InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Identities ❯ Exacerbating Situations ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the assorted, characters or plots.

Acknowledgements: Many thanks as always to my beta Fenikkusuken, and congratulations on finishing The Price!

Kudos to: Snowfall for working out what would happen next...

 

*

 

“Wake up, Sleepyhead!” Yuka's cheerful voice pulled Kagome out of her latest bout of fragmented sleep.

 

“Good morning,” she muttered in response, cracking opening her eyes to Yuka's smile, her back aching slightly from the hard sofa.

 

“I've made breakfast….” The geography student's face fell at Kagome's tired expression. “What's up?”

 

“I didn't sleep well… I kept waking up with bad dreams after dawn. Not about Kagewaki,” she added hastily as Yuka's face turned sympathetic, “but about injuries on patients I couldn't treat. There was one… a burns victim…just covered head to foot in bandages….” Kagome's voice trailed off before she rubbed her forehead tiredly.

 

“They say dreams are your subconscious trying to tell you something,” Yuka suggested.

 

“Like what?”

 

The girl shrugged. “I have no idea. Maybe it's a metaphor about not keeping the truth under wraps… or bandages?”

 

Kagome played with the pendant around her neck as she tried to remember the dream in more detail. We were in a small, dark room. No… it was a cave. The patient… he reeked of evil. His eyes were all over me…. Kagome made a soft noise as a few details slotted into place. It was just like Kagewaki! He called me Priestess, too, and he wanted something, exactly like the Professor! Maybe it's a reflection of how I see Kagewaki: he and the patient seem to be one and the same. Kagome frowned. I was wearing those robes from the other dreams again, too. I wonder what the significance of that is?

 

Yuka broke into her thoughts. “Why don't we have breakfast? You can grab a shower because Eri's coming back over. I don't think any of us are in the mood to study right now, and she mentioned about going to a museum….”

 

“A museum could be a nice change,” Kagome answered. At Yuka's surprised look, the young woman added with a wry smile, “I seem to have developed a very personal interest in history lately.”

 

*

 

Before the trio left the house, Kagome took off the present from her Grandfather that had brought her so much unwelcome attention. Sliding the necklace into a secure pocket on the borrowed skirt, she mentally thanked Yuka for the change of clothes. It may be just a pendant, but I'm feeling spooked enough right now to do anything to make myself feel better!

 

*

 

It was lunchtime, and the three girls were in the standing in the steampunk-esque Main Hall of the Ghibli Museum. A robot moved slowly in time with an intricate light show, whilst a number of short animations flickered on screens behind the electronic performer.

 

“What do you think?” Eri asked in admiration.

 

“When you said a museum, I wasn't expecting this,” Kagome replied, amused. “I was expecting swords, jewellery, paintings….” Mythical items she added silently. “How did you manage to get last minute tickets for the Ghibli Museum anyway? Especially a morning slot? I thought they were booked out weeks in advance.”

 

“I have my connections,” Eri said smugly, winking, “not to mention a cousin who works in Lawson's Convenience Stores. I thought you probably needed something fun to take your mind off of things.”

 

Kagome smiled warmly, “I did, and I do. Thanks, Eri.”

 

Yuka broke in. “Who's up for a picnic in Inokashira Park when we finish?”

 

*

 

It was fairly late in the afternoon by the time the girls left Mitaka, and later still that they returned to Yuka's.

 

“I should go home,” Kagome said regretfully as she picked up her rucksack with her folders and reading. “I want to get my thoughts in order and phone Sha. I need to hear his voice and I'd be embarrassed if I had an audience.” Not to mention I'd have no idea how to phrase a message on the Pack answering machine if you were both listening in!

 

“We promise to plug our ears. Why not stay another night?” Yuka offered. “The sofa's not going anywhere, and it's gone seven.”

 

“I do appreciate everything, but want to get back. Thanks though.”

 

Eri picked up her coat and noisily jangled her keys. “In that case, I'll give you a lift.”

 

*

 

Pulling her car to a stop outside Kagome's building, Eri winced as the gears made an audible clunk. As the only private transportation available to the group, the Boneshaker was Eri's pride and joy, with every ride a gamble to see if it would reach the destination. Everyone who had been in the car had spent at least one evening parked on the side of the street, fiddling under the bonnet, and the bruises from the antiquated suspension were badges of pride. Kagome looked out of the window at the grubby, run-down tenement looming in the gathering dusk and pulled a face. Home sweet home….

 

“Are you sure you're alright? Do you want us to walk you up there?” Yuka asked from the backseat.

 

“No… I'll be fine. Thanks for everything.”

 

“OK. But if you need anything, just phone.”

 

“I will, I promise.” Kagome assured them and climbed out. Shutting the door carefully behind her, the young woman waved at her friends. Eri waved back, and with a couple of painful grinding noises, the car trundled down the road.

 

The young woman shivered, the world abruptly feeling colder and more sinister without support. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. With a sigh, Kagome fished in her purse for her keys, pulling open the metal grille and the main door. I wish we could go back to when no-one bothered to lock their doors. Kagome crossed the lobby and headed up the stairs. As she reached the fourth floor, a feeling of subtle unease trickled slowly down her spine. Tightening her fingers around the straps of her bag, the girl continued up the next few flights to her floor, finally turning onto the corridor… and froze. Peering down the hallway, it was clear that her door was ajar.

 

Slowly, the girl moved towards her bedsit. Taking a firmer grip on her bag ready to swing at anything that came out of the room, she crept down the seemingly endless corridor, her quick breathing loud in her ears. Finally, the girl stood before the open door. There was no noise from inside. That doesn't mean anything. Inuyasha can move like a ghost when he chooses. She hesitated for a few more seconds before screwing up her courage. With a burst of determination, she pushed the door open and brought her bag up in front of her chest.

 

No! Please no!

 

Her apartment had been desecrated; there was no other word for it. Kagome stood appalled on the threshold, trying to take in the chaos. Her furniture had been shredded and her cupboards pulled open, their contents strewn on the floor. Textbooks were ripped up, their accompanying notes a jumbled jigsaw. Stepping carefully into the damage, the shocked young woman tried to process what had happened. Every single item in the room had been turned over and wilfully damaged. The feeling of violation was palpable, and the girl gritted her teeth, willing her eyes to stay dry. It's just like the Sunset Shrine all over again. The only consolation was the utter emptiness. At least whoever did this didn't stick around.

 

Kagome leant against the wall, staring sightlessly at the glass fragments glittering amongst the debris mixed with the colourful shards of her new Maneko Neki. They broke the window, too. She blinked. Wait, the glass is in here? Not outside? The remains of the figurine are in here, too, which means the window must have been smashed from the outside, and the only people capable of that are… The girl picked her way through to the window frame to examine it. The five parallel gashes in the sill were clearly visible, and when she peered outside, there were more on outside facade of the building. Her stomach dropped. Oh gods…

 

Fumbling for her mobile, her hands shaking so hard that she almost dropped it, she also retrieved the scrap of paper with Inuyasha's landline number. Punching in the digits, Kagome tried to think of a clear message to leave, rehearsing several variations in her head. On the third ring, the phone picked up.

 

Who is this?” The voice was curt, male and not recorded.

 

Shocked at the live response, the young woman stumbled over her words. “Um, hi. This is Kagome Higurashi... I was, er, expecting the answering machine…” she supplied awkwardly.

 

There was a brief pause, and the voice came back in a marginally friendlier tone. “Ah, Kagome. I've heard about you. What's up?”

 

“Can I speak to Inuyasha?” she quickly asked.

 

“He's not here right now,” the voice replied. “Do you want to leave a message for him? And make it clean `cause I'm not saying any mushy stuff.”

 

“Ask him to contact me as soon as possible, please?” The girl's voice caught on a near-sob. “I really need to see him right now.”

 

“Sure.” There was silence for a minute, but instead of the dial tone she expected, he asked cautiously, “Are you OK? Has something happened?”

 

“My apartment's been broken into, and everything's been destroyed. And…there's claw marks on the windowsill, which is four stories up with no access.” Kagome took a deep breath in an attempt to calm down. “I'm sorry; I'm a bit off kilter at the moment. There's been a lot going on in the past two days.”

 

He didn't hesitate. “I'm sending someone over to check it out until I can get hold of Inuyasha.”

 

“I don't want to put anyone out….” Kagome protested.

 

“You're not.” There was a shade of amusement in the voice. “I'd be a lot more put out if Inuyasha decides to break my face for doing nothing. They'll be over in less than ten minutes.”

 

“Can I call the police?”

 

“No. Wait until we've checked it out, and don't move anything as it'll mess up any traces. Where do you live?”

 

After giving her address, the phone went dead. Kagome sighed and shoved the mobile back into her pocket. I can't tidy up? Looking around, the shambles was overwhelming, and the girl unwillingly recalled the scenes that were played out in the Sunset Shrine after every break-in. Her mother's sorrow as she surveyed the damage. Souta's horror, and later his injury. Her Grandfather's stoic façade hiding immense worry for them all. It's not fair. First my family is hounded out of Tokyo, now this… Fighting back tears, Kagome slid down the wall to sit in a small ball, her arms wrapped around her legs as she leant her forehead on her knees.

 

*

 

It was the undeniable sensation of another presence that roused the girl from her misery. Kagome let out a panicked squeak… until she recognized the fur-trimmed boots practically right in front of her nose. She tried to stand up too quickly, lost her balance, and almost landed face-first in a fur kilt, but the wearer hauled her upright before she thoroughly embarrassed herself. A pair of piercing blue eyes glinted down at her as his face split into a toothy grin. “Hello again, Beautiful.”

 

Kagome relaxed enough at his friendly greeting to give the `wolf youkai' a frazzled smile. “Hello, Kouga.”

 

“Glad you recognise me. Mutt-face must've been singing my praises again.” The vigilante paused, his expression turning grim. “It's a good thing you called.” Tugging on her arm, he pulled her across the room towards the window. “There are so many things wrong here that I'm getting you out of here… now.”

 

Stumbling in his grip, Kagome barely avoided the splinters of glass. “What's wrong?”

 

“Firstly, there's something really powerful in this area which means trouble. Secondly, there were some very unpleasant freaks in this flat.” Kouga's lip curled in disgust. “In fact, I'd guess they were here for while; at least a full day. You must have only just missed them….”

 

“How do you know?”

 

Kouga tapped his nose. “I just do.”

 

“Can I pick up a few things before we go?” the girl asked. “I was told not to move anything until you came, so I didn't pack a bag.”

 

Kouga hesitated, visibly weighing the risks before giving in to her desperate expression. “Damn, woman. Fine. Be quick.” As she hunted for a jumper, Kouga commented, “Ya know, Beautiful, you're stunning, you have great instincts, and you're smart, too.” He prodded one of her A-grade essays with his toe. “You sure you wouldn't prefer me to Mutt-face?”

 

“Uh, I'm not… that is… ” the girl stammered, and he chortled.

 

“Give me half a chance and I'm sure I can convince…” Kouga suddenly broke off. Kagome shuddered as a feeling of sheer malevolence trickled down her skin. The wolf youkai started snarling viciously deep in the back of his throat, fangs bared, radiating menace. Something's wrong. Something's very wrong. “Shit. Time's up, Beautiful.” Lunging forward he grabbed her arm and effortlessly swung her onto his back. It's getting closer…. Kagome automatically wound her arms around his shoulders for support as the Kouga braced to run.

 

There was a crash as a green-clad object barrelled into the room through the broken window. A menacing figure crouched in front of the empty frame, surrounded by a swirl of long, lilac hair. His dead, emotionless eyes locked with hers, and Kagome's breath caught in sheer terror. Something else skittered along the floor; out of the corner of her eye, the girl caught a glimpse of a large insectoid creature with a curled scorpion's tail taking up position in front of the open door.

 

“Goraishi!” Throwing out an arm towards the intruders, Kouga shouted at the top of his lungs. Lightning sparked down his hands and flared towards the person in green, who dived out of the way. The walls shook as the arching stream of energy smashed into it, but his defensive move left an avenue of escape wide open. The wolf demon didn't hesitate, throwing himself - and the girl on his back - out of the window. Kagome closed her eyes as they plummeted towards the ground, her fingers white on Kouga's shoulders to stop from screaming. His grip tightened on her legs as they dropped, just before there was a stomach-lurching change in direction, and they were airborne again. With another effortless bound, they were racing across the roofs at incredible speed.

 

I think… he might be even faster than Inuyasha!

 

*

 

“So what now?” Kagome asked her companion.

 

The pair of them were perched on the top of a skyscraper near the Roppongi District, scanning for signs of pursuit. Kouga had calmed down once he couldn't smell `the two freaks' anymore, but Kagome hadn't commented on his apparent bloodhound-like scent abilities. I think I'm in shock she thought wryly. Instead he had taken her on what he termed the `scenic route' to their current location, which was both frenetic and spectacular. Not as good as the Tokyo Tower, but then, I guess that was probably because of the company as much as the view.

 

“I'm taking you back to headquarters with me until Dog Shit shows up. I ain't touching this one with a ten-foot halberd until he's involved.” Reaching into his waistband, Kouga pulled out a strip of cloth. “Sorry about this Beautiful, but Pack Rules… you need a blindfold.”

 

“I am not putting that on.” Kagome distastefully eyed the offending item. “Who knows where it's been?”

 

“Can't take you if you don't, and I'm not leaving you alone… not with the attention you've had tonight,” the wolf demon said cheerfully.

 

There was a silent battle of wills as the diminutive woman attempted to stare down the amused vigilante. Finally, the girl threw her arms in the air in exasperation. “Fine!”

 

Kouga's wolfish grin was the last thing she saw before he tied the blindfold over her eyes.

 

*

 

Barely recovered from the final set of stomach-lurching bounds before Kouga slid to a stop, Kagome felt the change in temperature as he carried her inside a building of some sort. The young woman started badly when what could only be described as raw power suddenly wrapped around her. Kouga rumbled softly, but the girl couldn't make out his words, nor understand the low, answering growl. Before she could ask, her companion was moving again. After a minute or two, a door with well-greased hinges was opened and he finally let down from his back. Kagome blinked in the light as the blindfold was ripped off with a flourish.

 

“Ta daaaa!”

 

The room was enormous, and reeked of money. Evidently a main reception room, it was beautifully decorated with plush Western-style furniture and traditional Japanese scrollwork on the walls. One wall was almost entirely glass, flooding the room with light and showcasing a view of a huge manicured garden stretching off into the surrounding woodland, with the Tokyo cityscape visible in the far distance. Dazedly pulling off her shoes, Kagome's feet sank into fresh, springy tatami mats as she padded towards the window, detouring around a stack of floor cushions. As she caught a reflection of the room in the glass, the two dimensional view was itchingly familiar. Where have I seen this before? This looks like something I saw in one of those celebrity magazines from my not-quite-stalking days…

 

Three heavy wooden doors beckoned; the young woman glanced questioningly towards Kouga, who nodded from his position in front of the third one to watch her explorations. The first led to an opulent bathroom with marble surfaces, gold taps, a soaker tub large enough for an orgy, and the most amazing shower she'd ever seen. Why are some of the showerheads positioned that low? Oh… er… my goodness. Kagome backed out, her cheeks rather pink. The second door led to a frankly sensual and well-appointed bedroom, decked out in luxuriant shades of red and gold. Kagome gaped at the enormous Western-style four poster bed draped in scarlet silk… and then noticed the mirrors on the ceiling. It's like something out of a movie set. Again, the room had an edge of familiarity that hovered tantalisingly out of reach. I know I've seen this before! But… wait, I know! It was that article on `Houses of Tokyo's Most Eligible Bachelors'. But I can't remember who it belonged to… Flushing even brighter red, Kagome hastily retreated and turned towards the final door. Kouga's intense blue eyes twinkled at her curiosity, but he continued casually blocking the panel with his body.

 

“What's through there?”

 

“The rest of the house, Beautiful. You're not allowed out unless the Alpha says so,” Kouga said. His tone was playful enough, but with a commanding edge.

 

“Who's the Alpha?”

 

Kouga scoffed lightly, “Whilst I'm flattered for the vote of confidence, do you really think it's me, the kit or Mutt-Face?”

 

“Oh… you mean Sesshomaru, right?” Was that the `discussion' when we came in? Kagome nodded slowly, then moved away to circle the airy room, examining the handsome furnishings and décor with great interest.

 

The wolf prince tracked her movements without stepping away from the door, giving every appearance of guarding the exit. “So, what do you think of the place?”

 

“It's amazing, but it feels like a show home,” Kagome responded honestly. “There's no personal touches at all. No photos, no books… nothing. Instead, it seems like someone just gave instructions to an interior designer and this is the result. Plus,” she added with some embarrassment, “the bedroom looks like a set for adult films.”

 

“You're right… about the lack of personality rather than the pornography,” he chuckled. “Don't think the owners would appreciate those sorts of activities happening in their house.” The man's grin widened. “Like I said, you're too bright for Mutt-Face.”

 

“How come you're basing yourself here?” she asked, examining a particularly lovely ink painting on the opposite wall.

 

“It doesn't belong to me, if that's what you're asking. We're here because it's safe. But I'll take you to my place if that's what you'd like, Beautiful. I'd love to have you in my den.”

 

“Inuyasha'd have your hide, Kouga,” a lighter male voice broke in. Spinning around, the girl watched a tall teenager shove the wolf youkai aside as he closed the entry door behind him; she had a brief glimpse of a grand hallway. Despite the cheery grin, the newcomer's green eyes were sharp below an unruly shock of bright red hair. Something like surprised recognition flashed over his face before he adopted a neutral expression.

 

“Shippo, I presume?” Kagome ventured with a tentative smile, bowing.

 

“The one and only at your service, Miss Higurashi.” The teenager returned her greeting before glancing at Kouga. “His Lordship sends a heads up… something with a lot of power just arrived in the near vicinity. He's mapping the boundaries, then plans to work backwards and pinpoint the location. Considering how these things work, it's likely to be bloody impossible, and I'm not looking forward to his mood afterwards.”

 

“I know,” the wolf complained. “It's been making my skin crawl for the last hour.”

 

“You've been feeling it for an hour?” Shippo's eyebrows disappeared into his hair, and he stared intently at their guest. “Damn. This is gonna get really complicated.”

 

*

 

By late evening, Kagome, Kouga and Shippo were all sprawled on the floor, propped up by cushions, chatting freely while playing cards. All formality had long since been discarded after Shippo had pelted Kouga with a handful of acorns for propositioning… for the third time in fifteen minutes… a highly mortified Kagome. The ensuing cushion fight had made Kagome laugh properly for the first time in the past twenty-four hours.

 

The young woman evaluated the cards in her hand, selecting one to discard. “So, Shippo, why did you decide to name yourself after the fox youkai? In the stories, wasn't he a young child? I mean, you have to be at least eighteen.”

 

Shippo gave her a quick grin as he laid a card down and picked up another one. “It was sort of chosen for me and I'm older than I look.” As Kagome shot him a sceptical look, he laughed. “I'm older than you, for a start.”

 

“Oh, really?” she said dryly. “So the Youkai Pack is currently made up of you two, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, right?” At their combined nod, she added thoughtfully, “Then where's `Kikyo'?”

 

“Why do you ask?” Shippo asked, studying his hand.

 

“Inuyasha called me `Kikyo' when we first met,” the young woman explained. “At the time, I guessed she was another member of your group that hadn't been spotted by the press, but not one of you has ever mentioned her.”

 

Shippo and Kouga exchanged glances before the teenager carefully answered, “Kikyo was Inuyasha's lover. They were planning to marry, but she was murdered by Naraku.”

 

“Oh gods.” Kagome covered her mouth in horror, her skin erupting in goose bumps. His ex really was called Kikyo! Inuyasha said Naraku twisted their relationship… and that's identical to the story in the book! She sat up a little straighter as more details fell into place. And then there are all the inhuman abilities; the running, the jumping, and the abnormally fast healing. Glancing at her companions, who were watching her with almost predatory intensity, she swallowed hard. Shippo claims he's older than me, but he looks the same age as Souta. Even Kouga…he runs at near subsonic speeds and I know he doesn't have anything extra on his legs but those boots… and… is his tail wagging? Kagome felt a little faint. This is becoming too much to be pure coincidence.

 

“It was a long time ago,” Shippo said softly, noting the way her eyes widened further. “You probably shouldn't mention it to Inuyasha, because it's a really sore subject.”

 

“So what happens now?” she whispered.

 

“We wait for Mutt-Face. Unless, of course, you want to give up on him and run off with me instead,” Kouga replied with a saucy wink.

 

He rapidly discovered that Kagome's accuracy with cushions was just as good as Shippo's with acorns.

 

*