Lemonade, Too

By Fujifunmum

Chapter 13: Clean Up in Aisle Three

Inuyasha stayed awake in front of his laptop long after Kagome was safely tucked in bed and sound asleep. He could hear her soft breathing from where he sat at the end of the dining room table closest to their bedroom. It should have been comforting, being able to hear the ocean waves breaking on the beach from the front of the house, and hearing his mate sleeping from the opposite direction. Nothing was giving him any comfort tonight, not with Toukijin still out there and a danger to all of them.

He had spent his time in going over all of the data supplied by the Coor's Amphitheatre front office, making sure all of the entries were legible and relatively complete. There was no indication from the raw data that there was anything missing. He repeated the process with all of the other data received regarding Sesshoumaru's appearances, staff, videos, and all the associated personnel. The raw data he had given Sango was as complete as his sources had promised. Now, if Sango would just get it together and format it so they could run the data until it revealed its secrets, and maybe even the thief, he could get Toukijin contained before any lives were lost.

Sango hadn't communicated with him at all. No emails, no IM's, no calls, nothing. He had tried to contact Miroku, but gave up after he listened to his away message: "I know it's you, Yash. Who else would be calling after midnight? I'm watching the videos, so fuck off until I'm finished. Don't bother to come over, either. I've got an ofuda with your name on it. If you darken my door, I'm slapping the first ofuda over your mouth. Guess where the next one goes. Go to bed with your woman - at least one of us should be happy tonight - MY woman won't take my calls. Don't leave a message, just hang up."

As soon as the line went dead, Yash had sworn a blue streak. He tried to contact Sango again, with predictable results. He decided to take another tact, and started compiling a database of his own: known demons and hanyous in the L.A. area. Compiling wasn't exactly the right word; refining would be a better choice. He had been keeping the list he affectionately called the "DDA" (Demons, Dead and Alive), for decades. It wasn't limited to L.A., but could be searched by location, species, name and various attack specialties. He included aliases, blood type, known associates, and had a special category for demon "services". Everyone who was known to provide commodities of interest to demons in their community was listed - from hairdressers to plastic surgeons, from weapons to DNA duplication. Dressers, decorators, travel agents, everyone had an entry.

He didn't feel comfortable giving this kind of information out to Sango, maybe someday, but not yet. He wasn't crazy about the little fox, but at least Shippou could be trusted to understand the ultra sensitive nature of the data and he was in the best position to match up the names with Sango's database. Between the police databases Shippou was set to search and the DDA, there were bound to be more than a few matches. Grimacing, Yash realized that his problem was not going to be too few matches, but too many. His Asshole brother was a pop singer, a demon pop singer. That had to bring them out for a full-on party when the Asshole was in town.

Yash set up extensive parameters for his new database, including any and all factors that could ever be considered pertinent. This would be an excellent resource for the search, but he was not blind to its usefulness in the other cases bound to come his way in both the near and distant future. It took him a long time to refine the categories, but once they were set, he loaded up the data he had spent so long accumulating and stood up to stretch and take a breather. He examined the security system, the hidden cameras, and the sensor technology he'd had built into the fixtures in his absence. There was no way he'd be caught unawares again. With the remote features of the system and the tie-in to his cell Internet access and palm pilot, he could look into his own bedroom from the top of the palm tree across the street, from his skyscraper office in downtown LA, or from anywhere else in the vicinity. That applied to any other room or hallway in the house or garage, the front entryway, on the deck and extending down to the beach at high tide. When the technology improved, he'd extend it to low tide and down the street in front of the house. His inborn paranoia and possessive demon instincts had expanded in tandem with the danger to his mate and unborn child.

He was just about to go over his case file logs to see if there was any possible lead in there he might have forgotten when he heard the unmistakable sound of a door opening. On his laptop, that is. He was so eager to get to the computer that he knocked over the chair in his haste, catching it quickly just in time so that he did not wake Kagome.

His demon luck held. It was Sango. She was online and a fraction of a second later her IM appeared on his screen. "Data folded, spindled and mutilated. Same provided to Shippou instantly or sooner. Download confirmed, foxfire can be seen for miles. Catching some ZZZZZZZZZZ's. Fuck off. Rinse and Repeat."

He wasted no time in responding to her message, his fingers flying over the keyboard with unusual dexterity considering the impediment of his claws. He spared no exclamation point or four-letter explicative in demanding that Sango call him instantly or sooner. He demanded details. He ranted about her censure. Hell, he even took a brief moment and two whole words to thank her.

It didn't matter, Sango's away message flashed up instantly: "You owe me, Asshole. Big Time. Ducks tickets. SEASON Ducks tickets, for Miroku and me. See you at the wedding dog-boy." The message was bad enough, but the crowning insult was her icon. Where she'd gotten an animal shelter slogan he didn't even want to imagine, he just wanted to get that damn image off his screen. Just seeing it made his ears twitch and he unconsciously crossed his legs. "Spay your pet" ought to be banned. And she had to display it over a white dog?

The easily enraged hanyou spat out a few choice curses before he heard the telltale signs of Kagome rousing from her sleep. His next curse caught in his throat as he choked back the evidence of his frustration and fell silent waiting for her breathing to fall back into the rhythm of sleep, hoping she would not awaken.

Thankfully, Kagome simply turned over, reached out for him in her sleep and fell silent. The enforced brief pause allowed Yash to realize that trying to contact Sango was no longer necessary. It was Shippou he needed to reach now. He quickly hit Shippou's speed dial number on his cell. He could barely restrain a growl as he waited for the little fox to pick up the phone. He had to be there, at the precinct. He'd better be at the precinct running the data against the myriad police files for LA and nationally. As soon as he'd gotten those results, Yash was going to have him triangulate the files with his DDA.

"Officer Shippou."

Yash went right for the instincts, giving Shippou a sharp bark of command, a command any canine demon would recognize and a command that those lower in the food chain would ignore at their peril. Come to think of it, everyone was lower in this particular food chain, except maybe his Asshole brother - maybe he ought to try it out on Kagome, get the pups used to the sound. Speaking of Asshole, his reverie was broken by the growling voice in the receiver.

"Get over yourself, Asshole. I don't answer to you, you s.o.b. I'm doing this for Kagome, so fuck off and let me get back to it. When I have something to report, I'll let HER know."

"Big talk, little fox, when you know I can't leave Kagome and come over there to beat the crap out of you." Even his small cell phone registered the gasp of fear in Shippou's voice, just before he heard the slamming of the receiver at the other end of the connection. So much for instincts.

Or maybe not all instincts, he thought as he headed for the bedroom. He had done everything he could for the time being, it was time to catch a little bit of sleep before the sun rose and it would be time to start again. He didn't need as much sleep as a human and nobody needed as much sleep as Kagome. He stood in the doorway and drank in the peacefulness of her form, her regular breathing and her wonderful scent.

His focus was back where he needed it; back on his present and his future. In a flash, the horrors of the past confrontations with Toukijin floated into his memory as a snarl rose in his throat. The visions in his head were of a very different hanyou than the one reflected in the full-length mirror as he made his way silently to the closet. In his mind's eye, he wielded Tetsusaiga in defense of his long-dead friends in a blur of red and white.

Quietly, and with a seriousness of purpose he rarely displayed to others, he slid back the hidden compartment of the extensive closet. Kagome would have found it eventually, so he determined to show it to her tomorrow. He found what he wanted and returned briefly to the entry hall to retrieve one of the unfamiliar suitcases that they had brought back with them from their "vacation". He opened it in the hallway, carefully removing the packaging to reveal an old and battered katana in its sheath. He stroked it lightly before he grasped it firmly to take it with him into the bedroom.

He stripped and crept carefully into his bed and gathered up Kagome with one arm. He used the other arm to spread his fire rat kimono over the top of them both, then fell into a light sleep as he clung to Tetsusaiga.

Kaede came early the next morning, altering her usual routine to spend the day with Kagome. It was still early enough that Kagome was not yet awake. He had only been up for an hour or so himself, carefully cradling Kagome and his future in the safety and warmth of his arms.

After Yash keyed in the security code to allow her entrance, Kaede raised the magical wards and entered the house. She offered to relieve Yash of his watch, but Yash brusquely declined as he ushered her into the kitchen. She had brought a basket of treats: berries, fruit, nuts and some homemade nut bread.

"Shit, Baba, did you think I was a bear? What's with the nuts and berries?"

Kaede flawlessly took over in the kitchen, relieving him of the coffee grounds to shoo him to the counter. He watched as she started the coffee, poured both of them glasses of juice, and proceeded to make a fruit compote, adding the berries.

"It's for Kagome, Yash. She needs to eat carefully now, particularly with this new stress. She may be a powerful Miko, but that won't help her if she doesn't take very good care of herself and your child. I want to spend the day with her in training; training for mental stamina. She has the youth and the physical strength she needs. Kagome is a very brave young woman, but she has not faced the like of Toukijin. Her powers are not complete, but I can help her if she wishes it. Will you allow it?"

"Shit yes, Baba, anything that increases Kagome's Miko powers and could help her defend herself is fine by me, as long as she's up to it." Just then they both heard water running in the master bathroom, and Yash went to let Kagome know that Kaede was here to see her.

He didn't actually have a chance to say anything. Kagome was headed out of the bathroom, but blanched, turned a shade of sickly green and dashed right back the way she had come. Her morning sickness appeared to be back in full force. Yash waited for her gagging noises to subside before he knocked on the door as gently as he could.

"You OK in there, babe? Can I get you anything?"

"I feel like shit, Yash. Don't press your luck. Just leave me alone until I feel better. Like in six months or so."

Yash gulped, the last time she'd been this sick she'd "sat" him for little or no reason until he had retreated to the top of the palm tree across the street for refuge. He couldn't do that now. It was too important that he stay close. He had to keep her safe.

"Baba's here, she brought you some fruit and nuts, she wants to see you."

Kagome barfed again at the mere mention of food. "Thanks for sharing, Yash. I really appreciate your help."

He could hear her vomiting again. It was the only thing that stopped her sarcasm. Hell, it was probably the only thing that stopped her from "sitting" him.

Yash was pacing outside the door, feeling helpless and trapped. Then he caught sight of Kaede in his peripheral vision. She was in the doorway, clearly asking for permission to enter. He nodded, and she slowly made her way across the room, raising her eyebrows as she spotted the fire rat fur kimono on the bed and Tetsusaiga leaned against the foot of the bed. She said nothing, but took Yash's arm and steered him towards the door.

"Leave her to me, I will take care of her this morning. You tend to your investigation. We must each do our part if we are to be successful in this."

Again, Yash nodded and moved to the door, wincing as he heard Kagome's gagging in the background. He put it out of his mind as he left the room and headed off to get to the coffee and his laptop.

True to her word, Kaede eased Kagome's distress. First with some crackers and ginger ale, then with some tender loving care. She settled the pale girl back into bed and made herself comfortable next to her.

"We must prepare, Kagome. Your training must be complete, and I can help you harness your power into a shield, into a shield to protect you, maybe even strong enough to repel Toukijin."

"Can't we do it some other day? Like when I'm alive?"

"And what if this is the last day you have to live?"

Kagome blanched again, but not with nausea. This time her gut clenched in abject fear.

"If you were intending to scare the shit out of me, you've succeeded."

"Good. We'll take it slow, Kagome, until you are feeling better. The sooner you complete your training, the more protection you will have against this dreadful killing sword."

Kagome held Kaede's steady gaze, fighting back her tears. Then she closed her eyes and began her breathing exercises. The flood of calmness she felt gave her some relief from her wretched nausea and returned a little of her confidence that she could deal with whatever her life with Yash brought her. As the calmness permeated her mood and her body, she completed her exercises and opened her eyes.

"I'm ready."

Yash was pleasantly surprised to check his email and find messages from both Miroku and Shippou. Then he opened them.

Shippou's was short and anything but sweet. "I ran the data, you won't like the results. Call me."

Miroku's was more promising. "Videos finished, along with my eyesight. Several scenes of interest. I'll bring them over for your personal viewing after I get some sleep."

His call to Shippou went through just as he finished reading Miroku's message.

"Officer Shippou."

Again, Yash executed his bark of command, following it up immediately with his voice.

"Just what won't I like, little fox?"

"The database was right around a hundred thousand records. When I ran it against the state and federal police databases I ended up with a remarkable number of hits. Fully a quarter of the records were a match in some fashion. There's no way I can process twenty-five thousand hits, Yash. I need a way to narrow down the search. Besides, we still don't know if any of these records will lead us to the thief." Shippou paused, waiting for the barrage of heated swearing he expected from the hanyou.

Yash was disappointed that the results were not more promising, but he knew that it was way too early in the investigation for that kind of a lucky break. You might get a lucky break from a stakeout, or a witness, or a snitch, but not from raw data. Shippou was too wet behind the ears to understand that yet. It was time. He sat down and took another drink of his coffee, ignoring the questioning voice of Shippou trying to find out if Yash was still on the line or on the way over to the precinct to kill him in person.

Yash's clawed fingers sped over the keys, as he continued to ignore Shippou until he clicked on send.

"Breathe, Shippou. I've just sent you a file. To say that this file is for your eyes only is the understatement of this new century. Needless to say, it's totally encrypted. Don't open the file or even take a piss until you get your furry ass over here so I can explain it to you in person. I know it will take a little extra time, but the encryption needs to be handled carefully. Get over here now."

Kaede and Kagome had completed her breathing and relaxation exercises and moved on to her more advanced exercises to tap into the power of the Shikon no Tama that rested at her throat. They took a brief break so Kagome could wash her face and brush her teeth. She had finally stopped vomiting.

When she returned Kaede gave her an assist over to the bed and helped her settle in. She didn't look quite so green around the gills. She was moaning like she was in pain, but Kaede figured she was just miserable from waking up to nausea on her first morning home. Kaede pulled her chair close to the bed and spread the bright red fire rat fur over her.

"What is that, Kaede? Did you bring it?"

"Oh no, this belongs to Inuyasha. It is made of fire rat fur and offers extra protection from fire and other threats."

"I've never seen it before; but since he never tells me anything I shouldn't really be surprised. Where would he have worn such an oversized garment?"

"A long time ago and no where around here."

"Why is my headache suddenly getting worse? Kaede, will you please tell me about my husband's past?"

Kaede scowled. "Kagome, that information really needs to come from Inuyasha. You should ask him your questions."

"I have, but two sentences into any serious conversation with me and Yash starts thinking with his other head."

Kaede laughed out loud and patted Kagome on the shoulder. "You are still newlyweds, you know. Don't you think he'll tell you everything you want to know, eventually?"

"Yeah, right. With his current policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell for anything about his past or his demon heritage, I'll be lucky if I know anything at all before our child is born. Which reminds me, do multiple births run in his family? He keeps referring to this child as "pups", as if may be more than one."

"Hmmm. I know Inuyasha was his mother's only child, and I am fairly certain that Sesshoumaru was as well. I'm not certain how much information Inuyasha can sense about your unborn child. Perhaps I could tell you a little bit about his past…"

There was little more that could be done until Shippou showed up, so Yash decided to check on Kagome. Kaede had closed their bedroom door when she heard him on his laptop and cell phone, probably to keep Kagome's concentration from being distracted. His sensitive hearing allowed him to hear the low voices, but not discern what they were saying. It made him a little uneasy, even though he knew that Kaede and Kagome had held many such training sessions without him before they had left for Wisconsin. Now he felt quite differently about it. Now he didn't want his Kagome out of his sight, and definitely not out of his hearing.

He softly opened the door without knocking, trying to hear clearly without interrupting. It sounded like he was arriving just in time to prevent a major meltdown. His ears perked up and then flattened back in abrupt anger. Kagome was sitting up in bed, supported by a bank of pillows and covered with his fire rat fur kimono. Kaede sat on a chair at her side, her back to him. It would have been a comforting scene for the highly volatile hanyou but for the words he heard clearly as he opened the door.

"You realize that Kikyo can raise the wards on this place as easy as you or I can."

Yash exploded.

"What the hell are you talking about, Baba! You're supposed to be training Kagome and helping her, not scaring her."

"My hearing is not impaired Inuyasha. Would you like to join us for this discussion? We are Mikos, hanyou, discussing Miko business. If you wish to stay, quietly, you are welcome."

"Actually, Yash, you won't have to be quiet at all. I have lots of questions for you to answer. We can start with our baby, Yash. Why do you keep saying 'pups' as in plural?" Kagome's eyes were flashing, and not with mirth. She seemed to be intent on cornering him into answering her questions, even if she had to do it in front of Kaede.

Yash blanched and slowly began to back towards the door, his ears twitching and then flattening against his head. He'd been successfully avoiding this topic for days. He didn't have time to deal with it now. Shippou was on his way over, and he certainly didn't want to discuss it in front of either Kaede or Shippou. He turned his head quickly to either side, searching in vain for a quicker escape route; just then that little voice in the back of his head grabed a bullhorn and announced: "Step away from the Mikos."

"OK, then, how about your past? You've never told me anything about your past before you came to California and started your P.I. business. I want to hear everything, and I do mean everything."

This was worse. Yash took another step towards the door, but reached for Tetsusaiga as he backed up. He had purposely worn a wide belt, knowing he would feel safer if he felt Tetsusaiga at his side. He couldn't help but wonder if his brother had known that he would need Tetsusaiga with him as he faced the first potential life threatening situation he had known since moving to California. If you didn't count the freeway.

Kagome couldn't help but notice the panic seeping into his facial expressions. Her flashing eyes took on a predatory look that Yash recognized all too well. "Too much for you? Ok, let's narrow the topic a little…." Kagome's eyes tried in vain to capture his as she watched her wary mate backing away.

Yash had barely backed out of the room before Kagome's raised voice followed him into the hallway.

"Let's just limit it to your ex-girlfriends, shall we, Yash? Yash? I thought you wanted to talk?"

Thank God, just then the doorbell rang. It had to be Shippou. It was the first time Yash had ever greeted Shippou with a look of relief on his face. Truthfully, it scared the fox demon more than anything had in a long time.

October 16, 2003