distance, his hand still out.

“So. . . you are. . . half?” she asked hesitantly.

“Yeah,” he took her hand and pulled her gently away from the house and behind the tree, to just stand there looking at her. On seeing the color of his eyes, Kagome gasped and reached to push his hat back.

“Your eyes. . . are amazing,” she blushed at her own forwardness, then asked, “Why are we hiding, Caleb?”

“Your friends, I don't think they'd like it that I'm here, and I know my jackass brother would be pissed. That one in the brown sweatshirt, that guy. . . he upset you didn't he,” he nodded toward the house.

“You call your brother a jackass?” she couldn't imagine anyone calling Seth Inudono a jackass, after all she had heard about him.

“Well, he is a jackass,” he reached to take a strand of her hair, and pull it to his nose. Just as expected her scent was different, and yet. . . she was the same. He gazed into her eyes.

“Why are you smelling my hair?”

“Because. . . it's your hair,” he smiled. “It smells good.”

Kagome blushed deeply and looked down avoiding his gaze. . . those incredible eyes. Just like. . . her hand shot to her mouth, with a quick intake of breath.

“Oi, wench. What is it?” he crooked a finger to her chin bringing her attention back to his eyes.

“What a funny thing to call me,” she mused. Of course, if he's hanyou, then he would have eyes like. . .

“You haven't answered my question,” he prodded gently.

His head jerked suddenly as off in the distance someone whistled shrilly. This had agitated him, and Kagome watched his expression go from one of warmth, to hostility in a fraction of a second.

“What is it, Caleb?” she touched his arm, reassuringly. “Just someone calling in their dog.”

“I have to go, damnit!” his voice was dark. Then he grabbed her shoulders with an intensity in his gaze that took her breath. “Can I see you? Without the shadows I mean. . .” he glanced toward the house.

“I think I would like that,” she smiled up at him, and it melted the intensity in his gaze to the one of warmth again. “I would like that very much, Caleb.”

The shrill whistle repeated, a little closer this time.

“I'm coming, asshole. . .” he muttered to the side, as he leaned down to rub noses with her, then gently brush his lips against hers.

The gesture was more intimate than even Michael would dare, and her cheeks bloomed as her heart began to dance. He then moved away from her into the darkness so swiftly it was if he had never been there at all. Just like a dream. . .

~ooO0Ooo~

Just as Sesshoumaru was about to pierce the night with another summons through the open window, the hanyou dropped in front of him, glowering.

“You can knock that shit off now, asshole. . . I'm fuckin' here.” He climbed into the vehicle, a look of shock gracing his features as he found Kagura seated next to his brother. “We havin' a party?”

“I enlisted Kagura's assistance in finding you. . . You owe me for the mess you left behind at the restaurant,” even with the reprimanding tone, there was a hint of relief in Sesshoumaru's voice.

“So. . . She knows, huh?” he picked up Tetsusaiga and laid it across his lap.

“Tell me, PLEASE that you didn't hurt Mike. . .” her eyes flashed red.

“I couldn't hurt the monk. . .” InuYasha returned her stare with a glower. “Anyway he didn't do nothin' wrong. It was that other jerk that had his hands all over her.”

“Monk?” her brow furrowed.

“Yeah, your guy, Michael. . . he's Miroku,” his expression became wistful. “I told her to go on with the others, I guess that's what she did.”

“Does he know this??” she demanded. “Does Kagome know who you think she is??”

“Not think. . . it's her alright,” he sat back in his seat. “And she remembers me, she kept staring into my eyes like she was trying to remember, anyway. As for him, I don't know. I didn't talk to him.”

“InuYasha,” his name pulled his attention to his brother. “You spoke with her?”

“She was crying. . . you know how I hate it when she cries,” his defense was shaky at best, but it would have to do. “Yeah, I talked to her. . . and she said she would see me again,” he smiled. “Only next time, no sneakin' around. . . And before you ask it, she calls me Caleb, satisfied??”

“I wonder what all this has to do with Michael wanting to leave the doctoral program. . .” Kagura fingered her chin.

~ooO0Ooo~

Kagome fairly floated back into the house, where she washed her face at the kitchen sink, then tied her hair back. She wasn't certain what it was about Caleb that struck her, but something had.

Maybe it was that he had followed her, just to talk to her and smell her hair.

Normally that would seem pretty strange, even upsetting, but there was a sweetness about how he had approached her that pulled at her heart.

As she dried her face, she could hear the others in the living room.

“No seriously, I own a surfboard and I know how to use it!” Hojo insisted.

“This I have GOT to see, what's the forecast for tomorrow?” Michael laughed.

So Hojo is going with us tomorrow. . .

“This overcast is supposed to blow over by noon,” the tone in Selene's voice suggested she was ready for the day to end. “Randy is expecting us around five, but I can call her. . . after I get some shut eye.”

“I think that's our cue, buddy. . .” Michael rose just as Kagome entered the room.

“You OK, honey?” asked Selene with a worried tone.

“I'm fine. . .” Kagome brushed at her lips with the tips of her fingers, a hint of a smile on her face. “Just tired. . . I think I will go to bed, if you don't mind.”

“We were just going,” Michael pulled Selene up from her seat into a warm embrace, and a kiss that would have made Hollywood proud.

Kagome averted her eyes and waited for the resounding slap that was certain to follow.

“Kagome,” Hojo rose and moved toward her, “I want to apologize if I offended you.”

“It's OK, Hojo. . . you don't have to,” her smile faded. “I know it all sounds pretty. . . outlandish, to say the least.”

Drawing close to her, he put one hand gently on the back of her neck as the other pulled at the leather cord that was holding the Jewel. She raised her hand to stop him.

“Let me see it,” he asked.

“To what end?” she asked curtly. “It's not like it involves you.”

“It. . . could. . .” his eyes held a question that she didn't understand.

She didn't want to understand.

~ooO0Ooo~

A/N: OK, another chapter down! Just want to thank the reviewers again, I appreciate your comments. I am amazed, to say the least that this fic broke 10,000 hits the other day. Thank you for following me along on this venture!!

golden_kitsune :: Thank you so much!! Bananas huh? I will keep that in mind. BTW he's just like that, I

bet he likes ya more than ya think!!

BrokenDreams :: I am so happy to have you back!! You are a very talented writer, and I appreciate your

Kind words. (My sister looks at me funny all the time...) Since this is my first fic, you wont

find anymore by me, yet... that's a big one... YET... lol

White Luna :: Their eyes never met in the restaurant. He was too far away, and yes she was under too

much stress. . . what with her anger, and then astonishment, then outright terror. Other

than Shippou that was her first encounter with a demon, other than the residuals in her

apartment. As for 'Hobo' ... well... he's pretty impressed with her... so it stands to reason

he will try to win her affections, of course having no clue his defense of Inudono has

opened the door to her acceptance of Caleb. Thank you so much for the review!!

Animaygurl :: Glad to have you along!! (here's that update! ;))

inuhakmoon2673 :: Thank you so much! I am tickled that you are enjoying it!! I know I like a good involved

story, so that's what I am trying to create. It can be a challenge keeping up with it...

But that's where the fun is!! thank you for the kind review!

Until Next Time!!

metsuki