InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Beneath a Smile ❯ Watching ( Chapter 11 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A/N:

I apologize deeply for the two-year wait, but I, regrettably, have been unable to get near a computer due to some family issues that have all but wrapped up know. I will be continuing this fic as, no doubt, you can see and have actually written up to the nineteenth chapter, all they wait for is my editing. Each chapter will be put at least every other day if not every third day. Again I am deeply sorry for making you all wait like this.

Enjoy the story and Review!!!






Disclaimer: Don’t own ‘em!




Hidden Beneath a Smile

Chapter Eleven: Watching




It has been nearly a week since Sango began carting her charges around the halls of the school, making sure they arrived home safe according to her duties. The girl, she was not so bad, maybe even a little likable. She was always kind to her, not all stuck up, or sleazy as she though the girl would be like due to Miroku’s perverted personality. Sango knew, although she was loath to admit it, that if this Kagome were not the main attraction of Miroku’s affection they would likely be the best of friends after so much time in the other’s company. It was a bit petty of her, but she could not help it.

These unwelcome thoughts were shoved the back of her mind, as she stood from the barstool at the island of her kitchen. She had other responsibilities to attend to rather then mopping about the dramatics currently taking over her life. Light steps, telling of a master at her trade, brought her to the living room were her current results of shopping trips, sat.

A smile lit her face.

One entire love seat filled with bags of things she would have likely used in her younger days, things that she had been deprived of. The couch beside it, one to fit at lest five bodies, also held a fair share of bags. She knew that it was a bit early for this since Thanksgivings Day had yet to pass, however she just could not contain herself. After having received a hundred thousand yen for a job, though it is the least she had ever made, and passing the toy and clothing stores, she could not help it. It was as though she were being pulled by an invisible thread, leading her to the stores, provoking her to spend the entire check on those in her care.

Peeking through all of the bags, she plucked out the warm flannel pajamas she had purchased for all of the children under her care. The nights were getting colder, and they needed something warm to keep them from catching chill in the night. It would not bode well to have any of them getting ill on Christmas as where would the fun in that be?

Gathering up everything into a bag, Sango stood from her crouched position to deliver these goods to the kids residing in her building. Walking over to the entryway that lead from the living into her kitchen, Sango leaned over and pressed a button to the intercom. A nifty invention she had installed after one of the rooms had a small accident that she did not know about until being informed by the police. To avoid such mishaps she had these installed in every room. It had worked so far.

“Hey guys line up outside my door, I’ve gotten something for you all.” She heard a static coursed ‘yes’ and, ‘were coming’ though the speakers. A light smile appearing upon her features, she waited listening as they all fought over whom would stand where. After a few more minutes she pushed, open the door, grinning at all the expectant eyes staring her way. “All right this is for Souten.” She announced, handing her the crayon print, the girl's eyes sparkled, as her eyes looked them over. “This one is for Shiori.” It was a multi-rainbow cloud print; she took them with a small smile examining over the outfit much like Souten had. “This one goes to Sotaru.” Nearly a half an hour later left her with an empty bag and smiling chattering faces. It made her feel wonderful, and giddy, they always made her feel that way, especially after a terrible day at school or a mission.

She heard the steps of her guest long before she saw the man round the corner of the hall, she stood from her crouched position, poised and ready to attack if need be. Sango knew that it was not necessary to assume such a stance with this man, and yet if he made one slip of the tongue in the presence of her charges she would send him sailing down the staircase. It is not like it would hurt him, as it seemed nothing else she threw at the perverted houshi seemed to faze him in the slightest. Better safe then sorry. "Why don't you guys go try them on and see if they fit." She took a brief moment to watch as they scrambled towards their rooms the incessant gibbering dying down to a mere whisper as they disappeared. "If I'm needed for a job why didn't you call me?" She queried, Sango, if she could help it, did not want these young lives to get mixed up in her situation for they could very well be lost in this battle. "And if you wanted to see me for some unknown reason, you should have called, you know I don't want them anywhere near this side of my life." She hissed, eyes narrowing.

Miroku held up his hand before him in a pacifying manner. "You wouldn’t have taken my call." He defended, and though they both knew it to be true, she did not consent to his excuse. The monk sighed in defeat, moving to lean against the nearest wall while he looked Sango up and down holding back the urge to smile ever so slightly. She had grown up a lot since he first dragged her from that orphanage and his heart twanged with the thought as well. While she was not, without knowledge of the world's cruelties, he had further stolen her innocence by entering her into this society of coalitionist. He took innocent hands and placed with in them a weapon, turned her to an existence of killing. While he was not the one whom taught her the art, he might as well have for he had been the one to deliver her to such a fate by finding the information of her past, by hunting her down. His thoughts sobered up from his normal facade and brought to him a somberness that was a usual mien for him to bear, just not with her. "I want to thank for watching out for her, Kagome and Souta." He swallowed. "I know that they can take care of themselves," he whispered more to himself then to Sango, "but it helps to know that you have their backs."

Nodding her understanding, keeping the jealous thoughts at bay, Sango ventured. "Is that all you came to say, or is there more?" While it was nice to have his gratitude, it wasn't such a great feeling knowing as she did that the woman she protected -the reason for his approbation- was the girl he was likely in love with. She hopped that there was more. The first time in years he had made an appearance at the place she lived instead of leaving a message for them to meet somewhere and it was all for this? She dearly hoped not.

"I have to meet with Inuyasha in a bit," he said despairingly, "but I was hopping to discuss a small matter with you that I'd hoped for you to keep in close confidence. Meaning it does not leave this room." Miroku clarified, following Sango as she motioned him to enter her home. He trailed her steeps, taking a seat at the barstool before the kitchen's island just as she, herself had done. She said nothing, waiting for him to begin and he remained silent looking for the best way to go about this. He needed to tell someone and wanted it to be Sango, she was the one whom stood over two of his most precious treasures. He needed to know that she understood the importance of the mission he had bestowed upon her, but he knew that there was a greater reason behind it all. Even if only subconsciously.

"Are you going to tell me what you came to say, Houshi," she complained with a half laughing half-annoyed tone. Her cinnamon colored pools implored into his own, he could see the many questions passing through their depths the longer he stayed motionless, speechless. "Or is that you plan on staring at me all day?" She tried to smile, but she could not do a good job of it with that uncharacteristically somber look to his face, and thus her lips slowly slide back into a frown. "Houshi?"

"I'm not really a monk you know." He stated finally, almost absentmindedly. This conversation, if he were to have it, was not the easiest to begin. Turning in his seat, Miroku rested his elbows upon the counter top, his head resting in his hands as he stared down at the patterns in the marble color. "Some of us entered into this society on the darker side in order to find some type of revenge against the men, the man that took away our loved ones from us, ending their lives short." He began in a subdued tone, eyes remaining where they were. "All of us have at lest one relative, one friend, one person that we do not want involved in our vendetta, involved in our way of life." He paused a moment to collect his thoughts, taking in deep breaths. Was he really doing the right thing in confiding this to her, when he could not even do the same for Inuyasha; a friend, a confidante, which he had known much longer? He knew that he could trust Sango to not say a thing, but the hanyou was another story. He trusted his partner with his life, but he was also second in command to the Don, and with that came the obligation of informing Sesshoumaru of anything that may present itself in their goal as useful. He was as well tightly held under that obligation, since he was third in command, but he also knew that he could sacrifice his life to the ire of his boss if it meant keeping his remaining family intact.

"Miroku, I don't understand really what your trying to tell me?"

"Then listen to everything before you try to make sense of it." Miroku chided gently. "I have two such persons that I wish to keep from ever knowing this life, and yet it would seem as though fate works against me. Not only was I forced into brining them into a members home, but I was also forced into telling Sesshoumaru they may have been witnesses to something that they are likely not in order to have protection for them. I lied to the Don, Sango, and I'll likely be killed for it... unless some type of mercy strikes him in that instant and I don't really care as long as they are safe when it is all over." Admitting some of this felt good, it felt as though a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders, leaving him to feel freer some how.

"It's about that girl and her brother, isn't it?" Sango queried solemnly.

"Yes." Miroku replied faintly.

"Why Miroku!?" She asked frantically, stunning the monk. She rarely, if ever, used his actual name when speaking to him. "Why would you risk something such as your life for them!?" Her voice trembled, causing the monk to wince. "Why are they so important for you do this? Don't you understand that-" Sango cut herself off, the thumping muscle in her chest squeezing at such a painful force. "You are such an idiot." She scolded fondly, voice cracking. She would not cry, she would not! She knew the truth to Miroku's words; She had seen for herself Sesshoumaru kill a man for less. The monk was a real baka!

"You need to understand Sango, they are just not anyone... Kagome and Souta are my family." Miroku delineated, with such a dour tone, his face marked with such a stolid expression she had no other choice but to take him literally in this. "They're the only ones I've got left and I don't want to loose them just yet... I'm their big brother, their aniki and even if it is not in my power I have to do anything I can to protect them, even if the end result is my death." He spoke his words soft, calming and without the slightest hesitation. Miroku swallowed hard, now that it was out, what would she do with this information? His heart pounded in trepidation, he knew that he could trust her, but even the strongest of warriors fall under the pressure; and, when he wanted to be, Sesshoumaru was the largest of all pressures. His heart beat faster at that. "You can not tell anyone about this Sango, it is of utmost importance that you do not speak of this to anyone outside of myself. That is if you feel the need to. My brother and sister could be in danger if you do.” His voice shook with emotion as he made the entirety to her. "Promise me that you won't, Sango." His words, a mere whispered plea.

The assassin was in a bit of a shock to say the least. The two that she was to guard, to protect by his order were his siblings. A little boy that was growing on her, and a girl that - and now the thought made her blush while turning green- she would easily become friends with if only she did not hold Miroku's affection, his love. Only now could she see that their love was not that of a man and woman, but of a brother and sister. It made sense then, that he would not touch her as he did with other women, that he would behave in her presence. It was obvious, at least now, and she was a bit ashamed her thoughts were running in this direction, but she now, hopefully, had a chance at him.

Tossing the thoughts to the furthest reaches of her mind, she decided to bring them back for later contemplation. How difficult that it must be for him, to carry this burden in the life that they lead. To see Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha, both, knowing that he was keeping such a secret from them; going behind their backs and taking such risky precautions to make sure the knowledge he was aware of would never make it to their ears. She prayed, silently, that both of the Shikaku brothers showed mercy to her savior. "You have my word, I won't say anything, in fact I don't believe you told me anything at all."

Miroku smile, if only slightly, and it warmed Sango's heart to see. "Thank you,” he returned, bowing his head gratefully.

"No need." She brushed off, jumping from the stool and turning her back to him in order to hide her glowing cheeks from his sight. They stood like that in silence for a long while, before she turned on her heal to face him. "You hungry, I know that I am and I could make something up real quick." She ventured, tilting her head in the direction of the pantry. She would make instant ramen, it would be quick, and she would not have to show off her terrible cooking skills. Living at an orphanage for the majority of ones life didn't really give one a chance at honing that skill, though she had to admit, she could put together a decent meal when she put her heart into it.

"I would not want to impose upon you, and besides that I must meet Inuyasha in a an hour or so, I believe he said, for I have put off this eventual talk long enough." It was true; he had been giving him the run around. Telling his hanyou partner, he would be at one place while he was truly at another. He dreaded this eventual conversation for more then likely the truth would come out, and he was not entirely sure he would be able to keep his siblings without knowledge of his hidden self.

"If you were imposing upon me, as you say, then I'd have kicked you out the door a long time ago, houshi." Sango declared as she poured water into a pot, setting it upon the burner and wait for it to come to a boil. Moving with a warrior's grace, she glided across the floor. "So what do you say? Will you join me for a meal?" She paused in mid reach for two cups of ramen, sparring him a questioning glance.

Miroku hid a grimace at the sight of the instant ramen, a delicacy in Inuyasha's opinion, a tragedy in his own. Though he might not have held to such a harsh sentiment if the hanyou had not forced him to eat the meal for all three times of day where one would dine on the occasions that they bunked together for one reason or another. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt to stay a while longer." He would hold to his silence as not to offend her, for he was already likely to be on her least favorite person list; if she even had one. Not only that, he really was not in any hurry to see Inuyasha although he should tough it out and get over this.

Sparing the monk a small smile, Sango said. "Good."

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One week had past since the entire ordeal in which she was moved from her home to another, in which she lost two more members of her family. The time she spent in her room with the music blaring so that her brother and newest little roommate would not be privy to the tears she constantly shed for them, dwindled slightly, but did not stop. Souta’s frequent visits to her room on the other hand had not lessened at all, and with her little brother came Shippo for he could not sleep after Souta awoke screaming from a twisted tale of the truth. A nightmare, if you will, portraying the events of that faithful night where their lives had changed. Now weather that is for the better or worse had yet to be decided, but it was currently leaning more towards the latter.

While her week had been pleasant, she was never able to shove the knowledge of that fateful day to the furthest recesses of her mind. It was always there, lurking beneath the surface of other thoughts, of other words as they were spoken. It was this, that kept a true smile from her face, and it was this reason she had to be stronger then before. Strong enough to hold up her brother when he fell in to despair; allowing him to have a steady rock to grieve upon. Never faltering in a brave front so that her little brother had hoped to find solace in her warm embrace and not the abundant sadness ragging a storm inside her heart.

A slight smile filtered across her lips, through all the bad that has happened recently, there were a many good that had occurred, moments, things, actions that she would likely not trade for the world. Never had she seen innocence quite like Shippo’s, and such a curious child he was; always questioning everything he did not have a ready answer to. He held such a way about him that Kagome could hardly help but to indulge his every want. If the child did not get her aniki to spoil him rotten, he would surely have her to do it. Even Souta seemed helpless to the child’s charm, playing any and every game Shippo wanted a thousand times over until the youngster got tired of playing. She was grateful to the child as well, it was his playful nature that allowed them to leave their depressions long enough to laugh.

Not only did they have the bright-eyed child to keep them company, but also Miroku’s friend Sango. Kagome had a slight suspicion they both hopped for something more to blossom between them, but were to dense to realize that same want existed in the deepest desires of the other’s heart. Things always were much more interesting when the two of them were around, not one or the other. With Miroku’s die hard habit, and Sango’s punishment they never lacked for entertainment. Kagome honestly believed that the girl would make a wonderful girlfriend for her brother, the only problem with that was Sango thought Miroku and herself were already romantically involved even if they would deny it with such heart. She thought they were in denial, and Kagome could not really fault her for such a thought. If she were in the girl’s shoes, Kagome might have run down the same misguided idea.

Turning restlessly from where she lay sprawled about upon the couch, Kagome shot a glance at the clock above the fireplace before returning her vision once more to sightlessly rest upon the television. She had not a clue as to what aired right then, too deep in her thoughts. Shippo and her brother were in the room they now shared engrossed in one of the playing systems that her brother owned and thus the two could offer her no amusement. Not that it would help much, so in to her own musings as she was.

Pushing weakly up from the couch, she rolled off on to the floor, standing, her eyes taking in a brief scan of the place. Although she had been a resident of the penthouse a week, she had not fully viewed every room, being so wrapped up in the many events that followed that one night. She would do so now, it would keep her busy and she would be a lot less board then she was at the current moment.

She could not really call it an exploration as she already had a destination in mind. Kagome only hoped that her masterfully exercising the use of the room did not merit a good enough reason for her to be in trouble. Such a room was not meant-to-be messed around in without the proper permission of the owner, but she was currently that owner so technically…

Kagome tossed the thought aside before she convinced herself not to follow through, her feet lightly prattling across the family room to carry her down a hall and towards an iron cast door. She had thought it odd when she first had noticed it, being the only one of it’s kind and thus took a peek to find something that held her utmost interest. Regretfully she did not explore it and had turned away from such a great find to tend to things that needed her most. Yet, now, she had the time to waste hours, to lose herself in a series of movements that needed no thought to execute.

Her hands lightly pushed the door open, her eyes blinking a couple of times to adjust to the much darker room. Kagome ran fingers along the wall closet to the exit in order to find the light-switch. Once found she flipped it, only to receive such a limited amount of light that her deep browns could hardly make out the myriad of weapons that lined the back walls from top to bottom. Quickly, she made her way across the room, excitement filling her, as she ran bare hands down the hilts of short swords, long swords, daggers and so much more.

Eyes catching a Katana of interest, Kagome gently lifted it from its resting-place to further view it’s attributes. Nearly more then half her height, the blade was narrow, made for swift movements and the edge was honed to such a degree that Kagome did not doubt if it could cut through the human bone. That startled her, but quickly placed it from her mind trusting her brother fully. She knew that Miroku would not place in her harms way. There was a legitimate reason for such weapons that found housing here, and it was not important enough to mention elsewise her brother would have done just that.

Fixing her grip upon the hilt of her chosen weapon, Kagome assumed a stance drilled into her fiercely by Miroku that it was like second nature to partake. Her brother had always been adamant on the ideal that she should be able to defend herself better then his own abilities would be capable of. While Miroku said that she could, Kagome did not believe herself to be a greater protector for her person then her brother. He was always there for her, always having her back in any bump that came up in her road of life. She would forever be grateful to him for that.

Lids fell shut, as her breathing evened out; behind closed eyes, she formed a picture. A brightly, burning flame. To it, she fed all of the thoughts that plagued her mind in that one moment, all of the emotions she felt in that instant until this imagined fire roared to such a soaring life on its fuel. Her body became lax, though if one tried to unarm her they would find it to be like trying to pull a welded pipe from another. This practice could also be attributed to her brothers teaching. He claimed that so many thoughts on a fighters mind causes a loss in focus, and so many emotions causes one to be an open book for ones opponent to read at his own will.

“Don’t not be stiff with your opponent,” Miroku would always chastise, “move with him. Your stature does not allow you the force most of your adversaries will rely on and so you will not be able to counteract their movements that way. You must accommodate their force with a loose body.”

“Eh?” Kagome then had shot her brother confused look.

“Think about it like this,” he answered back gently, “in a pool when you move around lightly you glide through the water without so much trouble, but when force is applied, it is like trudging through wet glue. That is what you must be like, your body needs to be the pool of water and you're opponent is the one going for a swim.” Then, in warning, he said. “Though you shouldn’t rely on this too heavily as there is always someone whom could break through this, and that is where your speed and shrewdness of mind come in.”

Kagome remembered every lesson taught to her by Miroku, and usually practiced her katas daily, but as of late she had not the chance to do so. Taking in a deep breath, keeping a blank mind as she fed everything into that one single flame, Kagome moved. Her start swift, but exaggerated, as she fell into a series in one of many her brother had shown her, her every muscle, every joint relaxed. She flowed like water, keeping her mind focused, as she remained with that picture in her head to help execute the action with less difficulty.

After an hour of katas, Kagome fell back into stance, her katana out before her; breathe barely uneven from her exertions. Now, she would shadow spar, which meant that she would be fighting a non-existent opponent. Another practice her brother was adamant in her taking part in. She would use her own ryu, a series of techniques taken and slightly modified, to fit her, from other sword styles. She mostly preferred Battoujitsu, for its techniques require a speedy execution, something in which she excelled at. Her second preference is any jitsu that required the use of Krodachi.

Kagome moved into position, bowing to her head towards her apparition of an opponent. During all of this, her eyes remained shut. This stance, different from the one before it, as she held the blade at a downward angle, one handily. This allowed her to block an oncoming attack with a sweeping upward motion. Such a poised position was only used in cases of a charging opponent; her nihility would be doing just that. Stepping one foot forward, she arched her blade up to meet the opponents head on, breaking backwards as what would occur in such a stand off.

In her mind's eye she saw the apparition step back as she, before starting onward tacking a swing for her kneecaps. Kagome jumped to avoid such a move, bringing her katana’s edge down toward the shoulder. Behind her closed lids, she pictured her shadow of an opponent skillfully sidestepping such an attack swinging it’s sword around to further stop the descent of her blade.

A slight smile formed at the edge of her lips, if only this battle was real, as then it would truly be on of her greatest fights. If only she had such a skilled fighter as this, well besides her brother whom unconsciously always went easy on her in their spars, then she truly could test out her skill.
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One whole week had gone by since the day he specifically told his fool of partner they would have a talk. That they needed to have a talk and nothing he could do or say would change such a fact. They still needed to have it, they were supposed to meet a couple of times every day this week and yet Miroku conveniently always found himself stationed somewhere else. His most frequent used excuse being that he had forgotten the exact time they were to meet and found himself held up with assignments given to him by Sesshoumaru. Assignments until today that is, he had thought were required of the monk to handle. Apparently, that was not the case on account of his bastard of a partner specifically asking his brother if he could handle these supposed errands that were assigned to him.

Before he sat that fool down and had his say, he would kill the damned monk.

Not that he did not mind running around the city, speeds unreachable to the human body; he was not out of shape. He loved the feel of the wind passing through his white mane of hair, feeling the air brush his skin in passing as he defied human law, as he passed by human passerby’s without so much as a glance in his direction. He moved too quickly to be perceived by the human eye. What he didn’t love about his current situation would be that he was being forced into running all over creation to find his partner whom was steadily ticking him off with this constant run-around.

He would tie the monk down closing off all exits leaving the idiot no room for escape, have his say and then kill him.

That sounded like a plan. He had one place left to search, one place that he had avoided going towards. Inuyasha did not really feel like brining neither too much attention to his penthouse, nor the ones occupying his once home. He never knew when someone would decide to start tailing him, it being a heavy occurrence from both his brother and the enemy. If his brother found out what he had been doing there would be hell to pay, and if an enemy thought there to be something of great importance hidden away, there were no telling what lengths, they would go to find out and obtain it. Inuyasha had no wish to ever view these lengths.

While he housed no care or connection to those claiming shelter within his penthouse -other then Shippo-, he did have deep feelings of friendship towards the monk. Miroku would be more then a little upset, he assumed from the displays he had seen of his friend, if he were to drag unnecessary and unsafe attention to those two. He still indented to find out why, but as of now he would put that on hold, or at least until he got his answers for this other act of the monk's that left him baffled. What was the purpose in hiding his information like that? Actually, he had an idea; he would be an even greater fool then what is claimed of him, if he did not. This strange behavior began around the time those two mysterious siblings fell into their laps because of an attack by 'him.' Information started disappearing, the monk's scent became distorted, and Miroku seemed to be willing to throw his life away in order to find suitable protection for these siblings. A pair that he had never heard about spoken from his friends lips until later in that night. Miroku had been always a bit closed off when it came to his past, letting only some things slip through despite his act of openness and innocence he would have every one believe.

That girl and her brother were definitely more to the monk then children of a friend to his father, that much was obvious. The monk broadcasted these truths world wide in every action he took concerning them, in every look, as he watch their action when he thought to be unobserved.

Pushing past the double doors ignoring the door attendant's polite hello, Inuyasha took to the stairs he had long since placed the concealment spell upon himself. He had been careful in how he chose to get to his current location, but you could never be too careful in a situation like this. Taking the elevator would have only allowed his trailers -if one managed to get passed his more advanced senses- to see the exact floor he had gotten off on and thus narrowing down the possible places he could have visited. Their enemy, thus far, seemed not to be one to take unnecessary risks and therefore he doubted if they would mess with a building full of innocents. Still he would not take needles actions that would give 'them' an excuse to try anything.

His speed assured him that he made it to the twenty-fourth floor with little to no effort at all, walking out into the small hall with only two doors, both leading into his penthouse. He chose the closet to his location to enter, the one that lead into the kitchen area hopping Miroku was there and praying those whom stayed there were not present now. However, he knew the likely hood of that happening.

Inuyasha's eyes looked around his kitchen area, taking in the sight as well as searching out his partner. He was surprised to see that everything was as he had last left it. The girl had not change a thing, had not added her own touch. From his experience -he was not a Miroku, but he had been known to have a nice girl on his arm more often then naught- with women, Inuyasha had found that within the first few days of introducing one to your home it was remade into the girl's own fashion. It was then that you let the girl go, as once they have interfered with your style, to add their own, it meant that the relationship was getting entirely too serious. Most waited for the time their girlfriend spoke of marriage or perhaps children, he was done the moment the girl added change to his life.

He only went into a relationship for a good time and not a commitment. He did not have problems with the word as many led themselves to believe, but more along the lines of the meaning towards it. A committed relationship lead to marriage, a factor only able to take place if the partner was able to... to love. An emotion he was incapable of producing for more then few people. His family, and then his second family which consisted of Rin, her mother and her grandfather. The last sent a pang through his heart as the knowledge of his passing filtered across his mind, another that did not persecute his heritage, that genuinely cared, left him for the other-side; the afterlife.

Love could not exist for him; it was a nihilistic promise that could only occur for him in dreams. The love of a man and woman, both ready to spend their lives together. Not in his world of betrayal, lies, and violence, and most certainly not for a half-breed. His acceptance into the youkai world was only by the force of Sesshoumaru's will, a youkai that not even those of whom thought themselves most fierce would dare to cross. A human would run in terror if he were to ever reveal himself, and if by some chance they weren't, would be disgusted to learn he was of both species.

Tossing the musings from his mind, Inuyasha turned from the kitchen and into the living room so that he would be able to make it down the hall towards the bedrooms. He froze still, dog-ears that were hidden by spell twitching upon his head. While he could hear the excited yammering of both Shippo and that other boy playing what sounded to his ears a video game, there was also the faint hiss of a blade being drawn from it's protective sheath. That was what brought worry into his heart.

Turning on his heal, Inuyasha bolted straight for the source of the sound coming to a slow walk as he neared his weapons room as not to alert any such enemy snooping around behind his once locked doors. Miroku knew how much he stressed on none but himself handling his own weapons, not wanting foreign hands to destroy his prized picks; weapons he had forged by hand instead of machine. Weapons made by the great Toutousai. To have one of his swords in your possession meant for you to be very affluent, in others words his weapons cost a mere fortune to purchase. That was why he had Miroku personally lock the room up tight before allowing those siblings to house themselves in his penthouse.

Carefully poised steps brought him to the door in which was already slightly ajar, so focused on his task he didn't pay any mind to a familiar scent that hung heavily in the air around him. That is until his amber orbs searched out his quarry through the slit; his eyes widened at the sight before him, several thoughts bombarding him at once.

The girl Miroku so fiercely protected stood in the center of his miniature dojo, two of his Krodachi skillfully held with in her petite hands as she moved artfully against an opponent that only she could perceive. Her movements were precise and swift, using a jitsu that seemed to be made up of quickly executed techniques from others along with a mixture of defensive moves. As she agilely danced an ancient dance rarely seen in the era any longer, Inuyasha noticed that she favored her right more than her left and his eyes widened slightly as realization hit home, and hard. The picture he had seen of the murdered man at the shrine appeared in his mind's eye as a long awaited answer was given to him. A right-handed person, ruling out Miroku seeing as he was left-handed, made the downward slash upon the man's neck. He had first thought to rule out the girl as well due to her small stature, but it seemed he was wrong to do so. 'Never judge a book by its cover,' a saying Rin loved to remind him of when he tried to convince her Sesshoumaru was a heartless gaki; course he knew that his actual feelings were covered up by that heartless exterior, he just liked to rile up Rin. It was amusing to see how vivacious she could get when someone badmouthed either he or Sesshoumaru.

Inuyasha took a deep breath as he realized Miroku lied to him once more; did his partner really distrust him that much? That he would hide such a valuable piece of information as this. If "he" were to ever find out that it were her whom murdered his attack dogs, the girl would have a hit out on her before she could even take her next breath. The only clue in this long time fought war would be eliminated, that is if the girl really was a clue. The hanyou found himself questioning his 'friends' trustfulness, having already spewed one lie to protect her, who is to say that her knowledge of something that could possible help them, was not a lie as well? One week and Sesshoumaru still doesn't know about her, at lest not in the way that she'd be of help to them. Inuyasha did not like what this situation was making him feel, and thus pushed it aside as he took his next actions.

Pushing the door open lightly, he called out in the room startling her so much that she dropped his Krodachi from her slender hands, jumping back before the blades could impale her feet. "You really shouldn't mess with someone's sword, they could get testy enough to use it on you." He smirk at her reaction to the suddenness of his voice slicing through the once silence of the room. "You really should keep a better handle on your weapon, how will you fair in a fight if you drop it before it even begins?" His tone mocking, as he took delight in the anger that flashed across her big brown eyes for a moment.

Kagome, her brown eyes never leaving his form, bent and slowly retrieved her borrowed weapons before taking a step back to ensure the distance between them. This would be her first time alone with this stranger without her brother anywhere near. She did not know this man and though her brother seemed to, Kagome was unsure of how far she could but her faith in him not to harm her. Miroku, from their talk on the second day of living as orphans, adamantly warned her not to get involved with him, going as far as ordering her to not even remember his name. Never had she seen her brother so fierce on a matter before; it had her edgy of this Inuyasha's presence without her brother there along with him. A scowl appeared upon her face, and before she could stop her words, she growled. "I can handle myself just fine, thank you very much you jerk!" Kagome did not appreciate his insult, but his aura shined of violence and something unreadable... maybe she should not have opened her mouth...

Inuyasha frowned, not liking the scent of fear permeating her scent. On the job, he thrived off that scent coming from his prey, but off he despised it, especially in those of women and children. He was not used to having one fear him in his human guise, though, since he never went on the job in it. Only when he performed normal errands, such as shopping, paying the bills and instances like this when confronting a human not involved in the mob or one that did not know of youkai existence. "I don't doubt it." Inuyasha amended, adding. "I could see it in the way you moved a little while ago, before I interrupted."

A horrified look transformed her visage as she looked up at him through wide eyes. "You were watching me!" She squeaked. Kagome despised anyone watching her, besides Miroku and maybe Souta, as she went through the motions of her practice. It always left her terribly embarrassed, as though she had held out her diary -if she kept one- out for him to read only for his eyes to wonder over paragraphs that were most personal to her heart. Like baring her soul. Everyone of her thoughts, her inner most feelings, were laid bare as she moved through her katas.

Hiding a smile at the red that tinted her cheeks, Inuyasha softened his normal manner -not wanting to scare her even more- as he asked. "Is Miroku here, and if he's not were is he?" It was difficult to hold back all of the frustration and anger he felt towards his collaborate over the run a round he been receiving every time he tried to talk to the man. He had thought, at first, that he had made a mistake in not surpassing it all but her words set aside his fears.

"He's not here," she began unsure of exactly how to answer him. Miroku had warned her not to get involved with this man in any way, shape, or form and yet she couldn't help but offer the guy a meal. Even if this 'Inuyasha' had violence coloring, his aura there was something else about the silver hared man that stayed her hand from following Miroku's order. "Stay and eat, he'll be back to check on us latter in the evening, you could catch him then." Perhaps it was the way in which the child, Shippo spoke of him, as though he was a savior on a white horse or maybe... she did not know. There was just something in they way he held himself, the look of him that forced her to ignore her brother's words.

Inuyasha couldn't help the look of surprise that he was sure filtered across his face at her offer, not use to such generosity from people other then those he consider family. He was hungry, he had to admit, and after traversing the entire city looking for his baka partner, he had worked up quite an appetite. Finally, after no more then a second's consideration, he nodded. "Yeah, why not, what you eating?" He looked on curiously as thoughtful frown crossed the girl's features. Entirely to trusting, letting a stranger eat in her house along with her brother and Shippo, he concluded. She was naive.

"I don't know." She shrugged sheepishly, "it'll come to me once I get to the kitchen." Knelling, she carefully sheathed the Krodachi, lovingly caressing the sheath before placing it back upon its stand. Her favorite weapon. She turned to see Inuyasha staring at her thoughtfully, forcing herself not to blush, Kagome walked past him to the kitchen and leaving him to follow at his own will.

Catching up to the raven-hared girl, Inuyasha watched as she milled about his kitchen like an expert. It was as though it was her own kitchen, how well she moved within it finding everything without having to check twice. Taking a seat on a barstool at the kitchen's island, Inuyasha drummed his disguised claws against the countertop. "You're right handed." He remarked, as though absentmindedly. Inuyasha wanted to make sure his eyes had seen right, before he came to conclusions. Jumping like that could get you killed faster than standing still as a man shot you with a handgun.

"Yeah. What does it matter?" She replied to his question, asking one of her own as she filled a pot she had gotten from under the oven with water. She was going to make spaghetti; it was both hers and Souta's favorite foreign food.

"No reason."

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One whole week he had stood vigilance over the comings and goings of the apartment complex across the street from his own building. The structure of his temporary residence stood stationed at the near top, allowing him to watch when a silhouette and sometimes an actual image passed the window of the penthouse atop the complex. Through careful investigation, he had found that was, where his query resided.

Though it were rather boring to sit and stare out a window all day with a pair of binoculars in his grizzled hands, the visitors of this unknown specimen of his study had were quite interesting. He often found himself questioning the importance of the two that he watched by the frequency in which they had these little visits. Miroku Higurashi, presumed to be that mob bosses second in command found himself there every morning at a approximately seven-thirty and every night around eight. He had first thought they were more then acquaintances, but the son of the traitor never stayed the night, or long enough to complete the act for that matter. Unless of course he was swift about it, the thought brought a harsh chuckle from his throat.

A few minute intervals between the time Miroku Higurashi left and eight A.M. a one Sango Tajiya escorted the girl and boy to school. Surreptitious digging found him the names of his mystery assignments, along with the whereabouts of this school Sango Tajiya brought them to every week day morning. A guarded secret they never let out into the open, despite her innocence of being a pretentious schoolgirl, the agency knew of her secondary life in the shadows of the night.

Such curiosity this case brought to him just why exactly did the two-need protection from such a world-renowned assassin as herself? He continued to observe the uneventful entrance and windows, before dropping the binoculars to the ground with a clatter in his shock. Large sausage like fingers moved to grip around the cell in his coat pocket, hitting the speed dial button before bringing it up to his ears. It rang for all of two seconds before a voice made itself known over the earpiece. "What is it?" A surly old tone commanded over the line. A sure sign that he was not quite in the mood for nonsense. The news he had to tell would make him smile and giggle with glee, he thought.

"It would seem that the second fish has come up from his ocean." He replied smugly, as though he were responsible for its happening.

"What the in a seven hells are you talking about?" Came the confused voice, an irritated edge to it that cut through his mind better then any knife. This man was not someone you wanted to annoy, and, better yet anger. Beings have disappeared without a trace after having crossed him on some of his better days in one fashion or another. "I told you to watch those brats, not fish you moron!"

Laughing nervously, he replied to his boss's words. "I meant, Sesshoumaru Shikaku's brother seems to have an interest with these two. He's just entered the building, and with my equipment," the binoculars, "I was able to see what looked to be him passing by a window." Currently he was watching the window now, waiting to see if he might catch a better look.

There was a contemplative silence over the line; breath heavy in his ear as he waited for his answer. "Does he now." The old man breathed a statement more than a question. "As much as I am curious to know why they're so interested in children, I can't let this opportunity pass me by. You know what to do." The line went dead.

A grim smile took up residence upon his face as he stared at the telephone. It was times like these that he regreted his decision in joining this cause, but then again, the power he would receive from it was a compelling motivation even if a few innocents disappeared every now and then. Pocketing his cell, he placed down the binoculars and stood to take care of his newest assignment.



A/N:

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