InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Finding Kagome ❯ Chapter Forty Two ( Chapter 42 )

DISCLAIMER:: I do not own InuYasha, I do own a warped mind . . . and an overactive imagination.

 

Finding Kagome

 

 

 

Chapter 42

 

 

Sesshoumaru pulled the handset of the phone away from his ear and gave it a withering glare Casting a sideways glance toward the far end of the study where Kagura bounced a ball for the yapping puppy, he silently hoped it was enough to keep her distracted. Swiveling his high backed desk chair to face the wall away from her, he slowly returned the instrument to his ear.

 

“So, I was correct in my hypothesis,” he murmured, lower than would draw her attention to his conversation. “To be frank . . . it was my hope that this was not the case.”

 

“You and me both,” his brother responded sullenly. “Look, it's . . . she's just not safe here. I'm sure that mangy bastard knows where to find her. That woman he's with . . . she's Sally's cousin. They know she's staying here. I need . . . I need to bring her with me,” apprehension feathered InuYasha's tone, as if it were a request he feared would not be granted.

 

Sesshoumaru reflected briefly on how angry he had been when first taking the call. Too much time without word had heightened his agitation to a point of near irrationality. His concern for his brother's welfare had translated to near hostile accusations that responsibilities were being avoided. He had initially insisted vehemently that InuYasha return home forthwith. But with the announcement of this new piece of information, he now realized and fully understood why InuYasha had remained with the miko. His only regret was that his brother had not kept him up to date in the interim.

 

“This is as much your home as it is mine.” Speaking low, he chanced another glance toward his mate and took a deep breath. Her response to this news most assuredly would not be positive, and her reaction to the Jewel's proximity might prove to be a problem. However, she had expressed concerns about Ms. Higurashi's safety earlier, certainly she would understand the need for the girl to be in a more secure environment. On the other hand, InuYasha was as yet unaware that Kagura had taken up permanent residence. Sesshoumaru considered how that news alone could negatively affect his brother's decision to bring the miko home. Not wishing to chance changing his mind, he opted to wait until InuYasha's return to reveal that information. “There is much for us to discuss, little brother.”

“Yeah, no shit.” There was a resignation to his brothers voice that he was unaccustomed to hearing, in addition to an odd familiarity to the slight reverberation behind it . It sounded as though he were in an empty room devoid of life or ornamentation. Had he hidden away somewhere to make this call?

“I suggest you come. . . now.” The Demon's tone made it clear that it was not a suggestion, so much as a command. “It would seem that time is of the essence.”

Sesshoumaru listened closely during the momentary silence that followed. Now was not the time for InuYasha to get his back up. Something wasn't right. Something beyond confirmation of his suspicions regarding the Shikon no Tama.

“She's asleep right now,” there was an unfamiliar guardedness in InuYasha's tone. “I don't want her to get sick, it's been a rough day. A rough couple of days.” The Demon strongly suspected that something had happened that the hanyou was hesitant to report. Perhaps even more than one 'something'.

“Then a car will be sent. You can retrieve the Ducati later.” Sesshoumaru announced decisively.

“No . . . Don't.” InuYasha answered too quickly. He seemed adamant about not returning immediately, and this made no sense. The Demon could not understand why there would be any delay. If there was to be a confrontation of some kind, better that it be on their own grounds than in the midst of a mortal neighborhood. Unless there was something InuYasha was hiding. The Demon's golden eyes narrowed.

“What has happened?” Sesshoumaru demanded. “What's wrong with you?”

“Did they deliver the puppy?” InuYasha inquired entirely too brightly. “He's a surprise for Kagome. She fell in love with him, and I thought he'd be a . . .”

“You didn't answer my question,” Sesshoumaru interrupted abruptly, then quietly sighed and rolled his eyes. They landed on Kagura and the fuzz ball she was now holding as she watched him. “Yes the dog is here. You owe me, halfbreed. The little beast befouled my favorite carpet.”

“The merchant said that his papers should arrive in a couple of weeks. I didn't know dogs had to have documentation too.” Sesshoumaru blinked at his brothers sudden penchant for chatter. “I think I got everything he's gonna need. I had him sent there `cuz security is better . . .” then he added in a whisper, “I want Kagome safe.” Jumping suddenly back to his former brightness, he went on, “He's gonna get big, they said. He'll be strong too, comes from a good line. There should be a box of some food they said was really good for pups.” His brother was being entirely too talkative and saying nothing. The nuance of his voice was completely devoid of its usual gruffness, almost gentle. Unnervingly so. That tone of offhanded lightness while talking about the little beast rang completely false. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes.

“So, what are you not telling me, halfbreed?” he nearly growled, shaking his head at Kagura's beckoning hand. He had failed in his attempt at discretion. He should have sent her out of the room on some invented errand. She now stood opposite him at his desk, animatedly gesturing that he tell her all, which was an additional annoyance. Cradling the phone against his opposite shoulder, he raised a finger to his mouth, urging her to be quiet. “I get the distinct impression that something is very wrong.”

“Keh . . . You want a fuckin' list?” A hint of the usual attitude surfaced. Perhaps a visual would give him some clue as to what was it was that InuYasha was leaving unsaid.

“Switch to video,” he commanded, and reaching to power up his monitor. Kagura moved around for a better view, mouthing `what happened?'. The Demon only shook his head, eyes flashing in agitation.

“No,” answering again too quickly, InuYasha then paused a moment. “The `lectric is off here. Too dark.”

Sesshoumaru heard this for exactly what it was, another evasion. Something had occurred and InuYasha did not want wish to go into detail, nor did he wish to be seen. He wasn't aware of any power outages, and the Demon, true to his nature, wrestled with a list of possibilities. One thing was for certain, his brother was uncharacteristically concerned about his ability to defend the miko at their current location. This was confusing, as he had always been confident in his abilities in the past, even to the point of arrogance. Also he didn't appear to trust in the privacy of his environment. Worst of all, his refusal to go into any more detail demonstrated a lack of trust in his only family.

Rising from his seat, Sesshoumaru went to the south window and was surprised to note that a far segment of the city did appear to be experiencing a blackout. So there was truth behind the evasion. However, this did little to appease his suspicions that something of significance had occurred, and he was intentionally being left in the dark about it. Resigning himself to the fact that he would have to wait until InuYasha returned to get the full report, he abandoned his tactic of interrogation over the phone, and began pressing harder for his brother's return.

“I will expect you shortly, halfbreed. It grows late. Your team will be arriving in the morning. Does not school return to session tomorrow? She will need to report to work, ne?” Perhaps a reminder of their obligations and responsibilities would motivate his brother into swifter action.

“Yeah, she does . . . that's got me worried.” InuYasha sighed. “I don't want her workin' right now . . . Not until I know Kouga can't get to her. Or anyone else for that matter. Once word is out, she's gonna be a fuckin' magnet . . .”

“The necessary calls will be made, then. Surely she has leave coming.” He would do this personally. The authority of his name surely would expedite a leave of absence being authorized for her. “It is time to come home, InuYasha. Time for both of you to come home.”

Sesshoumaru glanced over to see a twinkle in Kagura's eyes as she nodded her agreement. She had discerned some of the situation from his side of the conversation, and it appeared that she would welcome the miko as kin. He only hoped her alliance would not shift once she knew in certainty about the Shikon.

“Soon, ok? A couple of hours. In the meantime, do me a favor . . .” his brother added. “I need you to find someone for me . . . that is if he's still alive . . .” Sesshoumaru again cradled the handset and reached for a pen. Kagura twisted to better see what he would write, but on his raised brow she scowled then turned with an exasperated huff to take the puppy outside for a walk.

 

~oo0O0oo~

 

“Who's your favorite future Pulitzer Prize winner??”

“The Pulitzer doesn't have a 'Biggest Butt' category, Ricky. Or . . . don't tell me you're thinking of switching to print?”

“HAH!! I very well might for this one!! I found her!! At least I think it's her . . . pretty sure anyway. . .”

Ted switched ears with the phone and rolled his eyes. No sooner than power was back on and he was able to gain entry to his apartment, his phone had started ringing. First it was Bert, letting him know she had stashed the video from this afternoon in 'the usual place', then excitedly rattled on about how she would be late tomorrow because of some rally at the university. That had seemed a little weird, since Bert never mentioned an interest in sports before. Now Ricky was so excited her words were nearly running together. And all he really wanted to do at the moment was eat something. Grabbing a small carton out of the refrigerator, he set it on the counter. Screw good manners, he was going to eat.

“First of all, exactly who are we talking about?” he asked, slicing the protective seal with a distended claw. Sniffing cautiously at the contents, he wrinkled his nose. It wasn't bad yet, but close. Fresh was always better, but hard to come by. Humans had a penchant for freezing their food that he just didn't understand. It robbed half of the flavor, and did something unseemly to the consistency and texture. Piercing a thick sliver with his claw he craned his neck over the counter to avoid dripping on his shirt.

“That girl, Ted!! The one from this afternoon . . . the one that . . . “ she seemed to get lost for a moment. Jumping back she continued, “I ran a search, and . . . wait, are you EATING?”

“Wha? Yeah, um 'ungry,” he drawled around the bloody slice of meat, wiping his chin with his sleeve. Glaring at the sleeve he sighed. So much for preserving the shirt.

“You refused the burger I offered to buy you, and now you're starving? What's better than one of Rosy's bacon cheeseburgers??”

Ted scowled, then looked at the container. “Um . . . liver and . . . uh, onions.” He congratulated himself on remembering to add the 'and onions.'

“No way you had time to cook around that blackout,” she stated entirely too observantly.

“Sure . . .” he fibbed. “Even so, I'm so hungry I could eat it bloody raw,” he grinned at his own wit and tipped his head back to slide another dripping slice into his mouth. Nosy bitch.

“Eck! You just succeeded in killing my appetite . . . for a week! Anyway, try not to slurp it's gross. Listen to this . . . It's from the Chronicle, two weeks ago . . . Donna Bodine, Principal of Bayview Elementary is very proud of their after school program. Yada, yada, yada. . . . Here we go . . . Instructor Kagome Higurashi . . . get that?? Inudono called her 'Kagome', remember? . . . has been introducing the students to Japanese language and history through storytelling. Ms. Higurashi borrows from her own family history as Shrine keepers in Japan, and is introducing the students to myths and legends handed down etc, etc, etc. Many student art projects will be on display at the Cultural Fair. Ms. Bodine tells us that a dramatic production is planned as well, harnessing the energy and talents of the students, blah, blah . . . She's composing and choreographing the thing. Multi talented gal . . . ”

“Ok . . . and so . . .” he prompted as he took the now empty container to the faucet and rinsed it out. Nothing worse than the stink of old, coagulated pork blood, it was bad enough he had to resort to store bought meat. First licking the edge of his sleeve then sliding it under the cold water, he hoped he was quick enough to salvage the shirt.

“She comes from a line of shrine keepers, Ted . . . Religious people. In ancient times, they were the hub of the community. Not just religion but also healers. What they did was considered magic, you know, potions and spells . . . supernatural. What she did today . . . was miraculous. . .” Ricky's voice drifted off.

“So this chick is some kind of a witch doctor, and . . .” Ted looked out the window at the lights of the city. Only a small area was still experiencing the outage. And damn if Ricky wasn't on a roll again. He'd heard this kind of talk before, usually just before she busted into the office of some government official. He suddenly realized where this was going. “Oh damn, Ricky . . . You aren't going to storm that school are you??”

“Hey!! I have more finesse than that!!” She retorted. “But . . . since they've got me on 'Garden Club' duty, why not use it to my advantage, huh?”

“Explain to me exactly what you mean by that,” Ted frowned. The woman was going to cost him his job one of these days. “Garden club?”

“Look, they want me to do human interest stories, right? Well, I think Miss Higurashi's work with inner city kids is very interesting, and I want to do an interview with her . . . So, come on Teddy, you're game right?” Ted grimaced at her continued use of that nickname. When Bert said it it was kind of cute, but when RT did there was a note of sarcasm behind it. Though, he had to admit, it was a hell of a lot better than her usual 'Tard'.

Ted took a few seconds to ponder this latest obsession of hers. He had spent a considerable amount of time seriously thinking about what it might mean to pursue more on Caleb Inudono, or his girlfriend for that matter. It was obvious the guy didn't like publicity. The reasons were pretty apparent to Ted. Sure he was curious about him, but knowing how ambitious Ricky was, if she discovered the truth about the guy it could prove disastrous. Exactly the kind of thing that his father had warned him about all those years ago. No, it would be much better to just let the sleeping dog lie. But since Ricky was inherently incapable of doing that, his best hope, his only hope really, was to be there for damage control should she actually stumble onto the truth. Surely the girlfriend would be smart enough avoid the media. Especially if she was provided with enough warning.

“Hey . . . Did I lose you?” Ricky asked, drawing him back to the call.

“I'll go with you, Ricky. But only if you do it right. Make an appointment, no surprises. And if she says no . . . then you've got to promise me that you'll drop it.” He spoke more concisely than he knew she was accustomed to hearing from him. Rubbing at the crease formed between his brows, he turned from the window and waited for her answer.

“But . . .”

“No 'buts' RT, I mean it,” he interrupted leaning against the door frame to his living room. The woman could be exasperating. “Promise me you'll drop the whole thing. I gotta feeling this guy is trouble.” His grip tightened against the wood of the door frame and his claws sunk deeply into the drywall. “I really like my job, and being named in a harassment lawsuit . . . well, that's not the kind of mark I wanna leave at KGO.” Realizing what he had done to the wall, he swore under his breath. He was going to have to patch that one.

“Ok!! Damn, you don't have to swear at me!” she shot back, thinking the profanity was aimed at her. He didn't argue the point. “I'll play by your stupid rules. But that's not the way to get a story, Ted, and you know it. Especially this one.”

She was right of course. Making an appointment would probably destroy her chance of getting to the meat of what ever it was she was trying to reveal. He doubted she even knew what that was. She was running on some obscure, gut level hunch that there was something newsworthy to be found there. What ever that illusive something might be, he was sure that the couple didn't want any publicity.

 

In fact, he was counting on it.

 

 

 

~oo0O0oo~

 

 

Slipping silently from the bathroom, InuYasha paused in the hallway to tilt and shake his head. It never failed. Even in human form he hadn't been immune to water creeping into his ears. Stupid shower. He should have opted for a bath instead, but couldn't figure out how to plug the damn hole the water was draining out of. When he had experimentally pushed a button, suddenly the water had come spraying from the pipe up on the wall, albeit cold. There were more buttons on the panel that he figured had something to do with controlling the water flow and temperature, but damned if he could figure out the shorthand they were written in. No one had shown him, and he'd be damned if he was going to ask at this late point in time. But he'd managed to muddle through with a cold shower . . . and fucking water in his ears again.

On reaching the living room he found Michael and Selene sitting together on the couch, and he winced at the condition the man was in. But as rough as he looked, he was wearing a smile while Selene systematically kissed each of his exposed bruises. She pressed her lips against one, and he'd point to another. The whole scene was just about more than InuYasha could bear without laughing outright. He figured that there were enough marks on the guy, they'd be at it for some time without some kind of interruption, so he cleared his throat to announce his presence, then looked away politely suppressing a smirk.

Granted, he had to admit that there was something to be said about having one's battle wounds tended by a warm female. In fact, if it weren't for his pressing need to talk to Michael, he would have left them to it and joined his own to cuddle her sleeping form for what little time he dared to spare before they had to leave. It was a tempting thought. Reflecting on the feelings as she nipped at his ears and the lingering feel of her lips against his, he again glanced over at the couple on the couch.

'Baka!!” he silently chastised himself, shoving his arms into his sleeves and glaring at the floor. Now was not the time to be getting all worked up. He had a lifetime ahead with Kagome, a real future this time. He would make it happen. Somehow. Human or Hanyou, he would find a way to make it happen. Damn the Jewel. Damn Kouga to the seven Hells.

“You boys need to talk . . .” Selene's voice interrupted his thoughts, and he looked up to see her pouring some amber liquid into a small glass. “Not too much, now. I have plans for you later,” she murmured to Michael, with a telling grin. “I want you coherent.” She kissed the corner of his mouth, and InuYasha watched her leave, with a little more sachet in her sway than he had remembered ever being there before. Maybe some things did change, after all. Raising a brow, he turned to Michael and took a moment to assessed the man's damage.

“You look like shit,” delivering his evaluation, he moved toward the chair.

“Hmph,” Michael grunted, then tossed back the drink. Wincing and exhaling rather loudly he looked up, “Is it my imagination? Or . . . are you shorter now?”

“Keh!” InuYasha responded, then dropped into Selene's chair, bringing his feet up to sit cross legged. He wasn't certain whether the man was being sincere or antagonistic with the question, so he decided to just ignore it for the time being. He sure as hell didn't want another verbal sparring match with him. Not tonight..

“Care to join me?” Michael grinned as he leaned forward to pour another shot. “It takes the edge off . . .”

InuYasha shook his head. The stuff was obviously intoxicating, and the last thing he needed was slower reflexes than he already had to deal with in this form. But it was probably good for the monk, it would ease some of the pain he had to be feeling. Shoving his hands in his sleeves, InuYasha looked away and swallowed back the guilt that was edging up on him. He'd done what had to be done. But he'd injured his friend. The closest friend he'd ever had, aside from Kagome. The brother he had always wished for. The stubborn ass. InuYasha glared at the floor.

“Miroku . . .” Michael began, immediately gaining his attention. “He was a holy man, I understand.”

“Hai. Daiichi,” on seeing Michael's curious expression he explained. “Before anything, Miroku was a Houshi . . . I buried enough bodies beside him to know.”

Michael's good eye widened at that proclamation. “Bodies . . .”

InuYasha considered how it was that this man knew of the legends, yet seemed shocked at the idea of there being death. “He considered it his duty to lay the dead to rest. And there was a lot of it to be done. When ever we happened on a destroyed village, I knew we'd be at least a couple of days delayed 'cuz of the burials.”

“Whole villages destroyed?” Michael sat back on the couch, his most recently poured drink untouched. “Definitely not the stuff of fairy tales,” he muttered with a vacant look.

“Reality's a lot harsher than bedtime stories. It was a dangerous time.” Watching Michael's reaction, InuYasha decided it was time to address present realities. “It was one of those villages where we met Kouga the first time. Kagome sensed his shards, and it led us to a village where everyone was dead. Mauled, mangled . . . half eaten.”

“My Gods . . . the same guy? Miranda's Kouga?” Michael was aghast, and rightfully so if he had met the Wolf and survived. But he didn't know. He didn't really know what Kouga was capable of. That was exactly what InuYasha had been afraid of. Michael needed to know.

“Same mangy fuck that kidnapped Kagome, then nearly got her killed. The asshole had the nerve to proclaim her his woman after that . . .” InuYasha scowled at the memory. “She was just a scared kid..”

“But I thought . . . “ Michael stammered with confusion, then pointed, “But she said . . . You were . . .”

“Oh, yeah . . .” InuYasha confirmed. “Sure . . . eventually. Like I said, she was just a kid then.”

“So he didn't . . .” Michael swallowed noticeably.

“Nah, I'd have killed him on the spot if he had. I'm sure she would'a let me, too. But he never did stop sniffin' after her. I can't count how many times we went at it, even after I claimed her,” InuYasha glared at the floor. This wasn't exactly going where he had planned. “She'd always drop me before I could finish him off. Crazy bitch had some kind of soft spot for the bastard . . . even though she finally did choose me.”

“It is my experience, that women are forgiving creatures. Often to their own detriment, sad to say,” Michael sighed and reached for his glass, to sip this time. “So you did take her as your mate.“

InuYasha watched Michael for a moment. No, the talk wasn't exactly what he had planned, but it was going well so far. That last remark really sounded like something the old Miroku would have said. It was only right that Michael had questions. It was only right that he give him some answers.

“Not exactly, monk. I married Kagome,” InuYasha frowned. “I didn't mark her . . . that would have been a death sentence . . . for both of us.”

“That bad?” The man looked disbelieving.

“That bad. A youkai mark was like a brand, and people of the villages would have scorned her right alongside me, if not try to stone her to death. Youkai would have just attacked without provocation, and definitely without warning. Being married was just . . . easier to hide . . . for Kagome's sake.”

“It really has been all about Kagome, for you, hasn't it? Even then.” There was a look of enlightenment on Michael's face.

“I was just happy to be able to stay with her.” InuYasha sat back in the chair with a wistful smile. “You performed the rites. When you found out that we'd . . . well, you know . . . you insisted on it. Fuck, you even threatened me.”

“I threatened YOU?” Michael was amazed at the revelation. InuYasha was mildly amused by that, after two days of listening to his bluster, and then escalating to actual attacks. Apparently the man was completely unaware of just how lethal he once had been with the combination of his training and highly developed innate abilities.

“Trust me, the tricks you know right now are just beginner shit,” InuYasha snorted. “I knew I had to get through to you soon or you really would kick my ass. Permanently.”

Michael stared off into space for a moment, then sighed. “She was going to try to find you. Did you know that?”

“Huh?”

“She made a reservation for a flight to Tokyo, I heard her do it. She'd had dreams, really vivid ones, and her mother put it together that she might do it. My job was to try to stop her somehow. She was going try and find you . . . through the well.” Michael finished his drink then looked as though he was considering pouring another.

“So she knows about the well . . . Fuck, she wouldn't have lasted a week on her own . . .” InuYasha suppressed a shudder. He'd almost missed her. If he hadn't found her she might have made that jump, and everything could have been lost. Looking over at Michael, his curiosity got the better of him. “How did you stop her?”

“I did what her mother suggested and introduced her to someone I thought she would like,” Michael sighed. “You saw him . . . Hojo . . . I had no idea she had already met you.”

“That wimpy assed waste of space?? You've got to be kidding me,” InuYasha cracked his knuckles at the memory. The guy had sworn it wasn't over, but it would be . . . the next time he showed his face around Kagome.

“I think Kouga said something to him,” Michael added. “I don't know what, but Miranda was watching them as they talked. Like he was recruiting him somehow . . . she asked me what I was going to do now that I know that Youkai are among us . . . like I had some kind of choice to make.”

InuYasha's eyes narrowed as he considered this information. It was obvious that Kouga was after the Jewel, but why would he want to recruit some human to his cause? The fact that he was allowing his tribe to feed on them made it obvious that he saw no value in them. That's why it had been such a shock to hear that he had taken a human female after Ayame's death. He'd broken his vow to Kagome, but yet had taken Miranda and even pupped her, if what they had said was true. Then he had lied to Kagome, telling her 'the hanyou' was dead. He had a mate, why did he care one way or another about who Kagome wanted. None of it made any sense.

 

Michael stared at him for a moment, then lifted his injured arm to glare at the palm. The mark of where the curse had been. InuYasha found it fascinating that it was even there, like a shadow of the terror Miroku had lived with so very long ago. He hadn't mentioned it, but it had only been two weeks before that final battle that the monk had performed the marriage rites for them. Joining them in a holy tradition, something he openly said he would not allow himself to have until the void was forever closed. But that had been too late.

Michael looked up and blinked as though he were trying to focus. “I'm just glad I couldn't . . . didn't . . .”

InuYasha closed his eyes briefly. After slugging him in the face, he vaguely remembered hearing the shout, and the burning on his chest. After that it all fogged over. Sango screaming at him, Kagome calling to him. Then the craving set in, that horrible need to spill blood.

Looking up at Michael, realization dawned on him. “But . . . You tried, didn't you? For a split second you thought you could stop it . . . stop me.”

“I'm ashamed to admit it, but yes,” Michael's expression was abysmal. “All I succeeded in doing was making myself look like a fool. It seems I've gotten good at that lately.”

“But, Miroku . . .” InuYasha waited until their eyes met, then stated pointedly, “I'm glad you tried to.”

Michael just stared in astonishment. He probably didn't understand, and that was ok. One day maybe he would. He had acted on instinct and it opened the door that InuYasha had been trying to kick down with reason. 'When reason don't work, let gut instinct cut your path'. Kagome used to call that a Yasha-ism. He wondered what she would call it now.

“You're really going to take her,” Michael stated, breaking the silence.

“Don't see as I have any choice. I can't command Tetsusaiga like this,” he responded resignedly. “She'll be safer at the compound.”

“How long? I mean . . . will we see you?” A hint of fear had crossed his features. He didn't want to lose her. InuYasha didn't want to lose any of them.

“Do you remember when I told you that all I want is my family back?” He asked the man. He could see by his furrowed brow that he didn't understand. “That they had been taken away from me one at a time and how I just want them back?”

He waited as Michael recalled the conversation, finally, with a glance toward the kitchen where it had occurred. He then nodded his head rapidly, face pinched with guilt. InuYasha needed to drive home this point, so he sat forward waiting for the monk to meet his eyes.

“You were the first one I lost. You're an important part of that family, monk. It won't be long. Count on it.” InuYasha rose from the chair and found Michael had risen from the couch and was reaching out for him with his good arm.

“I don't know how yet . . . but I want to help. I need to help,” his voice nearly a whisper, Michael look as though he were about to cry.

“You are,” InuYasha grasped his arm and pulled him close enough for their shoulders to touch, then whispered, “You believe me.” They held that position for a long moment. InuYasha felt a sense of relief and gratitude for the return of his old friend. For that sense of kinship that he had missed for so long. He then pushed back, and nodded toward Selene's room, commanding with a smirk, “Now get your ass in there, your woman is waiting for you.”

“Oh Hell! You're right!” Shaking himself, Michael quickly made for the bedroom. “What's wrong with me??”

“Trying to knock down fences with your head does that, monk . . .” InuYasha chuckled after him. “Don't worry, it'll pass.”

Turning to join Kagome, a familiar tickling sensation against his chest drew his attention. Reaching into his haori, he pulled out the phone and pressed the button, watching with fascination as the ear and mouthpiece slid out. Technology, they called it. It still looked like magic to him..

“Oi, Jackass . . .” he answered before he had it completely to his ear.

“You are a very difficult man to find . . . InuYasha.” His grin dropped abruptly. The voice was male but definitely not his brother. And not familiar at all. No one outside this house or the compound used his name. No one. Except . . .

 

“Who the Hell is this?”

 

 

 

~oo0O0oo~

 

 

 

 

 

His nostrils flared as he drew in the kaleidoscopic combination of scents around him. Melded together they formed the general aroma of this kind of place. As familiar as the smell of frying chicken in grandma's kitchen, or the subway at rush hour. But, with the onset of his heightened senses he could untangle the various individual odors and categorize them; pine cleaner, antiseptic, a myriad of pungent chemicals, laced with body odor and the metallic tang of blood. He frowned at that. The blood was his brother's and he shuddered at the memory of the event that had drawn it.

 

Kouga had really done a number on his mate's new Aegis. At first Hojo feared that he was dead. He lay so very still after Kouga finally stopped pummeling him with his fists. Once he had been pounded into submission, albeit via unconsciousness - and Hojo reduced to hysterics - Miranda had taken over. Slapping Hojo to his senses, she had then approached her mate and diverted his attention with nuzzling and whispered promises. Wide eyed, Hojo had been aghast at her behavior until he realized that it was a ploy. The woman had known how to get through to the Prince. And apparently it worked, since the youkai had growled and lifted her into his arms. When Kouga carried her past him, a meaningful glare from her and then to his car made it clear she wanted him to get Ginta the hell out of there. As soon as the couple was out of sight, he had done just that.

 

Not realizing how heavy his newly adopted brother was, he had struggled to drag him from the garden to the car. While working to maneuver the youkai's limp frame into the passenger seat, Ginta had jerked and gasped like he was surfacing from a too long swim. He'd actually been able to assist Hojo in getting him into the seat, followed by a short period of lucidity before passing out again. It may not have been for long, but the request he made had brought Hojo to a crossroad. He could only hope he was making the right choice.

 

As he pulled away from the house, Ginta had leaned heavily into his shoulder and whispered, “Kouga's mad . . . Find InuYasha . . . He'll stop the bastards,” then promptly passed out again. The only thing that had kept him from landing right in Hojo's lap was the safety harness. First priority had to be getting help for Ginta.

 

He found it troubling to think that Kouga would send anyone after Kagome but him. Why had he done that, after promising Hojo that she would be his and his alone? This had to have something to do with the Shikon no Tama. He'd kept his promise to Mike and not said a word about it to either Kouga or Miranda. Yet he heard Kouga swear that “The Jewel” would be his. Had that been his plan all along? To take the Shikon from Kagome?

 

He couldn't understand how the trusted Guardian of the First Mother had suddenly become their Prince's personal punching bag. After watching Kouga beat Ginta senseless without him even once raising a hand in his own defense, Hojo was having serious second thoughts about the esteemed Ookami Prince. Maybe he really was insane, maybe Ginta was right.

 

In the few hours he had spent with Ginta that evening, he had grown to a new understanding. It was as if some part of his brain that had lain dormant all his life had been awakened. And it had been Ginta who had done that. Kouga had opened the door, sure enough. But Ginta had turned on the lights. He owed him big, and though it would mean turning the protection of the woman he loved over to someone he didn't know, he would do as his Oniisan asked. He would find this InuYasha.

 

InuYasha. The name was familiar, he didn't like the sound of it. He didn't know why, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He struggled to remember where he had heard it before. Someplace recently. Then it dawned on him. That was the name that Sally had used at the mall. The person that Kagome had sounded like when she impatiently demanded they get going. The lover from another lifetime, according to Mike. But, how could that be?

 

InuYasha. Roughly translated it meant 'dog spirit'. Or Dog - Demon Warrior. Inudono. Another dog. Mr. Dog. Lord Dog. What's with all the damn dogs? 'Inudono is one of them.' That's what Mike had said just before he had set up wards on the house that night. Demons in the city. The thought had been preposterous to Hojo at first. He had insulted Kagome by laughing at her claims, but he had been wrong. So very wrong. Meeting Kouga had convinced him of just how wrong he really had been.

 

Suddenly the memory of Caleb Inudono, black jacket and white braids flying, grabbing Kagome out of his arms and calling him a wimp as he carried her away, flashed angrily through Hojo's mind. He glared at Ginta's unconscious form and groaned. Inudono. InuYasha. Of course. It was no wonder that Caleb had been so possessive of Kagome. Caleb must be this InuYasha. But, she had called him 'Caleb', hadn't she? Did she even know who the guy was?? Hojo suddenly wished he had that business card that had been delivered with the sake that he hadn't been allowed to drink.

 

Laptop poised precariously on the edge of the gurney, he pondered the next step in solving the puzzle, the unlisted phone number for one Caleb Inudono. The last person he wanted to talk to. The one who had stolen his girl. The one he had been planning to challenge for said girl. The only one who could save that girls life, according to Ginta.

 

Shaking his head at the wild turn of events, Hojo jumped to grab the edge of his laptop as Ginta groaned and changed positions. He watched him briefly in hopes he was waking, He'd been unconscious far too long for comfort. Watching the steady rise and fall of his chest for a moment, he then cracked his knuckles and sat back down to begin working his techno-magic; hacking into to the main Triple-D database in hopes of finding something useful.

 

“Your friend - he a musician?” the nurse asked as she moved to check her patient's vitals, and adjust the IV drip.

 

“Huh?” Hojo responded stupidly, as he looked up and blinked to focus. “Uh . . . no.” He'd been concentrating on the task at hand and had missed the young woman's entrance. Warm sandalwood and Jasmine wafted from her skin as she lifted Ginta's arm and looked at her watch. Hojo's bangs dropped into his eyes as he returned to the search he was conducting. He raked them back and pursed his lips at the screen. He had found a requisition order for a satellite phone for the Junior Vice President of the Division of Internal Security, Caleb Inudono. Damn, the guy sure advanced fast. He's been back what, a week?? Guess it doesn't hurt to know the boss. He's not doing a very good job, though, with the corporate database so easy hack. But, if there's a phone, there's got to be a number.

 

“I was just wondering. . .” the young woman continued annoyingly, “'cuz that ear job must have cost a fortune.” She lowered the arm and reached up to trace one of Ginta's ears. “It's perfect, seamless, no sign of the prosthetic. A real artist did this. I figured he must be in show business to have something like this done.”

 

Hojo froze in mid keystroke. She thought that Ginta's ears were the result of plastic surgery. Looking up at the girl, he saw that she was closely inspecting all of Ginta's features with a look of curious fascination. Suddenly, and rather belatedly, Hojo realized that he had made a huge mistake. In his frantic worry about what to do, where to get help, he had driven his Ookami brother directly to a human Emergency Room.

 

 

~o0o~

 

 

“Fuck . . .” Ginta groaned, brushing at his ear. It felt like a fly was crawling on it. “Someone get the number of that semi?” Reaching up to tentatively touch his sore jaw, he opened one eye.

 

“Welcome back, Mr. Akuba,” blinking open the other eye, Ginta sought out the source of the delicately melodic voice. “You were beginning to worry us.” A blond with large ice blue eyes, and a mop of shining loose curls was smiling warmly down at him. The brightness of the light behind her reflected off her hair and for a second he would have sworn that she had a halo.

 

“Kami . . . so I've died after all . . .” he whispered hoarsely. “I must've done somethin' right, 'cuz this has got to be Heaven.” On seeing the girl blush prettily, he flashed her a dimpled grin. “Hello Angel.” Noting a slight increase in the girl's pulse and respiration, it was then that he realized that this place he was in happened to be full of mortals. What the Hell?

 

“Oniisan! How are you feeling?” Hojo asked nervously, moving his laptop to the chair and standing where Ginta could see him. Ginta's eyes widened, then narrowed, his question answered. And for some odd reason he had thought this kid was smart. He had to get out of here, and fast.

 

The pretty nurse cleared her throat and picked up her clipboard. “The doctor will be here in a few minutes. He has a couple of questions about your blood workup.” Checking an apparatus beside him, she added, “Just rest till then,” and patted him gently on the arm before leaving.

 

Ginta sniffed deeply, drawing in the scent of the female and drifted for a moment. No time for this and he knew it but he just couldn't help himself. Then it hit him, “Blood workup? What the hell??” Rising to sit he scowled at his surroundings, then lifted his left arm to find the IV sticking into it. With a scowl he growled and ripped the offensive thing out , then glared at Hojo.

 

“You were hurt . . . I just . . . ah, you shouldn't do that . . .” the idiot stammered and pointed.

 

Ginta shook his head, and hopped off the gurney. His head still hurt, and the light was too bright in this room. Scanning the unfamiliar surroundings, he found what he was looking for. Hastily drawing a blue area curtain closed to block the view from the open doorway, then shoving the wheeled bed out of the way, he began rifling through the drawers and shelves of a low cupboard.

 

“What are you doing? You aren't supposed to get into that stuff!!” Hojo warned.

 

“Getting the Hell out of here, you moron!!” He growled from a crouch, digging into a low drawer. As he spoke he could feel his cheeks flapping against his gums where molars had once been. It would be days before they all grew back. Days he wouldn't have if he didn't move fast.

 

“ Just a second . . . I got a line on InuYasha, you didn't tell me he was one of the Inudonos,” Hojo pushed the chair back a bit, out of the way then plopped into it. Perching the laptop on a crossed leg, his refocused on the screen. “Searching the corporate database now for emergency contact numbers . . . found the phone requisition, so there's gotta be a number here for him.”

 

Ginta finally found something useful, pulling out a set of worn blue scrubs. Checking another drawer he found the caps and masks. Frantically he began donning the traditional surgical attire. There wasn't much time. He was certain that Hojo had no idea just how dangerous the situation really was. When youkai were discovered, they disappeared. Having survived the confrontation with Kouga, he really didn't want to end up flayed out in some ningen vivisection project.

 

“Do that shit LATER!!” Ginta hissed, hastily grabbing the IV bottle and hanging it on the raised hook of the gurney. “Get over here, damnit!”

 

Hojo looked up, a confused brow raised at the ookami. Then recognition brightened his face, and he quickly closed the laptop. “I think I saw that episode!” he exclaimed as he hopped up to climb onto the bed, clutching his laptop by his side.

 

“What the Hell are you talking about?” Ginta growled. As Hojo opened his mouth to explain, he clamped a hand over it, pressing him flat on the mattress. “Nevermind!! Just be still . . . you're sick, got it?” At Hojo's wide eyed nod he withdrew his hand and pulled the sheet up over his head. Handing him the tube from the IV, he smoothed the sheet and pressed the Velcro fastening of his mask. The trick here was to get past the desk and out the door without raising suspicion.

 

Sticking his head out the into the hallway, he studied the staff as they went about their tasks. The nurses station was to the right, as was an exit sign - pointing in the same damn direction. If it weren't for bad luck, he wouldn't have any at all. The Angel was on her tip toes leaning over the counter, rear end thrust out in a delightfully provocative pose, while conspiratorially whispering something to an older, heavy set female. The older woman was looking bemused and shaking her head. The skirt of the Angel's uniform hiked up just a smidgen as she stretched to conceal her mouth with her hand. Ginta swallowed and blinked. It didn't seem to matter which way you looked at her, she was magnificent. Sighing, he backed up and pressed against the wall, taking a stuttered breath.

 

“What's the hold up?” came a muffled whisper from under the sheet.

 

“Shhh!! Angel face is out there. She'll see us for sure.” Ginta chanced another glance to see the girl smooth down her skirt and pickup a clipboard, then turn and walk off in the opposite direction. The elder nurse still chuckling and shaking her head.

 

“Velma!!” the girl called over her shoulder. “Not a word, I mean it!!”

 

“Lips are sealed, babygirl,” the woman chuckled, raising a hand. “Ain't my business who's ears you think are pretty,” he overheard her mumble as she returned to her paperwork.

 

On seeing his opening, Ginta cautiously pushed the gurney out of the room. Careful to not move too quickly, he kept his eyes fixed straight forward and followed the arrow on the exit sign. So the Angel had a thing about ears, huh? That must have been what that tickling was. She was touching his ears when he woke up. Interesting.

 

“Hey Doofus!! Surgery is the other way,” chided the elder nurse as he passed the station. He had to think fast, he didn't want to go the other way. He needed to go this way.

 

“Not surgery. Special quarantine,” he shot over his shoulder, pointing toward the rear exit. “Transport out to General.” Ginta held his breath and kept moving. Every town has a General Hospital, right? Or if not, some nearby one did. Hojo moaned dramatically for emphasis, and Ginta nearly tripped. “What the hell are you doing?” he whispered horsely.

 

“You said I'm sick, I'm being sick,” Hojo whispered in response, then moaned again. Ginta scanned the area to see if the baka had drawn attention to them, and tripped again his foot sliding underneath him. Catching himself by the bed rail, he glared down at the floor. A glistening trail of the saline solution that had dripped from the tube marked the path they had taken.

 

“Shit!” He reached down and grabbed the end and shoved it under the sheet. “I said hold that and shut up!” he hissed. “We're almost there.”

 

“Damn, you're good . . .” Hojo murmured through the sheet. “I take it, you've done this before.”

 

Ginta ignored the comment as he raced to the automatic glass doors at the end of the next hallway . Slapping the over sized button, the doors hummed opened to a covered driveway. “Where's your car?” he demanded shoving the bed outside and uncovering Hojo's face. Speedily divesting himself of his disguise, he tossed the items on the foot of the gurney then pushed it toward some bushes.

 

“Over there,” finding his feet, Hojo clutched his computer and pointed past the overhang. Ginta nodded and hopped on one foot then the other to yank the remaining scrubs off. Tossing them in the general direction of the gurney, he grabbed Hojo's arm and they took off in the direction he had indicated.

 

“Hey!! I thought you were somebody, but you're really just another deadbeat!!” Came a shrill voice from the doorway. Ginta glanced back to see the Angel standing with her hands on her hips, and he froze in his tracks.. “Did you welch out on your plastic surgeon too??”

 

Ginta watched her for second. There was something about her. Something that told him she was different. Or maybe it was pure animal attraction. He wondered if it was anything like the something that Kouga had seen in Miranda. Even angry, this Angel was a sight to behold, and now she thought him a swindler. He would be damned if he would let her keep thinking that. Just one minute. He could spare that. One minute to argue in his defense, to gaze into those eyes again, to draw in that enticing scent.

 

“Go get the car,” he ordered Hojo gruffly, before he sprinted back to face the Angel's accusations. He knew it was a risk, he shouldn't be wasting the time. Her scent surrounded him, enveloped him as he approached her.

 

“What is your name, Angel?” He asked reaching for a hand.

 

“Tina . . . hey, your bruises. . . they're almost gone!” A delicate line formed between her brows as she reached up with her other hand to touch his face.

 

“There's no plastic surgeon, Tina. I was born like this,” he informed her, taking her other hand as it dropped from his face.

 

“No one heals that fast,” she mumbled studying his face.

 

“I do . . . Believe it Tina . . . look, I have to hurry.” They were bathed in unnatural light as Hojo pulled up behind him, and Ginta leaned slightly to see that Hojo was back at the computer. He fought against the urge to just take the girl with them. He didn't want to leave her, but he didn't dare waste any more time.

 

“Do me a favor . . .” Intensely meeting her eyes, he touched lightly under her chin. “Make it go away . . . I was never here . . . I don't have time to explain, but it's really important.”

 

“But . . . I don't . . .” she stammered at the request. “Who . . . are you??”

 

“Look, someone is in serious danger, and I have to warn them. Just do this little thing for me??” He held her shoulders for emphasis, then quickly scanned the quiet area. So far she was the only one to see them leaving.

 

“Bingo!! Yeah!! Who's the man??” Hojo grinned in triumph. “I got it!!” He shouted through the door.

 

“There's a website, do a search for 'B.E.N.S' . . . read what it says,” He released her chin, and backed up to the car. “Then if you still want to know who I am, send a message to the webmaster. Tell him . . . tell him you're 'Ginta's Angel'.” He climbed into the vehicle. “Let's go.”

 

“You sound like some kinda superhero . . . like Spiderman! Off to save someone!,” she called after him.

 

Hojo gunned the engine and pulled out while Ginta rolled down the window twisting his neck to respond, “NO SPIDERS!! I fucking hate spiders . . .” he trailed off as he bounced back into the seat.

 

“What'd you say to her? She just . . . let us leave . . .” Hojo asked, astounded.

 

“I told her about the website, and asked her to get rid of the evidence. What the HELL were you THINKING?? Where are my damn weapons??”

 

“I panicked ok? Back there, “ Hojo jerked a thumb toward the back seat. “You stopped bleeding but you wouldn't wake up!! I didn't know where else to go . . .”

 

“Doahou . . .” Ginta muttered under his breath, folding his arms across his chest.

 

It took him a minute of concentration, but Hojo apparently translated Ginta's judgment on him. Ginta grinned slightly when he heard him whispering under his breath.

 

“Fuck-wit . . . Fuck-wit?? HEY!! That's totally uncalled for!!” Hojo retorted animatedly. “At least I did something!! I . . . I . . . I could have just . . . left you there, you know!!” he stammered.

 

“You wouldn't!!” Aghast at the thought, Ginta turned wide eyes at the driver. “Not your brother, you wouldn't have left your brother behind . . .” then he hesitated, “. . . would you?” Hojo could very well have abandoned him to his fate. But he hadn't.

 

Hojo swerved into a convenience store parking lot killing the engine.

 

“No, I couldn't have left you,” he sighed resignedly. “I'm sorry, I didn't think. All I knew was you were really hurt and wouldn't wake up. Next time I won't make that mistake, ok?”

 

“If there's a next time, you won't need to worry about it,” Ginta replied glumly. “The next time, he'll kill me. Call InuYasha . . . now.”

 

“Right,” Hojo swallowed then nodded and fumbled for his phone. Opening the laptop, he found the number and dialed, then took a deep breath as the call connected.

 

“Please let it not be too late,” Ginta whispered, watching Hojo closely. Before speaking, a bewildered expression filtered onto Hojo's face.

 

“You are a very difficult man to find . . . InuYasha.” Pressing the phone against his chest he hissed, “He just called me a jackass!”

 

“What the hell??” Ginta grabbed for the phone. “Don't we have enough drama without you getting all theatrical?? DAMN!”

 

“But, why'd he called me that . . .” Hojo asked perplexed.

 

“ 'Cuz he's an asshole!! He calls everybody names!!” Ginta raised the phone to his ear, muttering, “Loyal as hell, but still an asshole.”

 

“Who the fuck are you, that you think you know me so damn well??” InuYasha ground out, suspicious and obviously irritated.

 

“InuYasha, listen,” Ginta began. “Kagome's in serious trouble.”

 

“Fuckin' liar, she's right here and she's fine.”

 

“No!! You gotta take her away!! Someplace she wouldn't normally go . . .”

 

“Who the HELL is this??”

 

“Never mind that . . . Look, if Kouga finds out about this I'm dead, got it? I can't let him have Oneesan . . . he's crazy.”

 

“No shit, you just figured that out?? Wait . . . Oneesan??” His tone carried an element of surprise, “Hakkaku??”

 

Ginta felt his gut twist at the mention of his brother's name, and for a second wondered just what Hakkaku would have thought of all of this. He sure as Hell would approve of anything that interfered with M'noche. One day, Ginta would make both M'noche and Diego pay. He owed that to to his late brother.

 

“No . . . not Hakkaku,” he pressed a palm against his forehead, blinking back the moisture his thoughts inspired. “Just take her away, I couldn't handle it if she got hurt,” Ginta pleaded. He heard a rustling on the other side.

 

“Kagome . . . Kagome wake up,” InuYasha spoke gently, like he was waking a child. “C'mon Koi, we gotta go . . .”

 

“He told them where to find her, so anyplace normal for her is dangerous right now,” Ginta spoke quickly, hoping the urgency of the situation was completely clear. “It's been hours since he did it, so you gotta move fast.”

 

“Get your stuff . . . “ Ginta could hear a sleepy female in the background, and took a shuddered breath, just as InuYasha demanded, “Who the Hell are these guys?? No, Koi . . . over there, don't worry about the damn clothes.”

 

“You don't know 'em . . . I wish to Hell I didn't,” Ginta replied with a scowl, glancing at Hojo's grim expression. “It's ok mattei, we're in time.” At that Hojo closed his eyes and nodded crisply.

 

“Ginta,” came InuYasha's voice.

 

“Nani?” he responded before he realized what he was doing, then banged his head on the window at his own stupidity. So much for the anonymous warning.

 

“Why?” InuYasha asked gently, then away from the phone, “You're jacket's still in the front room, Kagome . . . hurry up, already!!”

 

“Kouga's lost it . . . he's crossed the line,” Ginta responded glumly. “ . . . and I'm a dead wolf,” he muttered into the window, where he had pressed his forehead.

 

“No, I mean why are you warning us?” InuYasha persisted.

 

“Because . . . because I couldn't stand it . . . for her to die again would . . . She's still my pack sister, I don't care what anyone else says.”

 

He waited as he heard shuffling and rustling on the other end. They were on the move, and for that he was relieved. InuYasha had believed him. He and Hojo had succeeded.

 

“Ginta . . .” came the nearly whispered response, “thank you.” It was followed by two loud thumps. “We're outta here!! You guys better leave too!!”

 

Ginta pressed the endcall button and handed the phone back to Hojo. Perhaps they had saved more than one life tonight.

 

 

 

~oo00O00oo~

 

 

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