InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Living The Promise ❯ A Rose Leads the Way ( Chapter 30 )

Chapter 30: A Rose Leads the Way

 

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Kikyo was insane!

 

That was the only explanation that Kagura could come up with. Ever since Neitzel was apprehended and Kikyo's personal and business assets were seized, she had been a little off, a bit paranoid. But since the kidnapping of Kagome and the child, Kikyo had gotten worse.

 

Kagura would often hear Kikyo muttering and talking to herself. She had even heard Kikyo answer as if she were holding a conversation with someone. When Kagura ventured to ask who she was talking to, Kikyo looked at her as if she were crazy and replied “I am talking to Naraku, of course. Who else would I be talking to?” Kagura just shook her head and tried to keep out of her sister-in-law's way.

 

Keeping away from Kikyo was difficult. Her paranoia had gotten worse and she insisted that Kagura stay close beside her. It seemed that every time Kagura turned around, Kikyo was right there beside her. If she didn't know better, Kagura would have thought that Kikyo no longer trusted her; in fact, she was afraid that Kikyo suspected that she was having some major doubts about the entire mess.

 

It had been over a week since the kidnapping and Kagura was despairing of ever being able to inform someone of Kagome's location. She knew that if she didn't do something soon, that Kagome and Rin would not survive much longer.

 

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Kikyo walked down the hall and grabbed her keys. “I am going out for a bit to take care of some stuff. I will be back later.”

 

Kagura looked up from the television show she had been watching and nodded. “Do you need me to go with you?”

 

“No, that is okay. I will see you later.” Kikyo left, leaving Kagura to stare at the closed door in mild surprise.

 

“Now is my chance!” She quickly grabbed the phone and placed the call.

 

“Inuyasha speaking.”

 

“Meet me outside the children's shelter in forty minutes. I will take you to your wife and daughter. You must come alone.”

 

“Wait, who are you? Where is Kagome?”

 

“Forty minutes.” Kagura hung up the phone and grabbed her keys and ran to her car, not noticing when Kikyo's car started to follow her in the distance.

 

“You were right, Naraku. I should not have trusted that witch. Won't she be surprised when she finds our little present!” Kikyo giggled as she followed Kagura's car, staying far enough back so as to not draw attention to her pursuit.

 

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Inuyasha hung up the phone and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. He hadn't gotten much sleep during the past week, and he looked like crap. He looked at the phone and debated calling his brother but decided against it. If the woman was on the level, it may be his only chance to find Kagome and Rin.

 

He grabbed his keys and headed across town, forgetting to grab his cell phone off the kitchen table in his rush. The children's shelter was at least 30 minutes away, and that was with the traffic cooperating.

 

Inuyasha pulled up to the nearly completed children's shelter and parked his car. The area was deserted, considering it was the weekend. He looked at his watch and noted that he still had a few minutes remaining before his meeting. Getting out of his car, Inuyasha leaned against the hood and scanned the area for anyone. Minutes ticked by and Inuyasha rapidly grew frustrated. There was no sign of the person whom he was supposed to meet. He looked at his watch and found that ten minutes had gone by.

 

With a growl of frustration, Inuyasha pushed himself away from his car and started walking around the building. He had just completed one circuit around the shelter when he caught sight of a woman standing beside his car. Was this the woman?

 

“Are you Inuyasha?” He nodded and the woman breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“My name is Kagura. Come with me and I will take you to your family.”

 

Inuyasha stared at her for a moment. “Why should I trust you? How do you know where they are?”

 

Kagura nervously looked around, unable to shake the feeling that they were being watched. “I will tell you the whole story in the car. But for now, I am Kikyo's sister-in-law. She has gone off the deep end and I don't approve of the mess she has created. Now come on, let's go before Kikyo finds out!”

 

Inuyasha studied the woman in front of him for a long moment. He took in her nervousness, which was making him feel a little jumpy as well. “Okay, but we will take your car and you are driving. I want your hands in plain view at all times.” Kagura nodded her acceptance and the pair got into the small car and drove off, once again followed discretely by Kikyo's vehicle.

 

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Sesshomaru hung up the phone and quickly excused himself from the breakfast meeting he had been in and rushed out the door.

 

Rin had been found!

 

Minutes later, he burst through the station doors. “Where is she?” Sesshomaru demanded of the unlucky officer passing by.

 

An older officer, hair starting to gray at the temples came out and greeted Sesshomaru. “I have been waiting for you, Mr. Taisho. I am police chief Ryu Umemoto. Please come with me.” He led Sesshomaru into the break room and stood aside to allow him to enter the room first. Sesshomaru stepped inside, only to be tackled by a small body that immediately latched onto him and began to sob.

 

“Papa Sess, Rin was so scared!” Sesshomaru knelt down and hugged the child tightly, slightly surprised to find his eyes tearing up. He took a moment to study the small girl and frowned when he saw how thin and dirty she was.

 

Sesshomaru looked at the officers who hovered nearby and asked, “where did you find her? Where is Kagome?” He tried to stand back up, but Rin tightened her grip, so Sesshomaru picked her up and took a seat at the table where a plate with a few crumbs gave testament of Rin's meal.

 

With a nod from the chief, the officer who had been with Rin started to speak.

 

“Sir, my name is Ginta Ookami.” Sesshomaru recognized the last name from one of Inuyasha's friends.

 

“I was on my way in to work from out of town when I came upon Rin sitting beside the road.” Ginta pulled out a map and indicated where he had found the child.

 

“As you can see, there is very little out there. She told me who she was and that her mother needed help. I brought her here and we tried to call Inuyasha, but were unable to reach him. We then called you.”

 

Sesshomaru tightened his hold upon the now quiet child and looked at her thoughtfully. Rin rubbed a hand across her eyes and smiled sleepily up at him. The police chief smiled at the touching scene.

 

“We have people searching this area,” Officer Umemoto pointed out a ten mile radius surrounding the area where Rin was found, “but so far, we have not had any luck.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded his understanding. Rin yawned and rubbed at her eyes again. He could feel her relaxing into sleep and smiled tenderly down at her as she snuggled closer to him. Suddenly, she sat upright and reached into her pocket. Withdrawing the now rather smashed and wilted rose, she handed it to Sesshomaru.

 

“Here papa! I found this for you. There was a whole bunch of them in front of the house where mama is.” Sesshomaru thanked Rin and took the flower from her. With a satisfied smile, she snuggled back into Sesshomaru's arms and quickly fell asleep.

 

The chief and Ginta examined the lavender bloom; Ginta rapidly growing excited. “I think I know where Kagome is being kept!” He grabbed the map and pointed to an area just outside the search radius.

 

“My wife was friends with this old man by the name of Aramaki. He raised roses such as these. He died several years ago and his house had stood empty ever since. Emi said that he had the `most gorgeous' lavender rose bush she had ever seen out front and often wished to try and get a start from it for her own garden.”

 

Officer Umemoto got on the radio and sent several of the cars to that location.

 

Sesshomaru shifted the slumbering child in his arms and grabbed his cell phone. He placed a quick call. With a satisfied smile, he turned to the two men. “I will have a helicopter here in 5 minutes. I will go to get Kagome.” Ginta nodded.

 

“I have tried to get a hold of Inuyasha, but have not gotten any answer either at home or on his cell phone. If you'd like, I can call Ayame to come and get Rin.”

 

Sesshomaru looked down at the child and was torn. He really didn't want to take the girl with them, yet he was reluctant to let her out of his sight. As he was about to give his reply, a knock on the door interrupted them.

 

“I'm sorry sir, but there is an old woman by the name of Kaede out here demanding to see the girl. What do you want me to do with her?”

 

Sesshomaru stood to his feet with Rin sleeping soundly in his arms. “Take me to her.” The officer looked at the police chief for permission and swiftly led the way out front. Sesshomaru could hear his aunt berating some poor soul and had to hide a grin.

 

Kaede stopped as she caught sight of Sesshomaru and Rin and hurried over.

 

“Oh, thank goodness she's safe! Where is Kagome? Did you find her?”

 

“We haven't found her yet, but we think we know where she is. I am flying out in a few minutes to get her.” Sesshomaru gently transferred Rin into Kaede's arms.

 

“Do you know where Inuyasha is? He isn't answering his phone.” Kaede shook her head.

 

“No, I don't. I came home from the store and saw his car was gone and found the messages about Rin. His cell phone is laying on the kitchen table.”

 

“Of all the times to forget his phone…” Sesshomaru shook his head. “I want you to take Rin to my house and stay inside. You both should be safe there and I will call when we find Kagome.” Kaede opened her mouth to protest, only to nod in agreement.

 

“Very well.” She turned towards the door, but paused and said over her shoulder, “bring Kagome and the baby back safely.” Sesshomaru nodded.

 

“I will.”

 

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Kagome groaned as she opened her eyes. It took a moment before her eyes were able to focus. She lay quietly and realized that she was very thirsty. She moved her head to the side and saw the nearly empty water bottle sitting just beyond her reach. Moving very slowly, Kagome rolled onto her side and was finally able to reach the bottle. She brought it to her lips and eagerly swallowed the few teaspoons of tepid water, thinking nothing could taste sweeter.

 

Once the bottle was empty, Kagome sighed and allowed it to drop from her fingers. Even moving just that little bit exhausted her body. As she lay back, her thoughts turned to Rin. `I hope that she is okay! I don't like the idea of her being out there by herself, but anything is better than waiting here to die.' Thoughts of Rin, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru followed her as she fell asleep once again. In the distance the sound of a helicopter and sirens rapidly approached the silent farmhouse.

 

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TBC

 

A/N: Sorry for the long delay in getting this chapter posted. I am not totally satisfied with how it turned out, but didn't want to make you all wait any longer for it. I am already writing the next chapter, so I hope to have it posted soon. Thank-you for your patience and continued support! I hope that you enjoy this chapter.

 

Thank-you Breezie for your help!

 

As always, Read, Enjoy, and Review!