InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Forever a Shadow ❯ Loose Ends Tied Up ( Chapter 28 )

28. Loose Ends Tied Up

 

 

 

Miroku was on final approach back into town spending the past eighteen hours in New York, and on Sesshomaru's private plane. His superior and friend wanted him to find a dead man and so the attorney did just that, but digging up Kikyo's past with this Onigumo fellow turned out to be more disturbing than Miroku would ever have imagined.

 

 

---***---

 

 

Sitting in the dining room of the Four Seasons across from a gray-headed Dr. Edward Warren, in an impeccably tailored hound's-tooth suit Miroku met the clear blue eyes of his guest.

 

 

“I thank you for meeting me at such a inopportune time for you, your wife said you would be flying out to UTMB Galveston later this evening, so I realize your on a time schedule. My employer thanks you for allowing this meeting.” Miroku smiled removing a palm-sized recorder setting it to document their conversation. “Do you mind? It is for MR. Chinkara.” The old doctor shook his head `no' and gulped from his vodka tonic. “I want to know about a patient of yours from well over a decade ago. Do you remember a hanyou going by the name of Onigumo, I understand that is the only name anyone had on him.” The elderly gentleman's face paled at the mention of the name, so much so Miroku could not help but take notice. “So you do in fact remember him?”

 

 

“He was one not easily forgotten. Oh yes, I remember that one all to well. It has never been a secret to my peers, or my interns, my feelings toward their species, yet my distain grew greatly during that creatures injury and abnormal recovery.” Doctor Warren gulped down nearly all of his drink. “I have never met a more devious person since, be they human, youkai, or hanyou, and the wiring was completely twisted up in that ones head.” The renowned physician cleared his throat, and dabbed at his forehead with the linen napkin that resided in his lap. The memory of Onigumo coming to the aged doctors' mind with such ferocity it made the man extremely ill at ease, the alcohol in his stomach souring.

 

 

“Yet you are one of the foremost experts in youkai and hanyou physiology, and you hold them in such distain?” Miroku questioned, the physician locking his eyes on the doctors' making the hypocrite increasingly uncomfortable, Miroku had the tenacity to make any witness in court squirm, now he simply had to mention one name to get the same result from his lunch companion. “It seems you would have been better off in another field of specialty. What was so unnerving about this case?”

 

 

“They may be an abomination against God himself, however no other field pays so well, perhaps in the pharmacological field or cancer research, no, my calling was to try and understand the workings of youkai. I excelled, I have no problem with a moral compass, it is all for the understanding.” The doctor motioned to their waitress pointing at his empty glass; he then turned his attention back to Miroku. “Yes, I excelled, at times at the expense of the patients, but we are not here to discuss that mater. You wanted Onigumo.” The waitress brought the man a new drink, and Doctor Warren sipped at it, his eyes fixating on Miroku's tiny recorder. “Who has he killed this time?”

 

 

“Just what do you mean?” Miroku's voice echoed the deep seeded concern that was blooming in his mind. “He has killed before?”

 

 

Doctor Warren deeply chuckled, as his face paled, the look in his eyes glassing over as he drank deeply from his glass. “That son of a bitch killed every nurse, or first year that came near him when his strength returned. It was all Kikyo Shindo's fault, he fixated on her, became obsessed with her, he stalked her relentlessly, which was quite a feat for someone who couldn't even get out of bed for twenty-two weeks.”

 

 

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

 

 

“Officer Riley.”

 

.

 

Came an unfamiliar voice out of the predawn darkness. The voice calling his name from the sidewalk in the early hours surprised him as the detective in charge of the Chinkara case was slipping into the seat of his unmarked sedan. The unassuming fellow proceeded to walk up his driveway toward him surprising the cop, one thing no man with a badge approved of. Out of reflex Riley's hand slipped into the left side of his blazer, his fingers wrapping themselves around the familiar butt of his gun in anticipation of an ambush from the visitor who seemed to his sleep deprived eyes, simply materialized out of the blackness of the waning night.

 

 

“Stay there if you know what's good for you.” The man paused five feet from his bumper, the fellows face hidden in the shadow of the baseball cap he wore, the merchant marine type trench coat hiding the guys true size and if there were any weapons hidden within. Chills were creeping up Riley's spine, there was something wrong with this guy, and his intuition was causing alarm bells to sound in his head. “It's detective Riley, not officer, an' just what the hell do you want? It's never too bright to approach a policeman's' house unannounced, good way to get yourself shot buddy.”

 

 

The man gruffly laughed. “Buddy…you Americans and your ignorant jargon. I am no buddy of yours I assure you.” There was a slickness in that deep timbered voice causing the fine hairs on the detective's neck to stand on end.

 

 

His hand griped the gun more securely. His eyes glancing up to the still darkened windows of his house, Tanya was still sleeping and wouldn't be getting up for still another two hours. The stranger standing in his driveway unsettled him in a way he rarely felt after fifteen years on the force, his wife and son would be left widow and fatherless, the morbid thought refused to leave his mind.

 

 

“I have no intention of being shot.” The new arrival took three steps closer to the end of the car, removing his hands from the deep pockets of his coat leaving them outstretched and palms open. “What danger could an unarmed man do to you? If you feel threatened pull your weapon, I do not mind.” The man lifted his face only to have dim light from the street lamps barely illuminate his pale features, a shimmer of light moved through this mans eyes reflecting scarlet which unnerved Riley further, and the misplaced grin on the intruders face disarmed him even more, the vision of the serpent in the garden of Eden came to mind.

 

 

“Stop right there or I'll arrest you for trespassing.” Riley wanted to sound stern, yet his voice came out trembling, he felt like a first year rookie, pulling his gun in the line of duty for the first time. “State your purpose or get the hell outta here.” Absently Riley pointed the 9mm at the guys' chest, not even remembering when he removed it from the shoulder holster. “I mean it.”

 

 

“And I'm sure you do.” The condescending tone in the mans' voice pricking at Riley's anger ever so gently. “Where are my manners, you are at a loss, I know you, however you have no idea who I am.” Bowing and removing the cap, his ebon hair coming down like a curtain of darkness. “I am Naraku.” Still bowing Naraku met the widened eyes of the peace officer, his scarlet gaze seemingly to penetrate the mortals' soul. “I could have been your best friend, yet you got in my way, now I have become your worst enemy, it was all up to you, you just stuck your nose in my business, as many would say from five centuries ago I am ruthless, and no one gets in my business and lives to tell of it.” Naraku straightened, shoving the cap in his pocket as well as both hands.

 

 

With either courage, or stupidity, Riley for the moment firmly believing the later, Naraku proceeded to the trunk of the car. Those scarlet colored eyes, a slap in the face of mother nature for sure, finally gave the officer his answer, his interloper was indeed unnatural, an affront to mankind call them demon, or youkai, he didn't like them.

 

 

Riley's forearms stiffened holding the gun still, aimed directly at the creatures' heart. There was a reason the races regulated their own kind. “You have a lot of balls showing up at my residence. You better get to the point right now or I will shoot you and let your kind deal with the rest.”

 

 

Naraku laughed deeply again. “Oh yes, that same old human threat. Cattle should know their place; does a bovine argue its case on the way to the slaughterhouse? No. You pathetic mortals, carrying on with your boasts and threats, the reality being if I wanted you dead, there would be no way in your hell, that you of all meat bags could stop me. I find your bullying very irritating at the least.” Naraku glanced further off down the end of the street were another early riser was getting into their car ready to start the morning commute. “Lower the weapon, you know it's useless.”

 

 

“Yea, well it makes me feel better having it on you. Just what the fuck do you want with me?” Riley backed up finding himself wedged between the door of his car and the seat.

 

 

“What I want? Well that is the question now isn't it? You could say I want what all red blooded Americans want, I want justice to prevail of course.” A depraved smile crept back onto Naraku's lips. “It's just, as I stated before, that you are in the way.” Naraku nonchalantly spoke advancing to the back door of the sedan. “You wish to incarcerate Inuyasha Chinkara.”

 

 

“He's a murderer, he killed his human mistress. That's under my peoples jurisdiction.” Riley went pale at Naraku's advance. “Stay back.”

 

 

“Let me enlighten you… Inuyasha Chinkara is innocent, his so-called mistress is alive, they arrived in town yesterday morning, but you no longer have to worry about any of that. If I did let you take him into custody it would put a wrench in my plans, especially if he is incarcerated by you monkeys, I refuse to let that happen.” Naraku made his move, taking the gun, and landing a painful blow with his elbow into Riley's Adams' apple, breaking the hypoid bone with the upward thrust. “So you no longer interfere, I will let your kind puzzle over your death for a while, looking for a cop killer will be the priority for your precinct.”

 

 

Riley went to his knees, his hands to his damaged throat. “My wife…”

 

 

“Oh her? She has been dead for about ten minutes now, maybe eight for your son.” Naraku took the detective by the head, wrenching his vision upwards so the man could not look away. “While you were drinking your coffee at the kitchen table, I was dispatching your family right under your nose.” Naraku smiled broadly, the dome light of the car seeming to emphasize the fangs in his grin. “You are really no better than your tree dwelling ancestors, and I have no more time to waist on you.” With a quick jerk Naraku snapped Riley's neck, with one arm he brusquely placed the dead man in the drivers seat closing the door on the mans' life once and for all.

 

 

Like a shadow Naraku stalked off down the street disappearing into the shadows, as the sun was making its way on the horizon. Onto the great youkai physician who flew into his awaiting web only last night. Good thing the accomplished doctor still had an enormous ego or he would have never gotten the insolent prick into town.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Kikyo was up and walking, refusing to remain so weak when her family was in danger. Sango was now at her side, determined to make up for her shortcomings somehow, being someone for Kikyo to literally lean on was only a beginning. Rin had been scarce for two days now that she was doting on Kari, Kikyo making damn sure that no one brought the girl up to the hospital for a visit, not to even mention Kikyo had no idea where her child was for the girls own safety. Sesshomaru had Rin and Karisuma put into hiding, for all Kikyo knew the girl was back in Tokyo, maybe even visiting her sister. Kikyo would not allow her longing for her daughter to tug at her until she and the girls were safe, and that would not happen until she saw the corpse of Onigumo with her own eyes.

 

 

“I still can't believe you Kikyo.” Sango muttered giving Kikyo's right hand a squeeze. “You stood your ground with that phony nurse, and she ends up offing herself in Suki's room. It's amazing.”

 

 

“No it's terrifying that Onigumo came so close to my daughter, he is a wicked, vile person, there is no humanity in his heart. Why he did not kill me in my room still makes me wonder, he must have something special planed for me to keep me alive when he was so close.” Kikyo outwardly shuttered. “I can not even begin to imagine.”

 

 

“Then don't.” Sango tried to sound cheerful, as she wrapped her arm around the far to slender shoulders of her friend. “Wow Kikyo your as thin as when you met Inuyasha, think you came up with a new diet, call it the coma method, we'll make millions!”

 

 

“We who? It was my butt in that bed for weeks. It's all mine.” Kikyo lightly laughed as the two proceeded to the elevator.

 

 

The two goons of Sesshomaru waiting at the elevator stopped Kikyo before she pushed the call button. “Mr.Chikara, does not want you off the floor, it is for your own safety mama.”

 

 

“Oh to hell with Sesshomaru! This is a free country and I can go down stairs if I damn well please.” Kikyo huffed standing nose to chest with the broad youkai standing guard before her.

 

 

“Yea, screw Sesshomaru and his rules.” Sango chimed in rallying Kikyo on, a fist in the air to prove her resolve for her friend.

 

 

“I dare you to say that to my face counselor.”

 

 

Sango twirled around to face her boss glaring down at her with that all so haughty look Sesshomaru should have patented. “Um, sir, I just…I just got caught up in the moment.” Sango smirked, bowing to her superior; Kikyo was trying to stifle a laugh from behind Sango's back. “Shut up.” Sango whispered under her breath to chastise her friend.

 

 

“I highly doubt your husband sees this deviant side of your personality.” Sesshomaru had a hard look on his face but his eyes were alight with mischief looking to the thoroughly humiliated Sango.

 

 

Kikyo burst into joyous laughter. “Where do you think she learned this so called deviant behavior? Miroku is no holy man.” The laughing caused Kikyo to swoon, crumpling only to be caught by her brother-in-law a moment before hitting the floor. “Okay, maybe I'll go downstairs tomorrow.”

 

 

Sesshomaru cradled Kikyo in his arms as the elevator door opened.

 

 

“Sesshomaru? Kikyo? What the hell is going on?” An exhausted Inuyasha stepped out into the hall, the puzzled look in his eye caused Kikyo to grin. “What?”

 

 

“Sesshomaru decided to start a harem, he figured it would be better to carry her than drag her off by the hair in the condition she's in.” Sango laughed, the levity lost on both brothers who scowled at one another. Sango read the posturing look stepping back into the wall noticing Sesshomaru's hired guns were advancing behind Inuyasha. “Oh come on you two, the testosterone level is going off the charts.”

 

 

“Mind putting my wife down.” Inuyasha stepped toward Sesshomaru putting a firm hand on his brothers' forearm. “Now.”

 

 

“I wouldn't be here carrying her if you'd been here to catch her.” Sesshomaru let out a low growl, barely audible to the women yet sounding like it came through a PA to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's men.

 

 

“Okay, okay, both of you grow up. There are far to many crises going on for you two to be acting in such a juvenile manner.” Kikyo craned her head to look at Sango. “A wheelchair please Sango.” Sango nodded, and rushed off to find one. “At least someone listens to me.”

 

 

Sesshomaru eased Kikyo to her feet only to have Inuyasha sweep her back up into his arms. “You seem to be feeling better, thank god.” Inuyasha tried to kiss her lips only to have her turn her face the kiss landing on her cheek. “Alright, I know you have every right to be upset with me but…”

 

 

“Upset does not begin to describe the way you made me feel. You abandoned us again Inuyasha. Why the hell did you even come back? Did your little harlot discard as well?” Kikyo hissed her eyes narrowing as she caught Inuyasha's gaze. Kikyo tried to wriggle from his hold, but she was still far to weak to but up much of a fight. “Just put me down Inuyasha and get the hell away from me. You make me sick.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inuyasha huffed, hurrying toward Kikyo's room. He could acutely feel the eyes of his brother drilling into the back of his skull. “Leave me alone Sesshomaru.”

 

 

“We need to talk.” The condescending tone in his brothers' voice was like nails on a chalkboard to Inuyasha. “There are a great many things we must discuss.”

 

 

“Later.” Inuyasha plodded on entering Kikyo's room starting to close the door as Sango appeared around the corner with the now unneeded wheelchair. “No need Sango, but thanks.”

 

 

“Um…sure.” Sango sighed wondering just what was going to happen now.

 

 

“Let me go Inuyasha. Right now! I am not a baby needing to be cuddled.” Kikyo slapped Inuyasha across the face with the force of a kitten. “I hate you Inuyasha!” Kikyo shrieked, as her husband eased her to the bed gently.

 

 

“Alright I hate me too! I love you, I can't live without you, but right now Kikyo I need you to listen, can you do that?” Inuyasha gently took her pale yet anger blushed face tenderly in his hands, softly kissing her parted lips. Kikyo sighed relaxing into the bed beneath her; it seemed like an eternity since he had kissed her with such quiet compassion. “Can you do that for me?”

 

 

“Yes.” Kikyo nodded moving herself on the bed so Inuyasha could sit, it occurred to her those lips had kissed Kagome that way and she felt her anger flare. “Do you kiss your girlfriend like that Inuyasha?”

 

 

The shock on his face was evident, there was nothing for him to say, she knew, and he knew the answer, it would be far too painful to speak it aloud.

 

 

Sesshomaru stood behind Sango who had her ear pressed to the door trying to listen but was having no luck at all with her normal human ears.

 

 

“Pathetic counselor, ease dropping is not admissible.” Sango turned to Sesshomaru and she shushed him. “Not to mention I can hear every word they are saying, and they are not saying a thing, so lets leave them be.”

 

 

Sango moaned rolling her eyes as she walked toward the nurses' station. “You are no fun Sesshomaru.”

 

 

“And you never cease to amaze me with your feminine antics. One would think you were back in high school.” Sesshomaru made his way to his room on the floor, glancing back as Sango rested her folded arms on the tall desk waiting, he guessed for Ayame. “Go home Sango, Miroku I'm sure misses your presence even though he got in early this morning. If anything happens I will let you know.”

 

 

The InuTaisho closed the door pleased to be wrapped in the rooms silence, he could feel the tension of what was coming deep in every fiber and muscle group in his body, these times of blessed peace would be coming to an end and soon. The call had come into him only an hour earlier, the search of Onigumo's house turned up nothing of interest about the wretch, however it did turn up the body of his eviscerated wife lying in the reeking, blood soaked bed where she had lain for at least a week prior. Who was this man and what did he want with his family and what part in this did the wolves all play? With the way his morning was going Sesshomaru hoped in vein when Miroku finally reported in there would be something of use, something to give all of this elaborate manipulation and death some kind of meaning.

 

 

 

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

 

 

The sun was finally rising on the cold morning; Kagome sat bundled in a thick robe on the balcony of the new temporary dwelling Inuyasha had dropped she and Shippo off at. The condo was enormous, yet had a feeling of security, she held onto her morning tea, sitting watching all or the life going on around her, yet she was stalled, frozen in this time. Inuyasha said this would be her home until the baby came; this was his home, two floors up. Kagome tried to imagine the home he and Kikyo had made for their beautiful twins, a pang of jealously moved Kagome; the baby she carried would never have that kind of life with her and Inuyasha, she would be alone. His child would be the only link to him she could hold onto, and even that could be destroyed, somewhere Kouga prowled looking for her, wishing harm to the baby, death stalked alongside Kouga, and Kagome could swear she could feel his animosity heavy in the air. Kagome could not help but cry the helplessness was tearing her down bit by bit, surely there could not be much left of her heart to destroy.

 

 

 

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

 

“Sir I have her location.”

 

 

“So soon, I'm surprised.” Kouga could not help but smile as he sat up in bed, just awakening to the sound of his cell, the sun barely peeking into the room through his heavy drapes.

 

 

“I'm looking at her right now. She's on the balcony drinking something hot. The Chinkara brothers have no idea I've been working with you, surely Sesshomaru would never doubt one of his lieutenants.”

 

 

“Of course not. Where are you?” Kouga smiled inwardly to himself, time to die you little prick.

 

 

 

 

 

A/N: Okay, next chapter, all of the players have gathered, so lets start the game! Please R & R if you have a minute. Thanks Pandora