InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hijacked Honeymoon ❯ Chapter 11

Hijacked Honeymoon

 

Chapter 11

 

“Where does Sango live?” Sesshomaru asked Kagome. While he'd finished his conversation with his boss, arranging for a package of supplies that included a vehicle to be delivered within the hour, Kagome had time to think, but as usual she'd been unable to come to a conclusion because she lacked the data. Still, after they'd finished shopping for cloths, toiletries and a red wig for her in the hair salon, she realized that Sesshomaru's Shey Group commanded resources unavailable to the common citizen.

 

When a salesman drove a one-year-old white Lexus RX SUV into the parking lot and handed Sesshomaru the keys, she was amazed. When she looked over the supplies in the back that included three cell phones, weapons, a hefty amount of cash, computer equipment and telecommunications electronics she didn't even know the use for, she was doubly impressed.

 

“The salesman could be an ex-veteran or one of Kincaid's former buddies from NSA. Or someone who owes the Shey Group a favor.” Sesshomaru held open the passenger door and she slipped onto the leather seat, appreciating the cool air-conditioning. At the surprise that much have shown on her face, Sesshomaru smirked. “Kincaid believes his people work better when he coddles them. If a brand-new vehicle wasn't so conspicuous, he would have purchased that instead.”

 

The Lexus had that new smell, and she glanced at the mileage, not the least surprised to see it had less then three thousand miles. In seemed incongruous to her that a man who would spend this kind cash on keeping them safe would be the same kind of man to order Sesshomaru to kill her best friend. Besides, Sesshomaru seemed to have to much honor to kill Sango just to shut her up.

 

And yet…as much as Kagome wanted to discount that possibility, she couldn't. By taking Sesshomaru to see Sango was she putting her friend in danger from the Shey Group, or the people who were after her?

 

“Sango lives in an apartment with two roommates who will recognize me,” Kagome lied. “Maybe I should call her.”

 

Sesshomaru pulled out of the parking lot. “Kincaid thinks an in-person visit is best, and the man has uncanny instincts. We'll do this in person and case the place before we go in.”

 

“But—“

 

“Kincaid developed the antimissile defense code for the NSA. He's tied to the CIA, and his contacts extend from the White House to the Kremlin. I take his suggestions as an order.”

“And you always obey orders?'

 

“Yes. Unless the situation changes. Then I'm free to decide on the spot. But Kincaid always keeps sight of the big picture. He's saved my life several times, risking assets and other men to extract me from a no-win mission. He looks out for me and I get well paid to do as I'm asked.”

 

“How come you're telling me all this?” She scratched her scalp under the wig that was hot and itchy, but knowing she was less likely to be recognized, she kept it on.

 

“Despite what you told Kincaid, you still have doubts. Do I seem like the kind of man who would hurt your friend?” as Sesshomaru turned away from the center of town, he glanced at her, his golden eyes amused yet sincere.

 

That he understood her inability to trust him came as no huge revelation. After all, he was intelligent and observant. What did amaze her was his willingness to talk openly about her concerns. So she gave him an honest answer. “I'm not willing to risk Sango's life on my impression of you. And what about your speech about not contacting my friends because it could out them in danger?”

 

“Your friend Sango is putting you in danger by her media blitz.” Sesshomaru drove past the country club golf course, in the opposite direction of Sango's condo. “Do you know how to shoot a gun?”

 

His sudden change of subject of conversation seemed to come out of nowhere. “Why?”

 

“Suppose when we visit Sango, I gave you a loaded weapon to hold. Would that reassure you?”

 

“Haven't you been trained to disarm someone like me?”

 

He grinned. “Yes. But I would keep my distance.”

 

She stared at him, took in his sincere expression and then shrugged in disappointment. “Well, it doesn't matter because I don't know how to shoot. Mom always hated guns. She said civilized folks should solve their differences with words. And she'd never have forgiven herself if one of the neighbourhood kids had found the gun and shot someone by accident.”

 

“A gun is a tool and can be used for good or bad depending on the person using it. A hammer can kill, but you probably had one of those.”

 

“What's your point?”

 

“I'll teach you to shoot a gun.” Amusement and challenge filtered his tone. “Then I'll let you keep it.”

“This from the man who didn't trust me with a knife?”

 

“Look, we're in this together. You didn't try to slip a note back at the farm. You didn't try to run or call for help at the store. If you believe me, then I can trust you with a weapon. And since we don't know what we're facing, I'd feel better if you could defend yourself.”

 

“I don't know.” Her gut churned with excitement at the prospect but she didn't want him to know that. Although she'd spouted her mother's views, it seemed to her that a gun could be a great equalizer between the sexes. So what if it was noisy? So what if it could kill? Some men needed killing. And if that made her bloodthirsty—so be it.

 

Back in the forest when someone was shooting at them, she'd have liked nothing better than to shoot back. And she appreciated that Sesshomaru was encouraging her to take care of herself. Hojo had carried a weapon in a holster, and he'd always projected the I'll-take-care-of-you demeanor that she'd found patronizing.

 

While she'd never thought of carrying a weapon before, there had been no need until now. And while she didn't know if she suspected that she could actually pull the trigger and shoot anyone, she suspected that she could and would do so in self-defense or to save someone she loved from harm.

 

“You needn't pretend with me,” Sesshomaru told her as if he'd read her mind. He had an uncanny knack for doing so that irritated her, although she didn't know why.

 

“Pretend what?”

 

“Any woman who fought me as hard as you did, back when the chopper landed, will adore shooting a gun. In fact—“ He aimed his charming grin at her”—after I get done with you, you're going to feel naked without one.”

 

He drove her to the shooting range outside of town. Empty in the middle of the day, they had the place to themselves. Then Sesshomaru gave her a thorough indoctrination, teaching her safety rules before he even allowed her to touch the weapon. She learned the names for all the parts, how to stand braced and how to use the sights. He made her load the chip and then slide it home into the gun, until she could do so with her eyes closed. After donning earmuffs and safety glasses, he finally let he shoot, and she was pleasantly amazed that the gun barely kicked in her hand.

 

But she was shocked at how easy it was to hit a target the size of a man from only ten feet away. Shooting in real life was much easier then it looked on television or at the movies. Sesshomaru told her that striking a moving target was much more difficult, but after shooting through five clips of ammo, she had no doubt that if she was forewarned, she could hit anyone before they could reach her. After shooting through ten clips, her hand was pleasantly sore, her arm muscles quivered as if from a workout. Thanks to Sesshomaru's knowledgeable tutelage, she no longer feared that she could shoot herself or anyone else by accident.

 

They cleaned the guns with oil, and Sesshomaru fitted her with an ankle holster. She made sure her weapon was loaded with a bullet in the chamber, but on safety. She need only bend, yank out the gun and flick her thumb over the switch to be ready to fire.

 

As they drove back to Canfield to find Sango, Kagome prayed killing wouldn't be necessary. She especially didn't want to test her new skill. She especially didn't want to shoot Hojo.