InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Living The Promise ❯ Caught? ( Chapter 25 )

Chapter 25: Caught?

 

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Miroku sat on the couch and turned the small statuette over in his hands. Kagome had called and asked him to come by around lunchtime and take a look at Hojo's collection. Kaede was sitting beside him, having arrived earlier that morning in response to Kagome's call.

 

“The workmanship is remarkable! This appears to be made by the same artist who made the prayer beads; you can see part of his mark here on the bottom!” Miroku held the bottom of the small Buddha up to the light and showed the two women the faint mark.

 

“I was going through my library back at home for any reference of a temple in the general vicinity.” Kaede pulled out a small notebook and opened it. Kagome could see the pages were filled with neatly written notes. “I managed to find mention of a small temple that disappeared about the same time the area was hit with several large earthquakes. As far as I have been able to determine, the temple was never found and has since faded into obscurity.”

 

“I don't understand how you can `lose' a temple, even if there was an earthquake,” Kagome said in confusion.

 

Kaede chuckled. “It actually is not that difficult. Back at the time this temple was active, the village was still a good half day's travel by foot. Being isolated as it was, when the earthquake hit, it is probable that it may have fallen into a crevice only to have the crevice close back up in the following aftershocks.”

 

Kagome looked thoughtful at this idea. Miroku carefully set the statue down on the coffee table. “Kagome, I believe that you may have found the location of this missing temple. I would like to call my uncle and have him bring a team of priests and archaeologists down to the shelter and have them check everything out. If this is indeed the missing temple, the ramifications of this find are mind boggling.”

 

Kagome stifled a giggle at Miroku's enthusiasm. For someone who claimed he was never interested in becoming a monk, the thought of this temple sure excited him. She looked over at Kaede who nodded her agreement. “Okay Miroku, go ahead and do that. If they can confirm that we have found this missing temple, that will give me one of the missing pieces for my story.”

 

Kaede put her notebook away and left to check up on Rin, who had been playing out in the garden. Miroku stood and gathered his things. “I need to be getting back to Sango and Kanaye. I will call my uncle this afternoon and try to set something up by the end of the week. I will let you know what is going on.” Kagome stood and walked with her friend to the front door.

 

“Sounds good, thank-you Miroku. Give Sango a hug for me,” Kagome said as she opened the door for him.

 

“Of course, Kagome! I would do anything for you.” With one last promise to call her later, Miroku hopped into his car and pulled out just as Inuyasha drove up. Kagome saw him coming and waited at the door for him.

 

Inuyasha gave the now vanished car a confused look before smiling at his welcoming wife. Coming up the steps, he gave her a quick kiss hello. “What was his hurry? How did things go with your meeting?” he asked as Kagome led him into the house. She quickly related the events of the afternoon, ending with Miroku's excited departure.

 

Inuyasha was silent when Kagome finished her tale. She looked at him in surprise. “Well, aren't you going to say anything?”

 

Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. “What do you want me to say? I don't care about some missing temple; I am more concerned about this Neitzel character and Kikyo. I won't feel easy until the danger to you is over.”

 

“I may be able to alleviate some of your concern.” Inuyasha and Kagome jumped at Sesshomaru's unexpected voice. He stood in the hallway and beckoned them to accompany him into his study. Upon entering, they were greeted by a slender, brown-haired man of European descent. The man stood and held out his hand in greeting.

 

“Hello, my name is Jonas Blake. You must be Inuyasha and Kagome. I have heard a lot about you.” Kagome shook his hand with a smile while Inuyasha did so more warily.

 

“Who exactly are you and why are you here?” Inuyasha asked gruffly. Sesshomaru sighed and took a seat.

 

“Sit down, Inuyasha,” he said wearily. Inuyasha hesitated a moment before taking a seat next to Kagome. Jonas glanced at Sesshomaru as he too sat down.

 

“As you must have heard, this is Jonas Blake. He is a good friend of mine who happens to work in the International Intelligence Agency.”

 

Kagome gasped. “I thought your name sounded familiar! You were responsible for capturing that slavery ring in the Netherlands!” Jonas smiled and nodded.

 

“Yes, I was.” He looked over at Inuyasha, who still glared at him. “As for the reason I am here, Sesshomaru called me yesterday and asked me about Neitzel. My people and I have been after him for several years. He is the front man for a secretive group of men he calls his board of trustees. He is a lead suspect in several high-profile assassinations, smuggling, money laundering, terrorism, etc. You name it, he has probably done it. We were never able to bring charges against him as our informants usually wind up dead. When Sesshomaru indicated that Neitzel was here in Tokyo and that there was an informant in protective custody, my team and I hopped the next flight here.”

 

“So what makes this time any different than the others? How do you know that Neitzel won't give you the slip?” Inuyasha spat. He was quickly starting to become frustrated and wanted this Jonas to come to the point.

 

Jonas smiled at him, not at all bothered by Inuyasha's tone of voice. “Three reasons why this time is different. The first reason, we finally managed to infiltrate Neitzel's board of trustees and now have all of them in custody. The second reason is that Muso has been moved to a top secret location where he is currently giving his legal deposition…”

 

“I still don't see how this is any different than previous attempts to catch this wacko,” Inuyasha snapped. Kagome placed a calming hand on his arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.

 

Sesshomaru sighed as he put a hand to his head and rubbed at the headache that seemed to throb with every beat of his heart. “This is different for the very simple reason that Neitzel is now under arrest and will stand trial for his actions.”

 

Inuyasha's jaw fell open. Kagome asked for more details, which Jonas supplied after garnering a promise to hold the story for another few days to allow for time to solidify the case against Neitzel. Inuyasha remained silent as Jonas gave out the details of the gun fight with the fugitive and his resulting capture. When the story was completed to Kagome's satisfaction, Inuyasha asked the question that had been bothering him.

 

“What about Kikyo?”

 

Kagome looked at him and squeezed his hand. “Kikyo Onigumo has escaped capture for the time being,” Sesshomaru said softly. “She managed to escape before the police arrived. Her staff have been taken into custody and her holdings and assets have been seized. She has nowhere to go and no money. It should not be long before she too is captured.”

 

An uneasy silence fell in the room. “Do not underestimate Kikyo,” Inuyasha said quietly. “We did once before and it almost cost Kagome and I our lives. I will not make the same mistake again.”

 

Sesshomaru and Jonas exchanged looks. There was nothing they could really say in response. Inuyasha stood, pulling Kagome to her feet and left the room to the two men who could only stare after them.

 

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“Damn it Kagura! Let me in!” Kikyo continued to pound on the door of the rundown house, only to stumble forward when the door was suddenly opened.

 

“What the hell do you want? I told you that I wanted nothing more to do with this mess when you brought in Muso and Goshinki!” Kagura's red eyes flashed angrily as she glared at the woman standing in her doorway.

 

Kikyo pushed her out of the way and entered the little house, slamming the door shut and locking it behind her. Kagura was preparing to chew out her sister-in-law again when Kikyo slumped to the floor and hung her head loosely between her knees. Kagura stared at her in surprise.

 

“It is all gone…” Kikyo mumbled. Kagura couldn't believe her ears.

 

“What did you just say?” Kikyo looked up and Kagura saw the haunted look in the woman's eyes.

 

“The money, the house, the properties, all of it has been seized. Mr. Neitzel was captured early this morning and I barely escaped myself. I have nothing left.”

 

Kagura sunk down beside Kikyo. She had never liked the woman her brother had chosen, but she almost felt sorry for her now. “How did this happen?” she asked softly.

 

Kikyo gave a bitter laugh. “Muso turned traitor and turned us in.” Kikyo's voice hardened. “That bastard went to Kagome Taisho and spilled his guts. When Neitzel found out what had been revealed, he high-tailed it to the airport to make his escape. He was met by the police and the International Intelligence Agency and captured. I managed to sneak out as my house was being surrounded, only to find that all of the Onigumo Empire's assets had been seized.” Kikyo dropped her head again as she relayed her tale.

 

Kagura sat for a moment as she pondered the situation. “How do I know that you have not led the cops here yourself? I think that you should leave…” Kagura barely managed to avoid the fist that came flying at her.

 

“You bitch! You are only concerned with yourself! Don't you care that everything your brother worked for has been taken?” Kikyo hissed angrily.

 

Kagura sighed as she drew the angry woman into an embrace. Kikyo stiffened at the unfamiliar gesture before relaxing into it. Releasing Kikyo, Kagura sat back and studied her for a moment before asking, “What do you plan to do now?”

 

Kikyo wiped away a renegade tear and brought herself under control. Smiling evilly she said, “Listen closely; this is what we are going to do…”

 

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TBC

 

A/N: Uh oh, Kikyo and Kagura are planning something - that can't be good!

 

I hope that you liked this chapter. I struggled with it and I am still not happy with it, but didn't want to make you guys wait any longer for it. A huge thank-you to everyone who has reviewed my story to date; your comments are greatly appreciated!

 

As always, Read, Enjoy, and Review!