InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kurayami no Naka de Hikari ❯ Found ( Chapter 11 )

Kurayami no Naka de Hikari

Notes: 7516 words / 11 pages (I think the pages is wrong... I'm spell-checking on a different machine than normal. What's here is normally 13-14 pages at least -.-). Okay, LOTS going on in this chapter, I LOVED writing this one. It has a little bit of a cliffie, not like last time, though~.^ My personal life is still a mess... dunno what's gonna happen from day to day, REALLY sucks! Anyway, please review! LONG reviews make my day and help me write quickly ~.^

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters thereof. Even though that is the case, please don't steal my plot, concept, or story out of respect for my creative endeavor as I would not do this to anyone out there.

- l - l - l - Change of scene, time, etc.
'Thoughts/dreams' will be in single quotes (IE: ' ')

Chapter 11 – Found

"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked into the receiver as he heard a sharp intake of breath. After a moment, he heard a sharp cry of pain with Kagome yelling to be let go, then a low voice, only audible because of his sensitive inu hearing.

"I told you never to see 'him' again, bitch." The voice was deep and had a dangerous edge to it that made Inuyasha's skin tingle uncomfortably. For some unknown reason, the voice sounded vaguely familiar but he couldn't seem to place it.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled into the phone in a panic. His eyes narrowed in anger as the phone when dead. He stuffed the phone in his pocket and did a quick U-turn before taking off at top speed back toward Kagome. He ignored speed limits, stop signs, and red lights as he tore down the street. He weaved in and out of traffic, the sound of honking horns and squealing tires dying behind him as he outpaced their outrage. He completely droned out even the sounds of police sirens, his thoughts on a certain onyx-haired woman who was in danger.

"I'm coming, Kagome!" He yelled as he sped up his desperate race.

- l - l - l -

Sango groaned as her eyes slowly opened. Her head still felt fuzzy as she rubbed her eyes. They felt grainy and full of salt and she groaned as she ran her tongue along her teeth. She seriously needed a toothbrush. She was covered with a thin, itchy blanket that she shoved off unceremoniously onto the floor.

"What the hell?!" Sango croaked, her throat not wanting to form the words. Looking down at herself, she was wearing some skimpy lingerie that concealed very little. Her head still felt somewhat stuffed with wool and her face throbbed with every pulse of her heart where she had been struck. She knew even without a mirror that there was a large, purple bruise around her right eye. She touched the tender area and immediately winced... definitely bruised...

Sango slowly sat up, feeling dizzy through the medication they had used to sedate her. She didn't know how long she'd been there and didn't know if she had the strength to form an escape, she was sure as hell going to try, though!

She had noted when she was awake before and the light had been on that the walls looked a bit funny. They looked makeshift and didn't line up at perfect angles. They looked more like the cubicles in an office building, snapped together roughly. It looked as if they were meant to be taken apart easily, possibly in case they needed to be moved to a new location quickly? It didn't reveal how strongly they were held together, though.

Nothing had looked special about the door when she'd had light. It looked to be of wood and it hadn't sounded as if there had been a padlock on the door when the youkai, Hiten, had come into the room. That was a good thing because Sango was confident if she could get a hold of something straight, small, and metal then she'd be able to pick the lock. Not a very practical skill for a doctor, but Sango thought it might come in handy some day if she lost her keys or something. She thanked her lucky stars that she'd practiced that skill. Now she just needed to find something to use as a tool...

Sango stiffened when she heard footsteps outside of the door. How was it someone kept coming to the door as soon as she woke up? She lay back down and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep. She was hoping they wouldn't do anything to her if they thought she was still unconscious. Though she wasn't too hopeful since she'd woken up wearing some sleazy lingerie that she hadn't been wearing before.

The door opened with a quiet creak and she could feel the vibrations from heavy footsteps. The footsteps stopped next to her bed and she forced her breathing to stay even and her her muscles to stay relaxed. She wanted to know what was going on, but resisted the urge to peek her eyes open. Her body shifted slightly as the person sat on the bed and she felt a hand stroke her cheek gently. She wanted to swat the hand away but with more restraint than she thought she possessed, Sango was able to keep herself completely relaxed. She attributed that to whatever drug it was that they had been pumping into her. Otherwise, she had a feeling she would've tried to bite the hand.

"So pretty..." A male voice whispered and Sango shuddered as she recognized it was the large, nearly bald youkai that had grabbed her. What was his name again? Montan? Menton? Monten? She didn't remember, but she did remember his terrifying appearance.

"Brother said I couldn't cook you for a hair tonic..." He said quietly, buying her possum act. His fingers went to her hair and he gently brushed it with his large hands.

'Cook me for hair tonic?!' Sango thought desperately as panic started to build in her chest. 'Oh HELL no!' Her mental voice screamed as she struggled to maintain control. Her heart began to race and she felt sweat bead on her forehead. 'This guy is nuts if he thinks cooking ME will make his hair grow! Get some freaking plugs or rogaine or something!!'

"Then pretty girls would want me like Hiten." The youkai said and Sango couldn't contain the wince when his hand fisted in her hair painfully as he lifted her head from the pillow. She could feel the anger and intensity of the youkai by the grip he had on her hair, but managed to just barely keep the tears from forming in her eyes.

"He said I couldn't cook you, but he didn't say I couldn't have a taste." His voice said deviously and Sango felt something warm and wet slide up her cheek. She couldn't stop the involuntary shudder that ran through her as disgust filled her whole being. His weight shifted and Sango realized in horror that he had climbed on top of her. She felt her legs being nudged apart and was just ready to drop the act and scream at the top of her lungs when a sharp voice broke her train of thoughts.

"Manten!" Hiten snapped and Sango felt the robust youkai jump up and off the bed. Sango let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and forced her body to relax. She felt slightly embarrassed about the fact that she was laying on her back with her legs spread but made no move to close them.

"I told you to stay away!" Hiten growled as Sango heard footsteps enter the room and bright light shone on her eyelids after the sharp click of the light switch. "This one already forced me to damage her temporarily. I know how you lose control, I won't have you killing her in your... activities..." Sango swallowed a lump in her throat. Apparently, she had just been saved by the enemy. "Now go down there and sort through those safety deposit boxes like you're supposed to be doing."

"Yes brother." Manten said dejectedly and Sango heard his heavy footsteps retreating down the hallway. When Manten's footsteps were no longer audible, Sango heard the soft click of the door closing.

"You can stop faking, human." Hiten's voice said as his footsteps crossed the floor. The lights had been turned off and Sango drew in a sharp breath as she, again, felt someone's hand tangle in her hair and yank her head back painfully. Sango couldn't hold back the cry of pain that escaped her lips this time.

"You're fear was making the air quiver." Hiten said in an amused tone. Sango reached her free hand up to her head and tried to pry his fingers from her hair. It was nearly impossible with only one free hand.

"You're high spirited, those are the most fun to break." Hiten's voice sounded husky in her ear as she felt him lean over her. "It's just like breaking a horse only... more enjoyable..."

A chill ran though Sango's spine as she felt his lips latch onto her neck in a vicious bite. She couldn't help but cry out in pain, nor could she hold back to fearful tears that suddenly filled her eyes. "You don't taste too bad, for a human."

"S-stop it!" Sango cried as she put her hand on his chest and tried to push him away. She pulled against the handcuffs in vain, feeling the bruises that had already formed around her wrist. Hiten's response was to tighten his grip in her hair and wrench her head back farther. Sango arches up off the bed as another cry of pain escaped her lips. She felt several hairs pulling free from her head as the pain increased.

"Let me go!" She cried as her anger started to overwhelm her fear.

"I don't think so." Hiten said, and Sango could see a smirk in the dim light before his face crashed down on hers, kissing her roughly.

Sango fought back at first but was met with another painful yank. Her lips parted to cry out and his tongue forced its way in and explored her mouth brutally. His teeth nipped at her lips and tongue, filling her mouth with the bitter flavor of blood.

She tried to bite him but he had a firm hold on her hair and her free wrist was caught in his iron grip. More angry tears streamed down Sango's cheeks as she was so easily overpowered. After all the workouts and sparring sessions with Miroku and Inuyasha, she could still be taken down with superior strength. She had not felt this helpless since she had been forced to watch Kohaku die before her eyes.

Finally Hiten pulled his mouth from hers and she felt a sob escape her throat. His grip on her hair loosened as her muscles went limp.

"Miroku..." She whispered as she quietly wept. She felt hands roaming her body freely and the fight returned. One hand moved between her legs and she cried out in surprise and anger. Her body reacted instinctively and she rammed her knee upward, catching him in the groin. Sango heard Hiten growl in pain and roll to the side, landing on the ground with a thud. Sango closed her hand around something small and metal and subtly tucked it under the pillow for further examination. She didn't know what she'd managed to pull from his pocket and was just hoping he wasn't going to attack her for the cheap shot to his manhood.

"Stupid bitch!" Hiten croaked in pain from the floor. Sango didn't have time to do anything to defend herself before she felt a hand close around her throat, cutting off her oxygen. Her free hand shot to her throat, clawing and yanking as she tried to pull his hand away. "I have the perfect buyer for you. He likes to maim his prey as he breaks them."

"Touch me again and I'll hurt you." Sango growled as she felt his fist loosen momentarily. She gulped in big breath of air and sunk her manicured nails into the soft flesh of his neck.

"Bitch!" Hiten cried as he released her throat and backhanded her sharply. Sango was seeing stars as she slumped back into the lumpy pillow. She could hear Hiten growling and cursing but it didn't really register. She whimpered as she felt a burning sensation in her arm and was able to rouse herself enough to open her eyes and look over at Hiten as he jammed a needle into her arm. Her last vision before she lost consciousness was of Hiten climbing on top of her, his weight pressing her into the hard mattress before nothing...

- l - l - l -

"What do you mean Koharu was gone when you got there?" Miroku demanded from the woman on other end of the phone. "I just left ten minutes ago and told the security guard not to let her leave."

"The girl must have snuck out." An elderly woman's voice said into the receiver. "Where did ye say the girl lived?"

"Not far from the temple. She lived with her abusive father." Miroku said as he put his face in his hand. He had been on his way to Inuyasha's to get a strategy for finding Sango but it seemed fate was screwing with him. He NEEDED to get to Sango but this pregnant teenager was keeping him from the woman he loved. He knew it was because he was supposed to help the girl in some way and had failed miserably.

"She can't have gone far. I have the photo you sent, I will look for her." The older woman said into the phone.

"Thank you, Kaede-sama." Miroku said in relief. He knew the elderly Shinto priestess would look for Koharu until she found her, even if it took days.

The old miko was the closest thing to a mother or grandmother Miroku had ever had. She had a shrine near Mushin's temple and the two would often get together for various community activities. She was extremely wise and dependable so he trusted her to walk Koharu through her ordeal more so than he did a clinic.

Miroku also knew the depths of Koharu's manipulation having experienced them first hand so he was unsure if he convince them to take her into in-patient care for her emotional dependency problems. She could definitely put on a front when she wanted to. After the incident in the living room, Miroku knew he couldn't be in a room alone with Koharu again. She was much too unpredictable and he had a nagging feeling that things were going to grow much worse. He didn't want to admit it, but Koharu scared him in a way.

"I'll call as soon as I learn something." Kaede said and the two said their goodbyes and hung up. Miroku sighed and speed-dialed Inuyasha's number. As was expected, the hanyou didn't answer his phone. That was not unexpected, Inuyasha hated having a cellphone for anyone to get a hold of him at any time.

"Inuyasha, call me as soon as possible. I'm headed to your place." Miroku said after the beep to leave a voice mail message. Miroku hung up and pulled out of the parking space before heading toward Inuyasha's upscale apartment downtown. Lucky for him the doorman knew him and he had a key to the apartment so he could let himself in. He'd been up all night the night before so it might be a good idea to try and get a little sleep before Inuyasha and Kagome got back. Miroku just hoped he'd be free of nightmares, his life had become a living one between Koharu and the woman he loved being kidnapped. 'Be safe, Sango-chan...'

- l - l - l -

Inuyasha didn't know how much time had passed when he pulled up next to Kagome's apartment building, nor did he pay any attention to the sirens that seemed to follow in his wake. There was just one thing one his mind that drove him forward in a frenzy... Kagome is in trouble... His heart was in his throat as he dropped his bike unceremoniously to the ground, not caring if he damaged it or messed up his paint job. He ran to the door, taking advantage of his hanyou strength and speed and banged on the door.

"Kagome!" He yelled and pressed his ear to the door, panic gripping his heart. Not a sound...

He tried the doorknob and found it locked. With very little effort, he jammed his shoulder against the door and popped it open. He dashed inside, the scent of dried blood met his nose. He dashed through the kitchen into the living room, calling Kagome's name the whole time.

There was no sign of her in the dim light so he moved onto the next door. It too, was locked and he quickly forced it open, dashing into a dim study with bookshelves and a desk with a desktop computer. There was a laptop and a bag with books spilling out as if it had been dropped in haste.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled again as he approached another door at the back of the room. He vaguely noted voices shouting at the front door, but he ignored them as he tried the doorknob. It was locked so Inuyasha kicked it open quickly and dashed inside. There she was... lying on the bed with her eyes closed. Her skin was a gray color and she was much too still...

He rushed to her side and turned her go face him, she was lying on the rumpled bed. Inuyasha could smell sex in the air, but it did not contain Kagome's scent. He put his ear to her chest and his eyes widened in terror as he was unable to pick up a heartbeat.

"Ka... gome... no..." Inuyasha whispered in shock as he looked at her still form. He took a deep breath and forced himself to remember what Sango had taught him so long ago. Thankfully, it came back quickly.

Inuyasha tilted her head and and pinched her nose before passing two large breaths of air into her lungs through her parted lips. He used his hands to pump her heart, counting to himself. He switched back to the nose pinching and breathing, two breaths, then began depressing her chest again. He cycled through this, panic building with every passing second. He could hear someone shouting to call an ambulance, but his only focus was the girl below him who still hadn't responded.

"Breathe damnit!!" Inuyasha shouted as he dove down to breath into her again. He felt hands trying to stop him but he pushes them away, determined to save her. The woman that needed him, the one he wanted to rescue so badly, but had failed miserably.

"Kagome! Come back!" Inuyasha shouted as he continued performing CPR, not holding back the moisture that fell from his eyes freely. Another person he cared about was gone... he failed her...

- l - l - l -

Kagome felt herself floating... it was peaceful and for the first time in many years, she felt completely content. She was vaguely aware of a flash of silver that passed beneath her but she felt too relaxed to care what it meant. She smiled as she felt herself float through the ceiling. Part of her mind protested, telling her that people can't float through ceilings. That's precisely what she did though.

She ignored the upstairs apartment and it's occupants as she rose through and came out through the roof. Upward she drifted like a gentle wisp of smoke being buffeted by a gentle breeze.

"Are you truly content to leave?" A female voice broke into Kagome's tranquil existence. She turned slowly to see a woman with long, straight black hair and piercing brown eyes that seemed to be able to see into her very soul. She was wearing an outfit of billowing material in red pants and a white top. It was more elegant, but was definitely modeled after a Shinto priestesses attire.

"Who are you?" Kagome asked as she shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of the mysterious miko phantom.

"My name is Kikyo, I was once a well-known priestess when I lived." Kikyo said quietly as she looked intently into Kagome's eyes. To one who had little experience or ability to read people, they might have believed Kikyo to be cold and unfeeling. Kagome could see intensity and passion buried deep within her gaze, though.

"What is happening?" Kagome asked as she gave Kikyo a questioning look. She really wanted that content feeling to come back, but was feeling decidedly anxious. She kept feeling short of breath and there was a painful pulsing in her chest that concerned her greatly.

"You have a decision to make." Kikyo explained in a voice that revealed as much emotion as her face displayed, which was very little. "It is a choice I was never given."

"What choice is that?" Kagome asked as she reached a hand up and clutched her chest. The pulsing was coming more frequently and she began to grow frantic.

"You have a choice of returning or moving on." Kikyo explained as she drew close to Kagome and brushed a lock of hair from her forehead.

"What do you mean?" Kagome asked in confusion as she fought to draw breath.

"Come." Kikyo said as she took Kagome's hand and drew her downward, pulling her toward the roof of the building, through the upstairs apartment and back into Kagome's apartment.

Kagome's eyes widened in surprise as she saw a man with flowing silver hair performing CPR on a still figure lying on Kagome's bed. There were uniformed officers walking around consoling a distraught Inuyasha and trying to coax him into giving up his efforts of reviving the person on the bed.

Kikyo and Kagome landed beside the hanyou and Kagome saw the first true emotion in Kikyo's eyes flicker and quickly be masked. It was a loving look, but also filled with regret. Had Kikyo known Inuyasha? From the way the girl spoke, Kagome took the woman for an angel or a guiding spirit at the least.

"You can choose to return to life..." Kikyo said quietly as she watched Inuyasha's shoulders shaking in pain and anger. "Or you can come with me to the next plain. I cannot promise you will not face more hardships." Kikyo explained and Kagome looked at her face and saw a true smile on Kikyo's face.

"And if I choose to move on?" Kagome asked as her eyes watched Inuyasha's distress. He seemed to have finally realized it was no use because he stopped CPR and leaned forward with his head in his hands. Tears were visible on his cheeks and Kagome felt something tear in her chest.

"If you choose that, you will live in absolute peace and happiness." Kikyo explained and Kagome met her serious gaze. "I can tell you, though. Inuyasha is loyal to a fault. He does not let go of those he cares for to the point that he feels loneliness. You could do worse than Inuyasha, it's difficult to do better, though."

Kagome studied Kikyo's eyes and a realization dawned on her, this woman was in love with Inuyasha. The look in her eyes was part longing and part sadness from the knowledge she could never be with him. Kagome smiled and nodded as she reached her decision.

"I'll return." Kagome said resolutely as a soft smile crossed her features. Kikyo nodded knowingly, like she had known it would have gone that way.

"Very well." Kikyo said and pressed a finger to Kagome's forehead gently. A warmth spread from her touch and slowly descended down her body, halting the painful spasms and shortness of breath. "Tell Inuyasha that I forgive him. He needs to stop blaming himself for what happened to me." Kikyo's voice was faint as a rushing sound filled Kagome's hearing and a bright white light filled her vision.

- l - l - l -

Kagome felt herself gasping for air greedily as if she had never breathed properly in her life. Her lungs ached from the lack of it and it seemed to burn her throat as she dragged it in forcefully. She felt someone roll her onto her side and drawing breath became easier. Her ears were filled with noise she couldn't filter and her eyes felt heavy. She could feel a sore spot on her neck but couldn't seem to wrap her mind around why it hurt at all. She was about to say screw it and fall asleep when a familiar voice whispered in her ear.

"Yokatta..." Inuyasha's voice whispered and for the first time, Kagome noticed strong arms holding her.

"N'yasha..." Kagome murmured, confused at how sluggish her thoughts and speech seemed to be.

"You came back... thank kami..." Inuyasha whispered and Kagome felt moisture drip onto her cheek. She looked up and was surprised to see tears on his face.

"Why are you crying?" Kagome asked as her breathing finally returned to normal.

"You were dead, Kagome. I couldn't bring you back." Inuyasha whispered for Kagome alone. "Then you just woke up." It took a moment for it to register in her mind what had happened. Then her heart dropped at the vivid memory that entered her mind.

"Naraku... He tried to kill me..." Kagome said out loud as his betrayal came back. "He was in bed... with someone... He attacked when I tried to leave..."

Shortly after that, Kagome became aware of bodies all around them. There were police officers everywhere and a large group of paramedics had just entered to room and headed toward her with tools and med kits. The whole apartment was swarming like a kicked anthill. She allowed herself to be removed from Inuyasha's arms as paramedics began shining flashlights in her eyes and asking questions about allergies.

After a good hour and a half, the police and the paramedics were satisfied they had collected all of the information and evidence they needed to build a case against Kagome's boyfriend... wait... ex-boyfriend... They had wanted to admit her to the hospital overnight but Kagome refused, remembering Sango's plight. Therefore, they instructed Inuyasha to bring her in if anything out of the ordinary happened. He assured them that he would and locked the door behind the final person who left the apartment.

"You're really feeling all right?" Inuyasha asked as he met Kagome's eyes with concern. She smiled softly and nodded her head in reply.

"I feel fine. It's getting dark, we should get Miroku so we can find Sango-chan." Kagome said seriously, her smile slipping. She wasn't sure how to act around Inuyasha now that he'd saved her life a second time.

"Baka... you're going to get some rest while we look for her." Inuyasha said with a frown, arms crossed over his chest.

"Not going to happen. I'm not staying behind!" Kagome argued, eyes narrowed at Inuyasha's stern look. "I actually know what I'm looking for!"

"You almost died today! Do you think I'm gonna risk purposely taking you into danger?!" Inuyasha demanded angrily from his spot on the futon beside Kagome. "I never should have let you come in here alone! I won't lose you like I lost her!" Inuyasha cut off as he realized what he had just said. Kagome gave him a strange, knowing look with that sad smile he hated so much. The look was so understanding but pained all the same. How could Kagome look understanding? She didn't know about 'her'... or about Inuyasha's stupid pride that pushed her to do something extremely destructive that had ultimately taken her away forever. No... there was no way Kagome knew about Kikyo...

"Inuyasha..." Kagome said softly and averted her eyes as she laid a hand on his wrist. "Before I came back, something weird happened..." Kagome started softly and Inuyasha caught the sudden scent of nervousness and uncertainty from her.

"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha asked in just as quiet of a tone, his gaze intense on her diverted eyes.

"There was a girl I didn't know..." Kagome started, not sure that he'd believe her when she told her near-death experience. "She said her name was Kikyo, and she asked me to tell you that she forgives you and wants you to stop blaming yourself." Inuyasha's eyes widened in shock then narrowed in anger.

"Where did you hear that name?" Inuyasha demanded, his voice suddenly cold as he hung his head slightly. His bangs covered his eyes so Kagome couldn't read his expression when she looked up. He pulled his wrist from Kagome and seemed to withdraw in on himself. "Did Sango or Miroku tell you?"

"What?" Kagome asked in confusion at his sudden withdrawn behavior. "No, I told you, Kikyo came to me. She was beautiful and dressed like a miko. She gave me the choice of returning or moving on."

"Are you a liar, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked as he looked up at her with a hostile look in his eyes. Kagome leaned back in surprise and suddenly felt intimidated by Inuyasha. She shrunk under that gaze and a tingling sensation of fear ran down her spine. Never had she sensed danger from Inuyasha the way she had at that moment. It rolled off of him in waves and she found herself withering under his glare.

"I'm not lying, Inuyasha!" She cried as she felt sweat begin to bead on her forehead. "She was intense and hard to read. When she looked at you, I could tell, though..."

"You could tell what?!" Inuyasha snapped angrily and Kagome could have sworn she saw a flash of red in his eyes that was gone in a blink.

"She loves you." Kagome said and watched as the anger died from Inuyasha's eyes and he visibly slumped, ears drooping into his hair.

"It was our first year in college... Kikyo and I had been together for two years already." Inuyasha started, his eyes taking on a faraway look as he went back into his memories. "I was thinking about proposing to her, but I kept getting nervous and pushing it off. She was pressuring me to ask but I just never found the right moment. I got angry because it felt like she was forcing me to ask." Inuyasha paused to gather his thoughts to continue with the story.

"We got into an argument and I broke up with her. I didn't talk to her for weeks even though she called continually and apologized." Inuyasha's voice grew quiet and his eyes grew pained. "She was depressed and started to smoke weed... About a month after I broke up with her, I got a phone call from her family... She'd smoked something that was laced and been in an accident. She was thrown from the car and died instantly..."

Inuyasha stopped speaking and just sat with his head down, ears lying flat and hidden by his hair. His eyes had a sad and faraway look in their amber depths. Kagome felt like she had been doused with ice water at the story... she had heard it before... only told by Naraku during his time as a drug dealer... There was no way they could have been talking about the same girl... was there?

Kagome wasn't sure how to bring Inuyasha back to the world of the living so she did the only thing she could think of. She gathered Inuyasha into her arms and lay his head against her chest, combing her fingers through his silver locks soothingly. He didn't protest and wrapped his arms around her waist gently, his face buried in the crook of her neck.

Kagome whispered words of condolences into his ear and reached her hand up to massage one soft ear between her fingers. A shiver ran down Kagome's spine as his clawed finger began to trace circles on her lower back. She smiled and buried her face in his hair, breathing in his scent. She might not have his extra sensitive nose, but damn did he smell good. She caught the smell of shampoo mixed with aftershave and a hint of coffee. She refrained from gasping when his hands moved from her spinal cord to her sides beneath the heavy turtleneck she still wore.

"Kagome..." Inuyasha mumbled almost inaudibly and Kagome couldn't hold in the gasp as his lips ran over her earlobe gently. She shivered as she felt his teeth grace the sensitive flesh and his warm breath filled her ear.

"Inu... yasha..." Kagome breathed as she leaned into Inuyasha's chest. His lips moved to the spot behind her ear as his hand rose to pull the neck of her shirt down to expose her slim throat.

His lips ran down her throat, raining gentle kisses onto the tender flesh and Kagome's eyes closed and head leaned back as tingles trialed outward from his touch in concentric circles. Inuyasha's hands moved upward from Kagome's side and over her taught stomach and she found herself raising her hands to allow him to pull the shirt off.

Kagome ignored all sense of reason as his arms encircled her again and she leaned up to meet his lips in a fiery kiss. Kagome immediately allowed him entry when she felt his tongue slide over her bottom lip eagerly. She moaned into his mouth as his hand slid stealthily upward and ran gently over the underside of her breast just beneath her bra. His touch was so gentle and enticing that she found herself pressing her chest forward, her nipples tightening as she anticipated his hands running over them. She felt a burning sensation between her legs and shifted to part her legs slightly, giving him access to her most guarded of places.

"Ka... gome..." Inuyasha breathed as he broke the kiss, panting for breath. Inuyasha just couldn't help himself with Kagome, she just smelled so fucking GOOD! A potent, yet tantalizing aroma reached his nose as she shifted to spread her legs and he felt a painful throb in his lower extremities. He had never wanted a female the way he wanted Kagome at that moment.

Inuyasha held on to control and gently ran a finger over her right nipple with his thumb. The responding moan accompanied by her chest heaving into his hand had him rock hard on the moment. Abandoning control, Inuyasha sliced the cloth connecting the cups of the bra and buried his face between her breast. He had one hand on her lower back while the other ran in circles around her erect nipple.

Kagome threw her head back with a moan as a blast of cold air hit her exposed chest, causing goose bumps to break out across her exposed skin. He kissed the area between her breasts and moved his way up the side of her left breast, tantalizingly slow. Kagome moaned as a ripple of pleasure ran down to her toes. She wanted him to touch her so bad, wanted to feel his muscled chest against her own. But most of all, right now... She wanted him to close his lips over her aching nipple.

"Please..." She begged with a gasp of pure desire. Inuyasha took this as an invitation and closed his lips over the awaiting flesh, sucking like a babe only gentle and sensual. He reveled in the taste of her flesh and felt his desire begin to edge toward uncontrolled lust. He didn't want to give in to that desire, he wanted to explore and thoroughly memorize her every detail. He wanted to discover every spot that gave her chills, know where every freckle was located, and cause her to scream his name in the bliss of her release.

Inuyasha groaned as the scent of desire assaulted his senses, threatening to break his control. It was intoxicating to him, a drug that would get him higher than anything you could find on the street. His fingers rolled her right nipple as his teeth gently rolled the left, causing a moan of his name to escaped Kagome's parted lips. He couldn't hold back any more! He wanted her so much it hurt!

Inuyasha pushed Kagome down onto the futon, one hand holding her close as the other trailed to her waist, undoing the button on her jeans. He nudged her legs apart and pressed his throbbing member against her burning core, relishing in the feel of his erect manhood against her confined lips.

Kagome groaned as Inuyasha's erection pressed against her and she lifted her hips to grind against him. The touch ignited the already burning fire growing inside her, bringing her toward the edge. She had never felt a desire as strongly as this. Part of her screamed it was too early to give her body, but everything he did felt so RIGHT! She wanted to feel him inside of her, pumping in and out slowly as his mouth closed over her nipple. She wanted to feel his tongue on her nether-region as she tangled her fingers in his hair and massaged his snow-white ears. Kami-sami she wanted this man! With his sexy silver hair and chiseled chest, he made her heart beat uncontrollably just by being!

A low growl escaped his throat as his phone began to ring and he tore himself away from Kagome's bare upper body. He pulled his phone out and sighed as he saw Miroku's name on the screen.

"What?!" He snapped as he answered the call, annoyed by the interruption. He let his eyes rove over her body greedily, noting the slight blush tinting her cheeks. Her breast were perfect, perky, and round and he found himself cupping one while a gasp escaped her lips.

"Where the hell are you?! I've been at your place for hours, man!" Miroku's voice sounded over the phone loud enough for both of them to hear. "It's getting dark, we need to start tracking down leads to find Sango before something happens to her!"

With that statement, the bubble of passion and desire was pricked for both parties and Kagome jumped up and ran to the bedroom.

"We're at Kagome's getting some of her things. Something happened earlier, I'll tell you about it later."

"Just hurry, Inuyasha." Miroku said and they quickly said their goodbyes and hung up. By the time Inuyasha, grumbling, found his shirt, Kagome was walking into the living room with a bag slung over her shoulder and held a laptop against her chest. "Let's go find Sango-chan!" Kagome said as she stowed the computer in a minuscule laptop bag that hung from her shoulder.

- l - l - l -

Three people walked down the street together in a rough part of town. They had never been seen there before so suspicions were high among the regulars that they were cops. Kagome had insisted that they dress the part to half-way blend in and it resulted in Inuyasha wearing blue jeans with a tight, black T-shirt, and a matching baseball cap twisted backward to hide his ears. Miroku was dressed in a similar fashion, but had swapped his normal loops in his ears to a couple of faux diamond studs with large, princess-cut stones.

Kagome, though still bandaged had adorned a short, black halter dress that revealed a generous amount of cleavage and hugged her hips and butt snugly, not leaving anything to the imagination. She wore black, fishnet stockings and black heels that added a good five inches to her height. To complete the look, Kagome had pulled her hair up into two spiky buns, streaked with red and put on a layer of heavy makeup that she normally didn't bother with. All in all, Kagome looked HOT! She was hoping it would keep the locals off guard enough to let some useful information slip. So far all it had done was cause Inuyasha to growl possessively every time a man was too friendly with his eyes, though.

Kagome rolled her eyes for the twelfth time since she'd come out of Inuyasha's bathroom in her sexy get-up. She had been extremely impressed when she'd walked into his apartment and felt not a little uncomfortable. He had TWO of those jacuzzi bathtubs, one in the master bath AND to guest bath! Not to mention both had a stand up shower in the bathroom as well!

Kagome paused in their walk down the street, earning a grunt of annoyance from Inuyasha and a raised eyebrow from Miroku. Ever since Kagome had sensed that aura in the parking garage, she had begun to pick up more auras. She could now distinguish dozens of them, separating and analyzing was becoming second nature to her.

"What is it, Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked as he saw the look of concentration on her face as she tried to gauge the location of the sensation.

"It's faint... but one of the auras is in there." Kagome said and pointed to a rough looking bar across the street. The place looked tough, there were too burly bouncers out front and a short line of rough-looking humans and youkai waiting to get in. They were all being patted down before they were allowed to enter. Yes, this place was no stranger to trouble!

Inuyasha wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist and pulled her close protectively. Miroku took the lead, smiling his good natured smile as the three or them go into the short query out front. It only took a few minutes for the bouncers to search the people before them and either let them into the bar or turn them away. Though the only person that was turned away had neatly-brushed hair, horn-rimmed glasses, and a white button-up shirt complete with tie. All of the rougher sort were let in after a quick pat down.

Miroku spoke to the bouncers briefly before holding out his arms to allow them to search him before he disappeared through the door. Inuyasha stepped up and allowed the pat down, though he glared at the bouncer who eyed Kagome appreciatively. Apparently, they didn't find anything because the bouncer grunted and jerked his thumb toward the door. The other bouncer looked over Kagome's body greedily and reached out his hands to search her as well. Kagome slapped his twitching hand away when it got close and glared at him.

"Please, does it look like I can hide any weapons under this dress?" Kagome demanded with an attitude.

"It's the rules, human." The bouncer purred with lust as his eyes fell on her cleavage. Kagome could hear Inuyasha growling low in his throat.

"Touch her and you die." Inuyasha said in a dark voice.

"Nobu, let the lady pass." The other bouncer said as he sensed trouble. "Where's she gonna hide a weapon in that get up?" The bouncer called Nobu looked pissed! He was obviously one of the types that did pat downs on women just to cop a quick feel. With one more dark glare, Inuyasha put his clawed hand on Kagome's bare shoulder and directed her through the door.

"You're gonna get killed by a jealous boyfriend for feeling up his girl one of these days." The bouncer that had let Kagome said in disgust at his co-worker as the door swung shut behind the pair.

Noise assaulted Kagome's ears as they walked through a short hallway into the crowded bar. The crowd looked much rougher inside the bar, probably because most of them were rivals so while they pretended to be relaxed, they cut dark looks all around them just daring someone to try something. There was rough laughter echoing from people getting steadily drunker, and squeals as girls were pinched by passing too close to tables where men were drinking heavily.

"Where is he, Kagome?" Inuyasha's voice whispered close to Kagome's ear. She couldn't help the shiver that ran down her spine at his close proximity. His warm breath on her ear and hands on her hips brought a slight blush to her cheeks. She was pressed against his rock-hard muscles as she scanned the room. Miroku walked up a few moments later with three bottles of beer. They would look suspicious if they didn't act in a certain way, just like the obvious business man they'd turned away at the door.

Kagome scanned the room, feeling safe leaning up against the silver-haired hanyou. She tried to keep her expression bored as she sipped the beer from a straw. She didn't really care for the stuff, but blending in was a must for now. She scanned the room three times before her eyes fell on a human with fire red hair sitting alone in a corner. He was speaking in a low voice to a man with a long, black braid hanging down the back of the chair. It looked like they were working out some sort of deal because after a few minutes, the red head rose and headed for the door.

"Red haired human..." Kagome said in a low whisper and felt Inuyasha squeeze her hip to acknowledge he'd heard her whisper. Inuyasha gave Miroku a meaningful look and was gone in the blink of an eye.

It took nearly an hour before Inuyasha returned to the bar. By that time, Kagome and Miroku were situated at a table apart from the rest of the patrons, trying to seem unremarkable so they didn't stick out. Inuyasha slid into the small booth next to Kagome and leaned down, presumably to kiss her throat and whispered three words that made Kagome smile.

"I found her..."

::FIN::

August 5, 2011

Notes: That's it for this chapter! Don't think you've seen the end of Naraku or Koharu, I have a feeling they'll be making an appearance again later in the story~.^ Like I said above, long reviews inspire me to write longer, better chapters (and faster too).