InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Infatuation ❯ How to bond with Your Partner ( Chapter 3 )

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

A/N: Thanks to Bri for her invaluable help!

Disclaimer: I wish I owned it, but sadly I don’t.

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Recap:< br>
“I trust everyone is tired, given the volume of attacks today and that it’s 0100 hours,” Kaede said. “You all are excused. We will reconvene at 0900 hours, and begin Operation: Shikon.”

Kaede and Myogua exited the Briefing room together.

Eight angry gazes glared after them.

“Well isn’t this going to be a fucking party,” InuYasha muttered.

Seven other heads nodded in agreement, then turned to glare at one another.

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Infatuation

Chapter 3: How to Bond with Your Partner

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The soft click of high-heels echoed through the otherwise silent and sterile corridor. The lab coat adorning the woman swished slightly as she came to a stop before an office door.

“Enter,” commanded a creepily smooth voice from within.

The female suppressed a shudder and entered the lavish office quickly, shutting the door behind her and walking towards the expensively-suited man seated at the elegant oak desk. She laid a folder on the polished surface.

“Ah, the report on those three trial youkai.” The man opened the folder flipping pages quickly. He sighed in annoyance. “Just as I expected. We need more shards.”

“But--”

The man violently slammed the folder on his desk. “Did you not hear me, Kagura?” he hissed in a deadly voice. “I do not tolerate failure. If you do not find a way to collect more shards and do my bidding, the consequences will be dire.”

The wind youkai ‘s eyes flashed in anger, but she lowered her head in helpless submission and nodded.

“Now, I want to know who these fighters who took down my soldiers are. I expect a report in 24 hours. You are dismissed.”

Kagura nodded curtly, and exited the office.

Naraku leaned back in his high-backed leather chair, smirking evilly. A partially-formed glowing pink ball sat in the palm of his hand. He let out a cackle.

“Soon, this world will be brought to its knees.”

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The glares were furtive, but potent. Each Slayer and Hunter seemed truly irate that the one would have to work with the other. Only the glances of Kagome, Rin, and Miroku seemed to lack any true malice. In fact, Miroku appeared downright giddy with glee.

“I think Kaede-sama’s advice is most wise,” said Miroku, breaking the tension. “It is best we retire now.”

“The monk has a point,” Ayame added, stretching and stifling a yawn with her hand. “I’m beat, and I know Kagome needs her rest.”

“I’ll be fine,” Kagome insisted, while yawning. She turned a little red in embarrassment.

“Uh-huh,” Sango clicked her tongue, standing up and tucking her folder under her arm. “Come on, Kags. Let’s go home to our nice cozy apartment and forget about these morons.”

Kagome nodded, gingerly easing out of the chair to follow her roommate.

“My dear Sango,” Miroku began. “I think that since we are now partners, it is most pertinent that we work together without problems.”

Sango gave the monk an incredulous look.

“To commence this new teamwork, I think we should get to know each other intimately. May I come home with you to your humble abode?”

Sango knocked Miroku unconscious before he could even blink.

Kagome and Rin burst into giggles, and Ayame cackled loudly in the background.

“Stupid monk,” InuYasha grumbled, stepping over his comrade’s body and trailing the Slayers out into the hallway. Kouga and Sesshomaru followed suit.

“You’re just going to leave him there?” Kagome asked wearily.

“He’ll be up in a few minutes, sweet cheeks. Don’t worry, it happens all the time,” Kouga assured her, grabbing her hand and patting it gently.

Kagome’s aura flared, singeing the ookami‘s fur and making him yelp.

“Call me sweet checks again and you’ll be joining him.”

Kouga gulped and nodded, stepping away from the miko.

Kagome swayed, and began to fall. Two strong arms, with glorious biceps tipped in red, caught her. Kagome found herself a little lightheaded as she glanced up into concerned amber eyes.

“Careful,” InuYasha warned softly. “You’ve used too much energy as it is. Don’t overdo it on the wimpy wolf.”

Kagome offered the hanyou a small smile, trying not to blush.

Sango sighed. “You’re in no condition to ride home on that bike of yours. You’ll have to ride with me.”

“What! Leave my precious baby here? I don’t think so,” Kagome made an attempt to push herself out of InuYasha’s embrace, but her vision swam before her.

“Ooof.”

“See Kagome! You won’t make it out of the building. You,” Sango pointed at InuYasha, “Carry her down to the garage. Follow me.”

“Hey! I ain’t a fuckin’ pack mule!”

Chocolate eyes flashed in anger. “Put me down then! I’m not going to inconvenience you!”

“Keh, you’ll fall unconscious the moment I let you go and crack you head open in the stairwell.”

Kagome huffed and crossed her arms as InuYasha toted her after Sango.

“Kagome, your bike will be perfectly safe in the garage,” Rin said, trying to pacify her.

“Not the point.”

Sango and Ayame rolled their eyes, while Rin sighed. The Hunters, sans Sesshomaru, passed looks of mirth amongst themselves. Once in the garage, InuYasha dropped Kagome on the bike Sango just straddled.

“You jerk! Couldn’t you have been a little nicer?” Kagome growled.

“Nope.”

“Why I ought to…” Kagome warned, pink aura flaring slightly.

“Kagome,” Sango chastised, “You don’t need to wear yourself out anymore than you already are. Let’s go home. I bet Souta and Kohaku are waiting up for us.”

Kagome smiled, wrapping her arms around her friend’s waist. Sango gave a quick salute to the remaining Slayers, and peeled out of the garage and out of sight.

InuYasha and Miroku held twin looks of disappointment.

“It appears the Lady Sango is taken.”

Rin burst into a fit of giggles.

“What‘s so funny, bitch?” InuYasha bit out.

“You two look like you just lost your favorite toy. Souta and Kohaku are their--Oomph!”

Ayame had slapped a hand over Rin’s mouth. She smiled coyly at the boys, backing away and bringing Rin with her.

“Don’t pay her any mind. We’ll be on our way now.”

The two remaining Slayers disappeared in a swirl of wind.

“Those are a bunch of crazy bitches,” Kouga commented.

“Indeed.”

“But you must admit, they are pretty hot,” Miroku nearly drooled.

Sesshomaru would have snorted, if he would ever lower himself to do such a common thing, at the sight of the ookami, his half-brother, and the monk nodding distractedly in agreement.

------------------------------------------------------< br> Sango helped Kagome into the rickety elevator of their run-down apartment complex.

“You would think with the connections Kaede has, she could get us a better place.”

Sango sighed. “Location matters a little more than comfort, Kags. Besides, who would believe two scruffy orphans like us could live in the Ritz?”

Kagome and Sango shared a small laugh. The elevator dinged, and the stepped into the dingy hallway, stopping at apartment number 313.

“We’re home!” Sango called, unlocking and kicking open the door.

Two 12-year-old boys raced into the room.

“Kagome-neechan!”

“Sango-neechan! ”

“Hello, boys,” Sango laughed, ruffling Kohaku’s hair as Kagome squeezed Souta tightly in a hug.

“Missed us?”

“No!” the two tweens sobered up, pushing away from their sisters.

Sango chuckled, taking each boy by the shoulder. “Okay, okay. Back to bed with you. It’s entirely too late, and you both have school in the morning.”

Kagome shook her head and smiled at the two boys whining while Sango marched them to their beds. The miko then sighed, thinking she too needed to go to bed. She reached her room, kicking off her boots. Looking at her rumpled clothing and messy hair, she scrunched up her nose.

“Shower it is.”

Soaking in the warm water of the shower, Kagome found herself nodding off. She quickly finished washing, shut the water off, and got out. Dried and pajama-clad, she collapsed into bed, drifting into a sleep filled with dreams of golden eyes, silver hair, and dog ears.

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“Bitch.”

“Bastard.& #8221;

“My parents were married, you stupid wench.”

“Like I care, dog-boy.”

“Would you two quit? We haven’t even begun and you’re already giving me a headache!” Sango whispered loudly over the walkie-talkie. “We’re on assignment, for Kami’s sake. Act like professionals--HANDS OFF, LECHER!” A loud smack was heard over the radio.

“You were saying, Sango?” Kagome snickered.

“Shut up, Kags,” Sango snarled. “Or do you want to trade partners?”

“I’ll take dog-boy, thanks.”

“Keh.”

“Is that, and ridiculously sexist names, the only vocabulary you’re capable of?”

“No.”

Kagome rolled her eyes, turning back to the window. She, her lovely partner InuYasha, Sango and the monk were spending their afternoon on a recon mission at a diner across from the corporate office of Onigumo Research Industries. Their main objective was to knock out a few guards, swipe their uniforms and ID badges, and gain access in order to find Kagura, Kanna or Kikyo and trail them.

Because InuYasha’s hair would be too noticeable, and Kagome was still not up to par because of her injury, the two were acting as lookout from a window booth positioned directly across from the restricted access entrance to the building. From their booth, they could spot high-risks entering the building and warn Sango and Miroku, or take them out if need be. InuYasha was hoping for the latter opportunity.

Deciding to go incognito, Kagome had her hair pinned up under a short, light-brown wig and wore green contacts in her eyes, along with a light blue shirt and a pleated jean skirt. InuYasha wore a black baseball cap to hide his ears, and had braided his long hair. He refused to stick contacts in his eyes, so he wore sunglasses instead. He was clad in a button-up baseball jersey and baggy jeans.

“Here ya go, dears,” a bubbly waitress smiled, setting down their order.

“Thanks,” Kagome replied, smiling back. InuYasha just grunted.

As the waitress walked off, Kagome kicked the hanyou under the table.

“Ow, you bitch! What was that for?”

“Your lack of manners,” Kagome answered sweetly, sipping her milkshake.

The couple a table over turned to give them weird looks.

“It’s his little affectionate nickname for me, idn’t it, koi?” Kagome cooed, tapping InuYasha’s nose. She would have gone for the ears, but they were covered by a ball cap.

“Sure is, darlin’,” he replied just as sweetly, cupping her chin.

As soon as the couple turned away, Kagome flicked him in the nose as InuYasha let go of her chin to push her away, both glaring at each other.

Things had gone downhill between them since departure last night. Both were not exactly morning people, and when they showed up for the morning meeting at 9, bickering had ensued. It began with InuYasha complaining loudly about being stuck on “babysitting duty with a cripple.” Kagome retaliated with a few choice insults to his intelligence, and World War III had officially commenced.

“Why couldn’t we have been stuck with hacking or round up duty,” Kagome grumbled over the radio.

“Because Rin kicks both our butts at hacking, and Ayame’s in a better position to make the usual scum of Tokyo talk,” Sango answered.

“Ah. Any luck yet?”

“Almost. Incoming prospect.”

Kagome held her breath as Sango’s line was silent. The sound of a scuffle crackled through the transmitter, then silence again.

“Success. We’re heading in now,” Sango reported.

“Roger. Communication restricted, starting now.”

“Keh, now we get to sit here and twiddle our thumbs while they get to have all the fun,” InuYasha muttered.

For once, Kagome agreed with the irritable hanyou.

Kagome and InuYasha took turns surveying through the window. The miko periodically would glance at her watch, and sigh. InuYasha got fed up with it after 15 minutes.

“What the fuck is your problem? Got a hot date that’s more important?”

“No, you jerk. I have to go pick Souta and Kohaku up at 4. I can’t be late again.”

“Playing chauffer to your little boyfriends?”

Kagome snorted. “Hardly. Souta’s my little brother, and Kohaku is Sango’s younger brother.”

InuYasha had the grace to look slightly abashed. Then, Kagome swore she saw relief pass briefly across his eyes.

“Why do you care?” she asked, leaning over the booth table, showing a little cleavage in her light blue v-neck top. “Interested, dog-boy?”

It was InuYasha’s turn to snort. “In a stupid ningen like you? Ha.”

Kagome felt hurt by his words, but didn’t let it show. She just flipped him the bird.

InuYasha flashed a feral grin. “You wish, darlin’.”

“Why you--oh crap, 6 o’clock.”

InuYasha whipped his head around in the direction Kagome indicated to see a dark-haired man in a sleek business suit approaching the restricted access door with a dark-haired woman.

“Fuck. Naraku and Kikyo.”

Kagome brought the walkie-talkie to her lips. “Baboon entering cave. Take a walk.”

“But we just caught feel of the wind. Go walk the dog.”

“Hey--”

“Shut up, InuYasha. Fine, we’ll buy you ten minutes tops.”

Kagome threw down some money, grabbed InuYasha by the elbow, and dragged him outside the diner and toward Naraku and Kikyo.

“Isn’t it a beautiful day out, koi?” Kagome gushed in a loud and sweet voice, wrapping her arms around InuYasha’s torso.

“Sure is, koishii,” InuYasha purred, kissing her on the forehead.

Kikyo and Naraku stopped, turning around.

“Well, if it isn’t InuYasha,” Kikyo deadpanned.

“Kikyo?” InuYasha faked surprise. “Well isn’t it a coincidence to see you.”

“Is that your new toy?”

“This is my girlfriend, Hitomi. Hitomi, this is Kikyo.”

“Hiya,” Kagome replied in a ditzy voice.

“Ms. Yuroshi, may I ask who are these people?” Naraku demanded in an icy voice.

“Just an old acquaintance.”

“We should be on our way.”

“No!” Kagome interjected quickly.

All three gave her quizzical looks.

“What’s the rush? Why don’t we all go get coffee and play catch up?”

Kagome felt herself mentally bash her head against the wall. ‘Sango, you better hurry it up in there! I can only keep them a little longer without Naraku getting suspicious!’

“Tell your air-headed little girlfriend some of us have real jobs to get to,” Kikyo huffed.

‘Ooo, I’m gonna kick her bitchy little--’

“Hey, she just likes meeting new people, no need to act so rude.”

‘Did he just defend me? The fake me, but nonetheless…Hey, isn’t the pot calling the kettle black?’

“I have no time for this. Kikyo, tell them goodbye.”

Kagome felt her walkie-talkie jolt.

‘Bingo.’

“Oh, it’s OK,” Kagome sniffled in fake disappointment. “I understand you’re too busy. Maybe next time.”

InuYasha put his arm around her shoulder and walked around the corner and away.

Once out of sight of Naraku and Kikyo, Kagome shoved InuYasha away.

“Get off, dog-boy.”

“Sheesh, just saving your ass.”

“No, my acting skills saved our asses.” InuYasha interjected a snort, and Kagome sighed in annoyance. “Where are Sango and Miroku?”

Two sets of feet landed behind them. Kagome turned to see her friend and new comrade standing there in blue guard uniforms, cocky grins on their faces.

“Well? Please tell me I did not act like a lovey-dovey ditz for nothing.”

Sango held up a stack of papers.

“Photocopied reports?” Kagome asked in awe. “I could kiss you right now, Sango!”

“Please do,” Miroku said giddily.

With a loud THWACK, Miroku hit the pavement.

“Wow, bitch, remind me never to get you mad,” muttered InuYasha, staring wearily at Kagome.

Sango high-fived Kagome.

“When the lecher wakes up, we’ll head back and hand these in.”

Sango kneeled down, and began to shake Miroku.

“Ow, did you get the number of that knock out?”

Sango grabbed him by the ear and dragged him off towards where their motorcycles were stashed.

Kagome began to laugh, but went rigid at the approaching jyaki her miko senses detected. InuYasha stiffened up too, looking around from side to side. She turned in the direction of the energy source, but saw nothing. Suddenly, she felt something thin wrap around her throat. Kagome gasped, struggling to breathe.

“Kagome! What’s wrong?” InuYasha asked worriedly.

“Well, well. It seems I’ve caught a miko and a hanyou with pretty hair.”

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End Chapter Three
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A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this installment. Please, please, PLEASE leave a review! A writer needs encouragement to write. I would really love to hear your thoughts, good or bad.

Thanks again!
~Lizzie