InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forever a Shadow ❯ The Trouble Keeps Coming ( Chapter 18 )

18. The Trouble Keeps Coming

 

 

 

It was time to come clean with his brother, after all it was Sesshomaru who was keeping the law-wolves at bay, and it was Sesshomaru who was making sure his wife and children got the very best of care. Inuyasha could not help the chill that was racing through his veins when the realization that because of him Kagome was more than likely in trouble, what if she was already dead? Inuyasha had given Sesshomaru the photo and cryptic note that accompanied it, it was all too confusing, things were just happening to fast.

 

 

“When did she turn up missing?” Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had taken over an empty patient room four door down from Kikyo, there were photo's and various items covering the bed, Inuyasha could feel the anxiety rising, but he had to hold it together. “What will I do if Kagome is already dead?”

 

 

“If she's dead you better pray to whatever god you wish, that you are not implicated in her demise.” Sesshomaru was a bit taken aback by his brothers lingering feelings for this woman who inadvertently turned his world askew. “However Inuyasha, I do not think she is dead just yet, but she is hiding, and it is not only from you, it is that wolf she was involved with I would stake my soul upon it. She closed out all of her accounts and simply vanished, we could find no record of car rentals of flights, but it doesn't mean she is still in the country. My feeling is that she is overseas; I have my people in London on their way to interview her brother, not to mention the Tokyo branch has her Mothers home under constant surveillance.”

 

 

Inuyasha sat slumped in the uncomfortable chair of the room as Sesshomaru leaned on the bed, his arms crossed across his chest passively looking at his bewildered brother. Sesshomaru could not believe how disorientated Inuyasha was; then again he had been lost in grief for himself and his family for so long Inuyasha had lost the world around him that continued to move on without him. The Taiyoukai picked up the old photograph of the younger, vibrant Kikyo, kneeling next to an obviously, terribly burned patient of hers, who was this person, and what did it have to do with the predicament that his little brother had found himself in?

 

 

“What does it mean, your beloved wife is not what she seems to be, she will consume your heart? Is it from the poor bastard in the photo? Surely you would know this person if he was a friend of Kikyo's? Right?” Sesshomaru handed off the picture to Inuyasha.

 

 

“I have never met this person, I doubt he was a friend.” Inuyasha stared into the glossy bloodshot eye, which was the only distinguishing feature of the man; the rest of him was wrapped like a mummy.

 

 

“Maybe a old boyfriend?” Inuyasha shook his head `no' in response. “Then maybe a old colleague from the hospital?” Sesshomaru heavily sighed; picking up the now closed bank statements of Kagome's, the woman was another variable, to many unknowns, and Sesshomaru hated being left in the dark, especially when it came to his family. “Your Kagome is smart I'll give the tramp that, she covered her tracks well. She never returned home after her altercation with Sango in the lobby, she simply ran out into the night and fell off everyone radar, ever her wolf fiancé can't find her, no things just aren't adding up. I hate not knowing the answers to easy questions.”

 

 

“I have to ask Kikyo about this guy don't I?” Inuyasha looked up into his brothers' unreadable face, how he could remain always composed bewildered the younger brother. “God I don't want to do it, but I guess I have no choice. Wonder if she will even let me step one foot in the door?”

 

 

“You have no choice in the matter, Kikyo can identify this person, she must realize there people are trying to ruin your lives.” Inuyasha stood up from the chair, brushing his hair from his face. “Well I better get this over with, wish me luck.” Inuyasha took in a deep breath as he walked from the room.

 

 

“Luck has nothing to do with it.” Sesshomaru muttered.

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

Kagome had returned to Sota's flat finding her brother on the phone speaking quickly, his face had gone pale the moment Kagome entered the room. Hanging up the phone Sota ushered Kagome into the living room, something had rattled her brother and Kagome herself was beginning to become a bit fearful herself.

 

 

 

“What's going on?” Sota sat Kagome down and rushed to his bathroom door banging on it urgently yelling for Shippo to get out. “Sota? You're scaring me, what's happening?”

 

 

Shippo stepped out holding a towel around his midsection and soap dripping down his face utterly startled by Kagome's brother's tone of voice.

 

 

“You two have got to go, and not in an hour, right this minute. You are lucky I have friends at the office or your goose would be cooked right now sis. They're coming, and they're coming right now! You have to go, Sesshomaru is looking for you, there is no corner of Europe or Asia that man can't touch.” Sota tried to hold the panic in his voice back but found himself failing miserably.

 

 

“Just don't answer the door. It's not like they would break it down to get in here.” Shippo wiped the soap from his face as a shiver came over him, the warmth of the shower calling to him.

 

 

“Go rinse off Shippo, I'll get our things together.” Shippo returned to the bathroom, as Sota stood there stunned.

 

 

“You're not hearing me Kagome, they are coming for you. God Kagome what the hell did you do?” Sota collapsed to the couch his head hanging in his hands.

 

 

“So we've got what ten minutes, maybe more?” Kagome went to grab her bags, realizing they had no car except her brothers. “Give me your keys.”

 

 

“What?”

 

 

“You heard me, I need your keys and whatever cash you have, I still can't touch my accounts for a few more days. We'll head back to Heathrow and catch a flight to somewhere. I think Shippo still has some money, I just hope it's enough, at least he can still use his credit cards, at least until they realize he's with me.” Kagome lugged out her bags as Sota still sat muttering to himself. “Listen Sota, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come. I was hoping not to drag you into this. We'll leave your car at the airport, I'll call you later to tell you what lot.”

 

 

“No, have Shippo call me, I'm sure after today my line will be monitored. Sesshomaru really wants you found, what happened Kagome?” Sota helped her lug the suitcase to the door.

 

 

“Really nothing, I don't know why Sesshomaru is looking for me.” Kagome knew neither Sesshomaru nor Inuyasha had any knowledge of the baby, she was curious about it herself why they wanted her.

 

 

“Listen sis, if I'm going to loose my job and my sister I think I should know why.”

 

 

Guilt struck Kagome a hard blow to the heart. Sota had always been the best little brother, she owed him a response, but then again Kagome didn't want Sota any deeper in this mess than he already was.

 

 

“Okay, you know about my relationship with Inuyasha, and you know his family was seriously hurt in a car accident, but what you don't know is that I may be carrying Inuyasha's baby.” Kagome took a deep breath as Sota's face turned to shock. “But even he doesn't know, neither does Sesshomaru, so I really have no clue why he is looking for me, I figured Kouga would try this crap, but not Inuyasha. Something must have happened.”

 

 

“I wonder how bad it really is. How could you get yourself mixed up with Kouga again, you know he was nothing but trouble in college, wolves have a way of biting you in the ass when angered, and you really must have hurt him bad. As for Inuyasha, if it's really his kid, you have to tell him, he can protect you from Kouga.”

 

 

“Are you insane Sota?! He has a family, I can't add to his problems. Believe you me I have done plenty already to hurt his family. No, I'm not going to tell him, and neither are you. Right?” Sota sat silently stone-faced. “Right Sota.”

 

 

Shaking his head as if to clear the scandalous words from memory he looked into his sisters pleading eyes. “I won't say anything sis.” Kagome was sure that he was lying and the look on her face echoed that thought. “I promise okay?”

 

 

“Alright, now help me get these bags into your car before Sesshomaru's goons come knocking.” Kagome looped two carryon bags over her shoulder as Sota struggled with the bigger bags. “Will this stuff fit in your `martin?” Kagome rushed to the stairs holding her breath hoping that they were still ahead of the Taiyoukai's men.

 

 

“I doubt it, you always did pack too much. When will I see you again? It's not like you can casually call me or drop me a email, Sesshomaru will be watching everything.” Sota felt a knife of panic pierce his heart; suddenly he feared he might never see his big sister again, particularly if the psychotic wolf caught her trail. “Sis you have to be careful, I've got a bad feeling about this, what about Mom, this could kill her if you just fall off the face of the earth.” Sota followed after Kagome who was already at the entrance of his building. “Kagome I know you hear me.”

 

 

Opening the door, the shutting it closed once again Kagome stopped waiting for her little brother. “You have to somehow let Mom know I'm alright, it will be up to you.”

 

 

“Yea right. After you leave in my car, that won't really be the truth any more will it.” Sota sighed opening the door leading out to the street and his car.

 

 

Sota followed Kagome out into the late morning winter air, the sun was lost behind the snow filled clouds, Sota could feel a storm coming, not only for London, but also for his entire family. Somehow his sister had managed to piss off two of the most powerful youkai clans on the planet, both having bloodlines that had lasted for hundreds maybe thousands of years, hell, no one even actually knew how old his employer Sesshomaru truly was, Sota figured if he did know it would only add to his trepidation. Kagome stayed silent as she opened the car, dropping the carryon bags in the front seat. Sota struggled getting the larger bags into the back, knowing it would take a miracle if they all fit.

 

 

“I'm going back up to get Shippo, stay with the car okay?” Sota grunted a response as he forcefully pushed in the luggage.

 

 

Kagome disappeared back into the building. Sota stood half in and half out of his small car cursing under his breath for buying the damn tiny car, unaware of the black sedan turning onto his block.

 

 

Shippo was dressed and opening the door as Kagome came in startled to see the Kitsune standing before her smiling, his red hair still wet brushed away from his face, his dazzling emerald eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.

 

“Ready to make our escape?” Kagome followed Shippo out the door leading the way toward the stairs as Kagome closed the door behind him.

 

 

“We need to hurry.” Kagome spoke, only to be silenced by the Kitsune hurriedly pulling her down the hall to him pushing Kagome up against a neighbors door his hands holding her hips firmly against hers his mouth covering hers in a passionate kiss before she could voice a word of protest.

 

 

Shippo had seen the two men dressed like the stereotypical FBI from movies ascending the staircase the second Kagome had closed the door and stepped a few feet toward him. Shippo felt lucky that Kagome had not kneed him in the crotch for his actions, but thankful that he caught her so off guard, and unable to get a word out edgewise. Shippo's long wet hair covered Kagome's features from view as he heard the men reach the landing. One of the men muttering under his breath for them to “get a room”, then the two passed them moving two doors down to Sota's flat.

 

 

Shippo moved to kiss her neck placing his hand over Kagome's lips, he huskily whispered into her ear. “Be quiet, they're here. Now just go along with me.” Kagome's eyes widened with fear, she dumbly nodded as Shippo kissed at her ear lobe.

 

 

Kagome shuttered in pleasure and fear, too many terrifying and enjoyable feelings coursing through her body at once, for a moment she felt as if she would faint. Shippo turned Kagome in front of him still shielding her from the men if they happened to look their way once again, but they didn't as they began knocking on Sota's door. Kagome tried to hurry down the steps praying that she did not fall; yet Shippo still had a good hold on her in case she did. The reached the door stepping out thankful to see Sota standing against his car a smile on his face, obviously pleased with himself for fitting the bags in the back seat, his smile faded when he noticed the terror etched on his sisters face.

 

 

Kagome hastily kissed Sota's cheek as Shippo rushed around to the passenger side of the car, getting in as Kagome started the engine. It was then that Sota noticed the black car further off down the side of his building.

 

 

“They are at your door, remember we were never here.” Sota nodded. “I love you.” Kagome pulled away from the curb, glancing back as Sota half waved, a look of worry on his face.

 

 

“I hate to do this to him.” Kagome pushed the car as fast as she dared through the streets, heading back once again to the airport.

 

 

“He'll do fine.” Shippo tried to be reassuring, but the tone in his voice betrayed him. He was still flushed from the brief kiss they shared; he simply hoped Kagome didn't notice the still flush on his face.

 

 

“So where did you learn to kiss like that?” Kagome giggled seeing the flush glow on his face.

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

Sota took in a calming breath and turned entering his building. The two men, both working for Sesshomaru met him on the steps, one dirty blond with his hair tied back and another with dark hair with even darker glasses hiding his eyes towered over him, not simply because he was on a lower step, they both looked way past the six foot mark, and here Sota was a meek five foot nine.

 

 

“Sota Higurashi?” The blond spoke reaching his hand out in a professional gesture to shake Sota's hand, which Sota rudely ignored.

 

 

“Yes, what do you want?” Sota did not want this little interrogation to take place in the stairwell, but he was sure if they went into his apartment that the two would notice that he had recently had guests.

 

 

“We work for Mr. Sesshomaru Chinkara. He wishes to speak with your sister.” The blond withdrew his hand, looking quizzically at Sota.

 

 

“Yea, as you know I work for Sesshomaru as well. What does he want with Kagome? Last I heard she still worked for him as a law assistant, why are you asking me? We haven't seen each other for almost a year, `an the last time I talked to her was New Years day. Just what's going on? Is she in some kind of trouble?” Sota leaned against the stair rail seeming bored with the conversation, even if his heart was beating fast enough to erupt from his chest.

 

 

“We are not at liberty to divulge such information at this time.” The blond reached into his coat pocket withdrawing a card thrusting it at Sota. “If at any time you hear from Mrs. Higurashi please call Mr. Chinkara.” The brute in glasses walked past Sota with out a glance, the blond following.

 

 

Sota had the gut feeling that the two were definitely youkai, looking down at the card Sota gasped. The business card was not the norm; this one contained the direct number to Sesshomaru, Sota rubbed at the stubble on his face, now his concern grew even more deeply. Was Kagome's life in jeopardy? “Just what the hell did you do sis.”

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

The blond looked to his partner as the two made their way to the car. “Well?”

 

 

The glasses came off of brute; his milky blue eyes met the blonde's look. “He was definitely lying, she was here, she is heading back to Heathrow, and she's not alone.”

 

 

The more cordial of the two sat down in the drivers seat flipping open a cell phone that was retrieved from his pocket, pressing the number one key he was nearly instantaneously connected with Sesshomaru.

 

“Yes…yes…we retrieved the phone from Heathrow. No sir…yes…she is with a companion….we'll find them she is heading back to the airport….of course sir, we will find her.” Pressing the end button the blonde started up the car. “Kohaku is following the wolves, they know she is here.”

 

 

----------***----------

 

 

Sesshomaru stepped out of the vacant patient room that had become his impromptu search headquarters, he slipped the cell back into his pocket growling in frustration, Inuyasha had caused such trouble in such a small amount of time, Sesshomaru felt as if he was waging a battle on both fronts, which in reality he was. The wolves wanted Kagome, so he had to find her first, and the anonymous man in the picture was trying to destroy both his brother and sister-in-law, Sesshomaru was certain that that man was the cause of nearly all of his grief.

 

 

Sesshomaru walked to Kikyo's room, not surprised to find the door closed, and the blinds drawn shut, at least there was no screaming…yet. Sesshomaru did not envy what his brother was having to do, but Inuyasha must own what he had done, and if Kikyo kicked him to the curb, so be it. However Sesshomaru would forever protect the woman and her pups, family was everything. Even if his little brother ought to be neutered for his wandering ways.

 

 

Letting out a heavy breath Sesshomaru relaxed against the wall a mere foot from the door, he would be ready to step in if Kikyo became to worked up, the last thing that poor woman needed to do was to injure herself further because his idiot of a brother said the wrong thing.

 

 

“So, I take it Inuyasha is risking life and limb to see her?” Miroku strode up to Sesshomaru, his hands casually in the pockets of his jeans. “Takes nerve to step into the lions den, I couldn't do it.”

 

 

“Yes, you wouldn't, Sango would kill you the moment she found out.” The statement brought a chuckle from Miroku. “Sango at home?”

 

 

“Yea, she's hoping to get some rest. We have a problem Sesshomaru.” Miroku's face went from happiness to utter seriousness in an instant. “We can' keep the authorities at bay anymore, I have to take Inuyasha to give them a statement tomorrow, and they are trying to obtain a search warrant for the condo and his office. Luckily we have a substantial list of judges in our pocket, but what if the fucking detective finds the one judge we don't?”

 

 

“Then we will deal with it as it comes, but Inuyasha will be making no statement to anyone until we find the Higurashi woman. My people have found her in London, she's been there for at least a day and a half, but she's running now. God, we don't need any more shit, but that woman needs to be found, and protecting, the wolves are trying to implicate Inuyasha in her murder, even without a body.” Sesshomaru rubbed at his temples as if his head was pounding, this was all too much, and it seemed it was only going to get worse.