InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Living The Promise ❯ Breakthrough ( Chapter 23 )

Chapter 23: Breakthrough

 

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“You fools! You can't even manage to complete one little job!” Muso watched with wide eyes as the blond haired Mr. Neitzel ranted and paced in front of him, Goshinki, and Ox. Goshinki was nursing a bruised jaw while Ox sat clutching his broken arm to his chest. Muso tried to keep from drawing the irate man's attention to himself.

 

Ox struggled to his feet, trying to keep from jarring his arm, the one that his boss, Mr. Neitzel had snapped when he learned that Ox was the one who shot the wrong girl. Neitzel watched with cold eyes as the husky bodyguard stood weaving on his feet. Quick as a striking cobra, the boss man grabbed the injured appendage and gave it a cruel twist.

 

“You are lucky I don't kill you for this! I sent you with these two buffoons to prevent mistakes from being made, and you make the biggest one yet!” Mr. Neitzel hissed as he released the broken arm.

 

Ox paled from the pain shooting through his body. He managed to choke out “Sorry sir, it won't happen again, sir. Please forgive me, sir.”

 

Mr. Neitzel stalked over to the sideboard and picked up a glass of wine, taking small sips as he struggled to get himself back under control.

 

“Oh, I forgive you.” He looked up and nodded to his other bodyguard, Bull, who stood silently in the shadows. The other man stepped forward and threw a dagger, lodging it in Ox's throat. “I forgive you, but I am afraid that Bull does not. After all, my men have a reputation to uphold.” Mr. Neitzel turned and watched impassively as Ox struggled to speak, only to fall in a bloody heap upon the floor.

 

“I hope you gentlemen do not fail me again,” he said in a low voice. Goshinki and Muso shook their heads and gulped out a “No sir!”

 

“Very well. You are dismissed.” Mr. Neitzel waved his hand imperiously. “Oh, by the way, take this trash out with you.” With that, Mr. Neitzel left the library, Bull following close behind.

 

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Muso sat in his darkened room, the events from that afternoon replaying in his head. “I can't do this anymore,” he said softly to himself. Making a decision, he grabbed his jacket and quietly left the room, trying to keep from waking Goshinki who lay dozing in front of the television.

 

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Kagome had just tucked Rin into bed and was shutting the bedroom door when she heard her cell phone ring. Grabbing it off the table, she saw that it was from her contact, Hebi.

 

Flipping it open, Kagome answered, “Hey Hebi, what's up?”

 

`Hey Kags, there is someone here you really need to talk to right away.' Hebi's voice held a seriousness that Kagome was not used to hearing from the young man.

 

“Who is it? What do they want?” Kagome saw Inuyasha and Sesshomaru come into the room, drawn by the ringing of her phone.

 

`He claims to know what happened to the missing residents and about the attack at your place.' Kagome paled. The attack at the house was not common knowledge; only the police and they knew about it, wanting to keep it quiet for security reasons.

 

“Where are you, Hebi?” Kagome scribbled the address down as it was given to her. “I will be there as soon as I can.” Kagome hung up and turned to the two men who stood expectantly behind her.

 

“I think we may have a major break in the story,” she said in excitement.

 

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Sesshomaru parked the car in front of an old warehouse and looked around. He did not like the ominous feeling he was getting from the area. Kagome was in the process of getting out of the car when he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

 

“Kagome, I think we need to bring the police in on this. I really don't like the idea of you being here.” Inuyasha nodded his agreement from where he sat.

 

Kagome smiled and covered his hand with her own. “No police until we see what this man has to say. Hebi and his friends will be there, as well as you two. Everything will be fine.”

 

Sesshomaru sighed, but allowed Kagome to get out of the car. Inuyasha quickly took his place beside her, while Sesshomaru followed a short distance behind, keeping a hand on the gun he had brought with him. He tensed as a man opened a side door, only relaxing slightly when Kagome greeted him.

 

“Here we are, Hebi. Where is this mystery person?” The young man looked at Inuyasha and Sesshomaru warily before nodding and leading them into a sparsely furnished room. Sesshomaru saw a haggard looking man sitting alone on a couch, his eyes constantly searching for threats. Scattered around the room were other young people, each of whom carried a dangerous air. These young people had the lone man on the couch under their direct observation.

 

“Is this him?” Kagome asked quietly. At Hebi's nod, she strode forth confidently and sat in front of the dark haired man.

 

“My name is Kagome. I hear that you have some information for me.”

 

The man nervously ran a hand through his hair, his eyes quickly shifting from Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, to the petite woman seated in front of him.

 

“Yeah, I do, but I want your promise that I will be placed into protective custody. Once they find out I have come to you, my life will be forfeit.” Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru, who nodded.

 

“Agreed. We will get you into protective custody in exchange for your information.”

 

The man nervously nodded and began his story. “My name is Muso, and I am, or should I say, was an enforcer for Onigumo Enterprises.” Inuyasha started at the name, Kagome and Sesshomaru listened closely as Muso told his tale: how he and his partner got rid of the homeowners who refused to sell; the botched attack upon Kagome; as well as the planned attack on the new children's shelter.

 

Kagome was busy taking notes. When Muso had finished his story, Sesshomaru asked if he knew who was buying the properties and why.

 

Muso shook his head. “All I know is that this Mr. Neitzel brought two of his goons to oversee the final stages, but he killed one off for shooting the wrong person.” Sesshomaru sat back, deep in thought; the name Neitzel seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't remember where he had heard it.

 

Inuyasha shifted in his seat, finally deciding to ask his question. “Who heads Onigumo Enterprises?”

 

Muso looked at him in mild surprise. He thought everyone knew who ran the vast business empire. “Kikyo Onigumo, of course.”

 

Kagome's pen dropped to the floor with a clatter. She and Inuyasha exchanged shocked glances and murmured “Kikyo…” together in nearly the same breath.

 

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TBC

 

A/N: Wow! A lot happened in this chapter, even though it was a little short. Muso defected; Kagome and Inuyasha found out that Kikyo is tied up in this mess. Sesshomaru is pondering where he had heard the name Neitzel. What will happen next? Review and find out!

 

Thank- you Breezie, for betaing this chapter for me! It is greatly appreciated.

 

As always, Read, Enjoy and Review!