InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nightwalker ❯ Unlocked ( Chapter 32 )

I've gotten reviews in the past asking for a picture of Narek. Sadly, I'm not very good at drawing guys, so I've been trying to find pictures that might be close to the Narek I see in my mind. Again, sadly, I couldn't find any. So if there's anyone out there who wants to draw Narek just to show what he looks like or what you think he looks like feel free. I would've done it myself if I was able to draw men…oh and please tell me if a picture has been drawn, I'd like to see it.

 

In other news, I ALMOST HAVE FOUR HUNDRED REVIEWS! *Does the happy dance.* I wonder who will snag 400. ^_^

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, nor will I take credit for Romiko Takahashi's genius.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part Thirty-Two: Unlocked

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He had been resting against a brick wall between the alleyways of a city he didn't really recognize. In fact, he tried not to think or remember where he was. He wished he could sleep, but having been awake for so long and hating the dreams that came with sleep, he found that drifting to the unconscious was impossible. Unable to move for fear of bringing more pain to his already tender condition, he had stayed there for hours. It would be sundown soon. Even though the alley was covered in shadows, he still felt like he was burning.

 

When the sun set he felt a presence next to him. He knew who it was, yet he refused to speak, believing he might break something else in him by doing so. He could feel her move to kneel next to him.

 

“You're getting reckless. To think all these years you've been precise and never wavered. Why now?” She asked as she lifted his arm.

 

“Lucy,” Narek wheezed, “why did you interfere?”

 

“I can't have you die yet boy, I still have use for you.” Narek didn't open his eye. He waited until Lucy was finished inspecting him. “What did he do to you?” She sighed.

 

“He took something.”

 

He felt her hand on her face. “Open you eyes.”

 

He did and he saw her suck in air through clenched teeth at his condition. “You brought this on yourself. Now hold still and let me see what I can do.”

 

Narek gave her a low chuckle. “It's rare that you would show compassion. Especially to me.”

 

Lucy ignored his quip. She ordered him to keep his eyes open and the next moment a searing pain cut into his skull. The pain only lasted an instant. When his vision cleared he heard Lucy say, “It looks like your eyes are refocusing.”

 

Narek laughed. “My eyes are refocusing.”

 

“Enough of your self-pity.” Came Lucy's emotionless voice. Narek glared at her.

 

“I've seen that the family is making another move. You'd best get back on track or all the work we've done over the years will be useless.”

 

“And you believe I can be victorious in my condition?”

 

“You're a schemer Narek, just like me. When you're not fighting, you're planning another's downfall. Don't disappoint me.” Lucy rose to a stand and, in an instant her, presence vanished. As Narek rose he said, “I'm not the only one who's a schemer.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claire lifted herself off the ground and stared at Kagome with wide eyes. Smirking, Kagome dusted off her shoulder. “Not to shabby if I do say so myself.” Kagome laughed. Standing and dusting off the dirt from her clothes, Claire folded her arms.

 

“Not too bad at all. Maybe it's time for me to step it up a notch, especially since you can knock me down when I'm going easy on you.” She chided.

 

Kagome wiggled her finger at Claire. “Bring it.”

 

In a moment they were off, hacking, jumping, slashing and cursing at each other. It would have been quite and entertaining match, Lilliana thought…if her mind wasn't elsewhere. She had brought Kagome out here for training. It was an excuse to keep herself from thinking too much. Consentrating on the short term, such as teaching Kagome how to be a nightwalker, kept her stressed mind in peace.

 

“How long have they been at it?” Rukiya asked as she appeared beside Lilliana.

 

“A couple hours. Kagome has yet to show signs of exhaustion. I'll give her one thing, she sure doesn't know when to give up.” Lilliana looked at Rukiya from the corner of her eyes and said, “So have Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru come back yet?”

 

Rukiya shook her head and took a deep breath. The forest they were standing smelled much better then the pollution down in LA. “So nice to be away from the city for a while. I will say that the mountains near the San Fernando Valley are very useful when you have a young nightwalker that wants to practice fighting. Not many humans out here.”

 

Lilliana clicked her teeth. “You're dodging the subject.”

 

“Oh? Well if you've noticed I guess there's no choice hiding it. Kouga sent a messenger to the house a little while ago. He asked to meet with Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. I came up here because they want the entire family to go, though I don't think I should interrupt when she's doing so well.” Rukiya said just as Kagome knocked Claire away from her.

 

“If only her power could come as easily as learning to fight.” Said Lilliana. Claire had gotten Kagome into a headlock. Stomping hard on Claire's foot, Kagome used her momentary flinch to un-pry her hands from her throat and hurl her into the ground. Claire placed a palm on the dirt, and aimed a kick at Kagome's throat as she flipped back onto her feet.

 

“That's enough you two.” Lilliana called. Claire and Kagome stopped fighting and directed their attention at her.

 

“Hey Rukiya.” Said Claire, while she whipped her forehead with her t-shirt.

 

Waving, Rukiya turned to Kagome. “Sesshoumaru wants us back at the house. Especially you.”

 

Kagome blinked. “Why would he want to see me?”

 

“One word: Kouga. And Claire, I think they might have a special task for you too. Something about knowing what to do with rogues.”

 

Within twenty minutes the four of them had rushed down the mountainside, through the city, and back into the house. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were waiting for them in the foyer when they arrived. Noticing that Kagura wasn't anywhere near, Kagome asked if something was wrong, and Sesshoumaru said, “She's waiting for us back at Kouga's club.”

 

“So what's so urgent?” Claire asked.

 

“We do not know yet. Kouga sent a messenger that asked for Inuyasha and I, but since it was Kagome's idea that we ask the rogues to scout for information I felt that she should come along to speak with him. I have a strange feeling that tells me I shouldn't separate the family for now.” Sesshoumaru said.

 

“So we're meeting at the club?” Lilliana asked. Sesshoumaru nodded exited the room. Just as Kagome was about to go out the door, she noticed that Inuyasha hadn't moved. He was standing in the foyer with his eyes pinned to a wall.

 

“Something wrong?” Kagome asked as the others left the house.

 

Inuyasha looked at her and shook his head. “I just hope that whatever news Kouga has for us is good news. I don't want to hear anything negative after things are finally starting to look up. I'm not one to believe in karma, but we've been through hell and back for the past few months. Can't things ever go smoothly?”

 

“We won't know what he wants to tell us till we get there anyway.” Kagome said. “Let's go or we'll be late.”

 

Inuyasha sighed. “Yeah.”

 

As Kagome followed him out the door, she found herself agreeing. Ever since she joined the family it had been one crisis after another and things had taken a turn for the absolute worse when Christiano died. At one time she had blamed herself for everything the family had gone through. She had been reckless as a human, but now she didn't have time for self-pity. Feeling sorry for herself wouldn't help them take down the King. Besides, seeing her upset made Inuyasha feel guilty and the last thing she needed was for him to put himself down.

 

When they arrived at Kouga's club, Kagome stuck close to Inuyasha and concentrated on his scent so she wouldn't smell the human males that were out in the town. She had come a long way since her first few weeks of being a nightwalker. She could finally look at Inuyasha without wanting to bite him every second and she could hold off her bloodlust for about two and a half days, but that didn't mean that she was resistant to every tempting scent that came her way. She knew it would take years to master her bloodlust completely, but Kagome hoped that she would at least be able to form some level of control soon. She didn't want to end up biting a human on a whim.

 

Inuyasha knocked on the back door to Kouga's club and the nightwalker on the other side, recognizing them from their previous visit, let them in. They wasted no time in going to the back room, but not before Kagome noticed that the club was closed that night. Once in the back room, they saw Rukiya, Lilliana and Claire standing beside the door that led to Kouga's private office. As Inuyasha and Kagome made their way to them, Kouga, Kagura and Sesshoumaru came out of the office.

 

“Now that all of you are together, I believe this meeting can start. Come in.” Kouga said. As the family walked in, Kouga e gestured to Ginta and told him to keep watch before he shut the door behind him.

 

“Make yourselves comfortable.” Kouga said while he sat down in his seat.

 

“Why the serious tone of voice Kouga?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Can it mut-ahem!” He glared at Inuyasha while he composed himself. Kagome put her hand on her mouth to hide her snicker.

 

“My scouts have spotted some interesting characters coming toward the city.” Kouga began, trying to keep his voice even.

 

“What kind of interesting characters?” Sesshoumaru crossed his arms.

 

“You don't know about the twins?” Said Kouga.

 

“Twins? Do you mean Jeromaru and Kageromaru?” Sesshoumaru asked.

 

“So you do know about them.”

 

“Who are they?” Inuyasha asked.

 

Sesshoumaru looked at his brother out of the corner of his eye before he turned to face his family. “We all know that Narek, Hakudoshi, and Fenrir were the king's best nightwalkers, but he has always kept two nightwalkers close to him at all times. That would be the twins: Jeromaru and Kageromaru. They are the king's bodyguards. I have never met them, but I have heard rumors of their devastating power.”

 

“Are they stronger then Narek?” Lilliana asked.

 

“I wouldn't know. I've never been able to gauge their strength. I've only heard of the terrors they do to families when the king lets them lose.” Sesshoumaru answered.

 

Nervous, Kagome bit her lower lip. She always thought that Narek was the one that came second to the king. Hearing that there were two nightwalkers that could be stronger and more terrible then Narek daunted her and made her dread whatever news Kouga had to tell them next.

 

“It's a good thing you know how dangerous they are. They will most likely be looking for your family. If the king has released them then it means he's probably serious. Also, from what I've heard from nightwalkers that were lucky enough to survive attacks from Jeromaru and Kageromaru, whenever the twins are near, it always means the nightwalker king is close by.” Kouga said gravely.

 

Kagome was uncertain if she should talk and, feeling foolish, she raised her hand. Sesshoumaru noticed her and gestured for her to come forward. “Kouga, do you think your nightwalkers could try and gather intelligence and see just where the king is hiding?”

 

Kouga blinked at her. “We could, but the king would most likely be guarded. There might be a lot of false information floating around.” Kouga placed a hand under his chin. “If we could interrogate a follower of the king's…hmm. But if the Death Blade is close by it might be difficult. He's very good at interfering.”

 

Kagome placed her hand on the desk. “Umm, Kouga, who's this `Death Blade?'”

 

“It's the name the rogue nightwalkers gave to one of the King's most loyal followers.” He answered.

 

Sesshoumaru and Kagura exchanged nervous looks. “There's another who's as dangerous as the twins?” Kagura asked.

 

“We don't know his name. He comes and goes quickly, and there are always casualties when he's near. He spreads around false information and kills anyone that does by chance gather intelligence that's true.” Kouga said.

 

“Do you know what he looks like?” Kagome asked.

 

Kouga touched Kagome's hand, and he was about to flirt in some way, but Kagome didn't hear what he said for an image of Narek filled her mind as she saw briefly into Kouga's memory. “Narek?” She said, pulling her hand away from the desk. “Narek is the Death Blade?” Kagome shuddered. “You mean he could be in the city too?”

 

“Good.” Said Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru, Lilliana and Rukiya's eyes darkened. “That means I can finally kill that fucker.”

 

Kouga stood from his seat. “How do you know this guy and the Death Blade are the same?” He asked.

 

“Well I…uh…” Kagome wondered if she should reveal her power or not, but luckily, Rukiya invaded her thoughts and told her to hold her tongue, letting Kagome know the family understood.

 

“I hope I get to see him this time.” Said Rukiya in low hiss. “I have a score to settle.”

 

“I don't know about your history with this guy, but he's VERY dangerous. He makes gathering intelligence a real problem, but there is one rogue nightwalker who is really able at gathering intelligence. He might be able to come up with some legit information.” Kouga said.

 

“Who would that be?” Kagome asked.

 

Kouga sighed, running his hand over his face. “Now this guy is the epitome of a rogue. He has no known family, he is hard to find, and he moves like a ghost.”

 

“What's his name?” Kagome asked.

 

“Alexander Seth Morrison.”

 

Claire let out a squeak so loud that everyone in the room turned to look at her. “You can't mean Xander!” She shouted.

 

“You know him?” Inuyasha tilted his head.

 

“Know him? I can't stand him!” Claire clicked her teeth.

 

Sesshoumaru turned to Claire. “Then we know who to send to speak with him.”

 

“What? No! I'd rather jump off a cliff!” Claire waved her arms and stomped her foot.

 

Ignoring her, Sesshoumaru asked Kouga, “Where can he be found?”

 

“Last time I checked he was wondering somewhere in the city.” Said Kouga.

 

“Oh, I can just hear him now! I bet if I walk around town for an hour he'll show his face! That jackass.” Claire huffed.

 

“Good.” Said Kagura. “Because tomorrow night, we're sending you to find him.”

 

Claire's eyes widened to the point that someone would think she were a lemur. She opened her mouth to say something but then abruptly turned and stomped out of the room. Sesshoumaru cleared his throat after she slammed the door behind her. “In any case, I believe my family has heard the most important news. I'd like to speak with you privately.”

 

Sensing that Sesshoumaru dismissed them, Lilliana, Inuyasha and Kagome turned to leave. “Don't leave the club.” Said Kagura as they reached the door.

 

Outside the office, Lilliana walked off to find Claire while Inuyasha turned to Kagome and said, “You shouldn't tell everyone about that power of yours.”

 

Looking around the room to see if any other nightwalker was listening, Kagome whispered, “So you knew that I saw Kouga's memory?”

 

Inuyasha looked about the room and pulled Kagome to a couch in the corner. The nightwalkers that belong to Kouga's family paid them no attention. By the door there were several nightwalkers standing beside Ginta. Kagome guessed they were guarding or listening to anything out of the ordinary. She hoped that Kouga's family was as cautious as he made them out to be, because her experience with their enemies was that they made their appearances at the worst of times.

 

Sitting down on the couch, Kagome was a little nervous to be discussing her power with so many nightwalkers in the room. They were people that were good at gathering intelligence after all.

 

“Is this really a good place to talk about this?” She asked Inuyasha, who had yet to sit down.

 

“Don't worry about that.” He replied, checking again to see if anyone was listening in. “You saw Narek in Kouga's thoughts?”

 

“That's who he was remembering at the time…at least I think so.” Kagome said. “That's the third time I was able to do it. I wish I knew what triggers it though.”

 

Inuyasha crossed his arms. “What do all your experiences with your power have in common?”

 

Kagome stared at Inuyasha. Maybe there was some secret to her ability to see memories. What did her experiences with the power all have in common, she thought. The first time it happened, she had wanted to save Lilliana's life. The second time, she wanted to relate to Inuyasha, and this time she had wanted to know who the Death Blade was. Perhaps it was her need to know something that fueled it, or perhaps it was curiosity or desperation. Maybe, Kagome paused, maybe she had to know what she wanted to see.

 

“Inuyasha, do you mind being my guinea pig?” She said.

 

He gave her his hand. Looking down to where she held Inuyasha's hand, Kagome closed her eyes and concentrated. After a few seconds, nothing happened and Kagome sighed. “Nothing.” She said. “I thought maybe knowing exactly what I want to see might be it. The last time I saw into your memory I wanted to understand why you hated the king so much, and with Kouga, I wanted to know who the Death Blade was. Now that I think about it, when I touched Lilliana, I wanted to know of a way to save her, but what I saw in her memory didn't really answer my question.”

 

“Maybe,” Inuyasha said, “maybe everything you saw were what we were remembering at the time.”

 

“So what are you thinking about now?” Kagome asked.

 

“About the meeting we just had.”

 

Kagome squeezed his fingers. I want to see that, she chanted in her mind, yet the picture didn't appear. Kagome sighed. Wasn't there any way of knowing how to use this power? Suddenly the world changed and Kagome almost let go of Inuyasha's hand, but something told her to hold on and she did.

 

She was standing on something high. When she looked down she noticed that she was standing on a mountain. With her nightwalker sight, she could see through the pitch-black darkness. There were large trees huddled together in a valley and the mountains' shadows loomed over them like a giant standing over a worm. The sight would have distracted Kagome if Inuyasha hadn't appeared beside her. “I knew I'd find you here.” She heard him say.

 

Following his line of vision, Kagome saw another person sitting at the edge of a cliff. Kagome glared at that person's back. She'd know him anywhere. Without saying anything, Narek rose to a stand and turned to face Inuyasha. “Oh did you.” He said.

 

“Sesshoumaru is starting to get annoyed with you wondering off all the time. Not to mention that you're making Rukiya worry about your sudden disappearances.” Inuyasha snapped at him.

 

Kagome blinked, not understanding why Inuyasha didn't show any hostility toward Narek, but then she remembered that Narek was once a member of their family. Narek turned his back on Inuyasha and said, “I have a lot on my mind.”

 

“And just what could you have on your mind that would cause you to ignore me?” Rukiya walked up the steep mountainside to stand next to Inuyasha.

 

Narek sighed when he saw her. “I'd rather not worry you with my problems.” He said.

 

“You worry me by not letting me comfort you. Narek, you're a part of our family now. You don't have to face your past alone.” Rukiya said.

 

Narek glared at Inuyasha. “If you really cared about my welfare, you'd let me return to my badland.”

 

Inuyasha sighed. “I cannot do that.”

 

“Why not?” Narek said. His voice was calm, yet the glare he directed at Inuyasha indicated his anger. “I have mastered moving in this body and learned to fully control my bloodlust and it has come to me naturally. Why won't you let me return to my homeland to help the people that are still suffering under the Turk's monstrous hands?”

 

Rukiya gave him a sympathetic look, pleading with him to understand. “Narek, you know that we cannot interfere with the human world.”

 

“So you'll let all those people die?” Narek hissed. “You're no better then those Turkish bastards!”

 

“Narek!” Rukiya growled. “We know that this goes far beyond then just helping your kinsmen. We know that your angry at the humans for what they did to you and we know you want revenge. It's too soon for you to return.”

 

“So you don't trust me.” Narek growled.

 

Kagome let go of Inuyasha's hand, not wanting to see anymore. She heard Inuyasha call her name, but she chose to ignore him. Narek had wanted to go back and help? That didn't make sense; he hated all humans. Even if getting revenge had been a hidden motive to return to his badland, what if he'd been telling the truth. Why hadn't the family let him return?

 

More importantly, Kagome thought, why had she seen that memory when she wanted to know of a way to summon her power at will. Narek's voice came into her thoughts. “It has come to me naturally.” Could it be that her power was trying to tell her something. Kagome would have laughed at that thought, but this time, she felt that it could be true. Could it be that she had to think like Narek? Things came naturally…

 

Did that mean that her power was more instinctual? Did she have to do it without really thinking, did she have to feel it, or did she have to initiate it like it was an everyday thing?

 

“Kagome? What did you see?” Inuyasha shook her shoulders.

 

Remembering he was there, Kagome grabbed hold of his hand again. “Let me try that again.”

 

The moment she touched him Kagome imagined, felt, herself seeing his memory and once again the world dropped from beneath her. She was standing on top of a billboard looking down into a bustling town. “Cool!” She heard someone say. It was Claire. She was standing beside Inuyasha on the billboard. “I've never been to New York City. Being a nightwalker is awesome!”

 

“Don't get too excited.” Inuyasha told her.

 

Kagome wanted to leave this memory and she did, returning to Kouga's club with a big smile plastered on her face. This time when Inuyasha questioned her, she couldn't help but say, “I did it! Inuyasha, I did it!”

 

“Did what? What did you see?”

 

“I just did it like it would happen and it did! This is great, I can see into-”

 

Inuyasha placed his hand on her mouth. “Will you slow down so I can understand?”

 

With the excitement of a child on her way to her first theme park, Kagome told Inuyasha how she had been thinking of a way to use her power and how that thought led her to see into Inuyasha's memory. She told him about how she had gotten a clue from Narek, and how she learned to tap into her power and see the memory of Inuyasha and Claire on the billboard.

 

“I've got to see if it works with anyone else!” Kagome said excitedly. “Umm.” Looking around the room she spotted Lilliana and Claire and rushed toward them.

 

“Lilliana, give me your hand.” Kagome almost yelled when she reached her.

 

“Why?” Said a surprised Lilliana.

 

“She wants to try out her power.” Inuyasha said as he came up behind her.

 

Lilliana looked at Kagome with a surprised expression. Kagome nodded with an expectant smile on her face. Giving Kagome a small grin, Lilliana placed her hand in Kagome's. Once again, Kagome put herself in the same state of mind, but this time she imagined Lilliana seeing the memory as well. Suddenly Kagome was standing in a flower field. In the distance, she saw Lilliana as a child. She was running after a little boy who was waving a flower crown over his head while an angry Lilliana tried to snatch the wreath back from him.

 

Pulling away from the memory, Kagome returned to the present to see the surprised look on Lilliana's face. “So you really can see it?” She said.

 

“Yes. Who was that boy you were running after?” Kagome asked.

 

“That was a friend from my childhood. His name was Ha…cop. Hacop!”

 

Inuyasha came forward with a bemused expression and Kagome and Claire watched while Lilliana fished into her pocket to pull out a picture. “Of course!” Lilliana said.

 

“What's up?” Asked Claire.

 

“I remember!” Lilliana extended her hand with the picture so that the three other could see. “This is Harut.” She pointed to the youngest boy in the photograph. “This is Aram, that's Hacop,” she said when she pointed to the second oldest. “This is my father's friend, Baghdasar and his wife Gayane.”

 

“And who's the oldest boy?” Kagome asked.

 

“Oh, he's N…” Lilliana stared at the oldest boy. “Norig.”

 

“Norig?” Inuyasha repeated, looking into the picture. He then looked at the serious expression on Lilliana's face. “Are you okay?”

 

“Huh?” Lilliana replaced her thoughtful expression with a smile. “Yes I'm fine. I just can't believe I remember that's all. The holes are starting to fill in. It feels weird.”

 

“So,” Kagome began, “that part of your memory that was missing, it's coming back?”

 

Lilliana nodded. “It's been coming back slowly in bits and pieces, but now that I remember the names of the people in this picture, I feel like it's like I never forgot. It just suddenly hit me.”

 

“Good job Kagome.” Inuyasha said.

 

Kagome blinked at him. “I didn't do anything?”

 

“Didn't your power kind of trigger it? Either way nice job learning how to use it. I'm impressed.”

 

Kagome blushed. “Well I must admit, I'm not too shabby.” She giggled.

 

“Don't let it go to your head though.” Inuyasha reminded her.

 

Kagome glared at him. “Excuse me? You were just complementing me. Way to ruin the moment Inuyasha.”

 

“Don't get mad at me when your overconfidence leads to pain.”

 

“Oh, you jackass. I should have known you didn't mean what you said.”

 

“You think I wasn't being serious! I just said not to get too cocky and here you-”

“Will you two knock it off, you're giving me a headache!” Claire huffed. “Look at you, fighting like a pair of teenagers. If I didn't know any better I'd say you guys were a pair of kids who didn't know how to complement their crushes.”

 

“What are you trying to say Claire?” Inuyasha snapped at her.

 

Lilliana giggled. Kagome wrinkled her nose at her. Before she could say something, Claire tapped her shoulder. “Hey, uh, Kagome. Do you know if there any way you have the power to erase memories too?” She asked.

 

“That's a good question.” Kagome said. “I don't know. If I do, I hope I don't discover it on accident. It would be terrible if I made someone forget something just because I don't know how far my power goes yet.”

 

“Then I suggest you be careful when you practice.” Inuyasha suggested. “If you are going to try and see if you can destroy memories, make sure you use enemies as your guinea pig.” He said with a satisfied smirk.

 

Kagome wanted to jump up and down in giddy happiness. “Oh, I like the sound of that.”

 

“While I'm glad you learned how to use your power, there are some memories I hope I don't re-experience.” Claire huffed. “Like meeting Xander for instance.”

 

“Why do you hate this guy so much?” Kagome asked.

 

“Oh, he drives me nuts. I can't believe I have to find him tomorrow.”

“Would you like me to come with you. It might be a good idea to travel in groups anyway.” Lilliana said.

 

“I'll come too. I'm curious to see what kind of person this guy is.” Kagome said.

 

“That makes me feel better.” Claire said, giving Kagome and Lilliana a hug.

 

Inuyasha turned away as the three of them embraced, not wanting to intrude. He looked at Kouga's office door and wondered what was taking his brother so long. It would be a stupid to go and see if they were still talking. Sesshoumaru hated when he interrupted and he was in too much of a good mood to have to deal with his brother's anger.

 

So he stood there, waiting with the girls until finally, Sesshoumaru, Kagura, and Rukiya exited the room. They stood by the door and spoke amongst themselves for a while before spotting Inuyasha and the others.

 

“Plans have been made for Kanna's family to sneak into the city and Kouga has agreed to spy for us.” Rukiya said as they got closer.

 

“What about Xander?” Claire asked. She bit her lower lip.

 

“Kouga said it might help for him to do some `snooping' for us. You're still to meet with him tomorrow.”

 

“Aw fu…damn.” Claire sighed.

 

“We should be heading back to our hideout. The sun will be up soon, and I need to rest if I'm to return here tomorrow and make more plans.” Kagura said.

 

“A wise decision. Let's go home.” Sesshoumaru seconded.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I can't believe I'm doing this!” Claire whined the next evening. Earlier that night she had been standing in the foyer with Kagome and Lilliana trying to stall and avoid going back to the town. Eventually, Kagura noticed them and scolded Claire. It took five minutes for her to finally get out of the house. She complained all the way to the city.

 

“Rotten, no good, stupid, playboy, idiot, filthy, dirty, snake, crazy, dumb, heartless, fat ass, pigheaded, jackass full of monkey poop!” Claire growled while she walked through the town.

 

“What did this guy do that makes you hate him so much?” Kagome asked.

 

“Wait till you meet him and you'll see for yourself.” Claire replied.

 

“Where could he be anyway. We've been walking for almost an hour and there's still no sign of him.” Lilliana said.

 

“Just wait, he'll pop up when we least expect it. That's how he is. Or we could just go to the closest nude bar. I bet he'd be there.”

 

Lilliana made a grunt of disgust. “That's the kind of man we're meeting?”

 

“Ew. What a sick pervert.” Kagome said.

 

Claire walked them through the city and waited. Kagome was beginning to see what Kouga meant. Xander was hard to find. After about an hour and twenty minutes of searching, there was still no sign of him. Was he even still in town? Eventually, Claire began to lead them through alleyways. Kagome was a little nervous as she followed Claire through the more shadier parts of Los Angeles. There were people on the streets, some huddled together near heaps of rags and old shopping carts. Some of the humans were in tents. Though she knew a they weren't something that could hurt her new body, it still made Kagome nervous to be in such a sketchy area.

 

“Um Claire?” She asked.

 

Lilliana, who didn't seem at all fazed by the location said, “Are you sure this is where Xander might be?”

 

“Oh, I just know he'll show his face soon. I can smell him.” Claire rounded a corner and went into an area between two buildings. Kagome had to hold her nose. Between the two grimy buildings there was one big dumpster that smelled like it hadn't been emptied in years. She just hoped that there weren't any bugs around.

 

“Xander get out here!” Claire called.

 

“What kind of person meets in a place like this?” Kagome squeaked from behind her hand.

 

“Xander that's who.” Claire said.

 

“You called?” A man jumped down from the roof. He landed beside the dumpster. He was a tall and thin nightwalker. He looked so young and if Kagome had to guess, she would say he was about seventeen or eighteen in human years. He had smooth, straight, layered, black hair that fell to his shoulders in a messy, un-brushed way. He wore several studs in his ear, and had a piercing on his lip and nostril. His black jeans were torn in several places while his black t-shirt had a skull and a sword on it. He also wore spiked bracelets and a few silver necklaces.

 

Lilliana tilted her head to the side and looked him up and down with a frown.

 

“Claire! Long time no see.” Xander smirked. Then he began looking around. “Yo, where's your creepy brother?”

 

“He's not here.” Claire hissed.

 

“That's good. I can finally ask you something.” Xander walked closer to them. He bent so that he was eye level with Claire. “You're cuter then ever. Wanna be my fuck buddy?”

 

Lilliana and Kagome's mouths dropped wide open. Kagome was about to slap Xander for saying such a thing but that was before Claire said, “Sorry, I don't do assholes.”

 

Xander made a disappointed face and leaned away. “Ouch. One of these days-”

 

“Don't count on it!” Claire hissed. Lilliana and Kagome made a move to say something but Claire put a hand up to silence them. “Let me deal with his jackass.” She said before she returned her attention to Xander. “Can you be serious for once?”

 

Xander shrugged. “I'm guessing you're here for business. What do you want?”

 

“I want you to see if you can find information about the nightwalker King's whereabouts. I also want you to find info about Jeromaru and Kageromaru. Any kind of weaknesses, history, whatever that can help us.”

 

“Information like that don't come cheap sweetheart. I better get compensated for putting my ass in danger like that. What do I get out of it?” Xander asked as he put his index finger under Claire's chin.

 

Smiling, Claire said, “How about I agree not to chop off your balls.” She said sweetly. “Because that sure sounds like a fair trade.”

 

Xander squinted and bared his teeth, taking a step back from her. “You're one bloodthirsty chick.” He said before he smiled. “But that's what I like about you. I'll contact you if I get anything, but I won't make any promises.”

 

“Good. I'll be going then.” Claire turned suddenly and led Kagome and Lilliana away.

 

As they walked away Lilliana said, “What a pig! I can't believe a man like him exists!”

 

“Tell me about it.” Said Claire. He made Kouga look like a saint and Inuyasha look like an angel, Kagome thought.

 

“Let's just go straight home before I go back there and beat the shit out of him.” Kagome said. With that, the three girls began sprinting back to their house, not once noticing that Xander watched them leave before walking further into the alleyway.

 

As Xander stood there contemplating his objective, he felt another nightwalker come into his alleyway. He knew that scent so he did not bother turning to face the other man. “I see you're still the leading source for information.” The person said.

 

Xander smirked. “That's my job. So, you're back on your feet then?”

 

The other nightwalker chuckled. “I'm not one to be on my back for too long…you should know why I'm here.”

 

Xander took a deep breath. “The family is making plans for a full assault on the nightwalker king. They've acquired help from some of the rogues and are planning to smuggle other nightwalkers in. Seems like it's time for you to carry out your master plan.”

 

“Nicely done. This goes without saying, but you should take extra care. Things are going to get a little messy in this city soon enough.” With that, Xander felt the other nightwalker take his leave.

 

Xander clicked his teeth. “You should watch your back too Narek.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…I really have nothing else to say. I'll fix up the spelling mistakes in the chapter later. Sorry about the mistakes.