InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Romancing The Shikon ❯ Empezar ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: This in no way, shape, or form belongs under the legal ownership of myself or my nutty roommate. InuYasha and company belong to their creator, Rumiko Takahashi (a blessing in disguise, I'm sure). Just as the 80's movie `Romancing The Stone' belongs respectively to its creators.

 

A/N: I forgot to mention something rather important!! This fanfiction story is dedicated to my wonderful roommate, without whom I would not have been inspired to write this. (I'm not kidding, here—her name is Prerna, which translates to `Inspiration' in Hindi…go figure) Love you sweetie!!!!

 

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Her limbs felt considerably heavier than earlier. Kagome reasoned it had more to do with the fact of her wearing high heels than her actual plummeting mood. After all, San Francisco was a kaleidoscope of steep hills, and she had walked to as well as from a fair-distanced restaurant. Yeah…that had to be it.

 

She shrugged indifferently, mounting the final steps as she arrived at her hall on the third floor. In the end, it didn't matter whether it was fatigue or not. What she needed was a hot bath and some comfrey tea. Sighing at the comforting thought, she dug in her bag for her elusive apartment keys. Strangely, the lock didn't need turning as she twisted the it open with the fine metal. Had she forgotten to lock up? Worried, she let herself in, and let out a horrified gasp.

 

Bookshelves had been ransacked. Cushions and pillows from the couch were torn and weeping dry fluff. Countless glass memorabilia lay shattered in a mess of twisted picture frames and handicapped figurines. Claw marks were gashed across some of the furniture, across the countertop, and even a few chairs. Kami in heaven, what happened here?! Heart pounding, she strode hesitantly forward. The sudden thud of the door shutting made her heart leap into her throat. It became achingly clear that someone had broken into her apartment.

 

She felt weak in the knees, like someone had winded her with a punch in the gut. A muffled noise coming from what sounded like her bedroom made her freeze. Clarity stole across her shock-fogged mind. Was the thief still here? Lurking in the shadows…? Kagome's lunch felt like it was about to make a sickening reappearance, the hair on the nape of her neck prickled with fear. She shouldn't be here…she should leave. The thief could still be here…and she…wait, where was Buyo?

 

She felt a pang of dread for her cat, but realized she had to be the priority here. Besides, while the tabby was seriously overweight, he could really hold his own. Her heels clicked ominously against the wooden floor as she inched backward warily. She didn't want to draw any more attention to herself than necessary by making any rushed movements. Almost there…almost there…

 

Almost at once, a molted white and brown blur shot out from under the couch. Against her better judgment, Kagome let out a bloodcurdling scream.

 

However, a familiar yowl caused her to look down. Oh, thank the Kami, it was only Buyo!! She hurriedly scooped him up, cuddling her fat cat close as the tears began beading at the corners of her eyes.

 

 

“Oh, Buyo!! Sweetie, are you okay? What happened here…?” She knew very well what had happened. And what's more, she still might not be alone.

 

“Come on Buyo…we'll go to Kaede's…” She bustled to the door, nearly tripping over herself to get to the exit.

 

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Kagome's hands shook slightly as she tried to take a sip of the herbal tea Kaede had set down for her in a warm, porcelain mug. A comforting hand gently laid itself on her wrist, causing the young woman to glance up at the grandmotherly presence before her.

 

“Would ye be liking something to eat, child?” Despite her best efforts to pull herself together, Kagome felt her lower lip trembling as she attempted a smile.

 

“No thank you, Kaede-baachan. I'll be alright.” Giving her an empathetic look, which she strove to ignore, the elderly woman trundled past and took a seat across from her on the couch. It was a thoroughly cozy atmosphere; Kaede's taste being earthen toned colors with plush pillows and soft blankets. It was very homey, and oddly soothing to the romance novelist. Something she desperately needed, what with circumstances being what they were.

 

“I just don't understand it, Baachan…What could they possibly have been looking for?” Kaede shrugged unhappily, stroking the contented Buyo that had settled on her lap.

 

“Heaven only knows, child. Yet thank the Kami Buyo or yourself was not injured.” Kagome silently agreed. Yes, it could have been much, much worse. As it was, after fleeing to Kaede's room, they had phoned the police immediately. After combing through her apartment, discerning whether or not the perpetrator was still around, they had questioned her and taken photographic evidence.

 

Not that Kagome really thought that it would do any good. There was a one in a million chance of a criminal being caught after doing something like that. Burglaries were a petty crime: small fry for the criminal justice system. She doubted anything more would come of it. At the very least a locksmith was able to come shortly thereafter on late notice to repair the lock on her door. So that was a relief…

 

She carefully set her mug of tea down on the coffee table, pondering. Perhaps Kaede wouldn't mind if she stayed the night over…just in case….

 

A jarring ring tone suddenly cut through the silence, startling both women from their respective thoughts. Nervously, Kagome shuffled through her purse. She inspected her retrieved cell phone, frowning at the unavailable ID the display showed her. She answered hesitantly.

 

“ Hello?”

 

“Ka…Kagome?” A small voice crackled through the static. Relief flooded through Kagome at the familiar voice.

 

“Rin-chan! How are you….Are you—“ The younger girl cut her off suddenly, her voice edgy.

 

“Kagome…I'm…I'm in big trouble.” She frowned, the bottom dropping out of her stomach.

 

“What…what kind of trouble? Rin-chan, are you okay? What's going on?”

 

“I'm….I `ve…been….” Dull static assaulted her ears. And for a second she thought she had lost the call entirely. She could have screamed in frustration. But a small crest of relief washed through her as Rin's voice returned amid the long-distance crackle.

 

“I…I thought I was close to finding Souta….but…but They found me first.”

 

“Who? Who found you? What do you mean?” Kagome felt as though ice had begun to replace the blood in her veins. It was trickling toward her heart, freezing in a quiet panic.

 

“Souta…he sent you something. A map. You need to bring it to Columbia. It's what They want…” Kagome felt her eyes widen. A map! So that's what was in that odd parcel? She chanced a quick glance at the package, peeking from the depths of her bag. She had to take it where?! Rin's voice continued to swim in her ears.

 

“You need to bring Them the map…Bring it to the Hotel Cartagena, in Cartagena, Columbia….”

 

“Rin-chan,” Kagome cut in hesitantly, “I don't think I can make it to Columbia…” A shard of panic could be heard rising in her sister-in-law's voice.

 

“You've got to! Please, Kagome-chan! If you don't …They'll—“

 

“Just who are THEY?” Kagome snapped. She was worried. Very worried. In fact, she was certain that the edgy tone in her own voice was being caused by a rising hysteria. She could feel it bubbling in her throat. She fought to stamp it down. This was no time to lose her grip, especially when she felt like she was in a freefall. This was all too much, all at once.

 

“I've been kidnapped.” Rin deadpanned. Kagome felt as though she had just swallowed an oily liquid forgotten at the back of the refrigerator. It chilled her stomach and wrapped around her furiously beating heart. She thought she might throw up. From the corner of her eye, she distantly noticed how alarmed Kaede was.

 

“Rin-chan…” Kagome's voice cracked. Rin continued where she had left off, almost unabated.

 

“When you get to the Hotel Cartagena, call this number…”

 

“Wait!!” Kagome dived for a neglected pen that had been lying on the coffee table, scribbling furiously onto the palm of her hand because of the lack of paper.

 

“Repeat the number, Rin-chan.” Kagome breathed.

 

“…I—it's 645-5824…..”

 

“Okay, Rin-chan. I've got it, Kagome soothed albeit uneasily. “I'll be on a plane tonight, or early tomorrow at latest. I swear I'll be there. Okay? Just….just do what They say, and you'll be alright.” Kagome nearly crossed her fingers. Hoping, praying, that she was giving the younger girl good advice. Oh, Kami….she couldn't loose her too…!

 

“Oh, Kagome…thank—“ she was cut off, and replaced with a masculine, rumbling timbre laced with ill-intent. “Tell no one. Or you'll never see your precious little Rin again. Got it, wench?” Kagome nearly choked at the insult, and the line went dead. The pen she had been holding fell from her nerveless fingers.

 

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“Kagome, you're completely insane! You can't go to Columbia!” Kagome bristled at comment. But continued packing nonetheless.

 

 

“I don't exactly have a choice here, Yuka!” she hissed, rummaging through her drawers to pull out a few changes of underwear. Her publisher, and friend, glared at her severely. It was clear she was exasperated at her friend's behavior.

 

 

“Oh yes you most certainly do! I mean, you hate flying! And to Columbia—geez. Crime permeates the place. You'll be lucky enough not to be raped, let alone not wind up kidnapped or worse.” Kagome felt a pang at those last few words. She hadn't told Yuka the true reason behind her going to Columbia. In fact, she hadn't told any one. Even Kaede.

 

After the phone call, she had stuttered out that there was indeed an emergency, and that she needed to go. She lied and said she needed to see Rin. That there was news regarding what happened to Souta. But she had to leave within the next 24 hours. And could she possibly take care of Buyo for a week or so?

 

The lies spun, and her die cast, Kagome nearly hurtled out of the apartment and ran to her own. Setting Kaede up with cat food, Buyo's favorite squeaky toys, and his water dish. She then called up Yuka, begging her to get in touch with their mutual acquaintance, Eri. To state it briefly, Eri was an avid fan of Kagome's who worked at a sporting goods store, wherein hiking and camping gear were sold (among other things). When they had met at a book signing several months ago, they had instantly clicked. Since then, they had been to lunch a few times, and hiking one weekend. After the numerous autographs and meager favors (including sneak peeks at up-and-coming manuscripts for future books) Kagome knew she could, quite happily, grant her a favor.

 

 

 

She requested the two pick out the state-of-the-art hiker-type of camping knapsack money could buy. Preferably something weather proof and durable. A bewildered Yuka had arrived twenty or so minutes later, the promised bag in tow, commenting that Eri had used her employee discount and a few coupons besides that made the purchase virtually free. Being an assistant manager, Eri could have that pull at times. Exactly what Kagome needed at a time like this. So here she was; ransacking her already messy apartment and packing up a big yellow backpack, Yuka following in her wake, clucking madly.

 

 

 

“ I mean, you get air-sick, sea-sick, car-sick, …..motion-sickness—Heck, Kagome, you get nauseous on the trolley sometimes!”

 

 

“Well…there are a lot of steep hills,” Kagome blustered, fastening up the last of her clothes. She decided against taking any valuables with her. She firmly decided she would only take what she could stand to lose. Just in case….

 

 

 

“Okay, point there old girl. But then how do you explain the escalator over at Bed Bath & Beyond?”

 

 

“I—I had the flu that day. It was only natural…”

 

 

“Bullshit, Kagome.” Yuka snorted, throwing her hands up in defeat, “Fine, if I can't talk you out of this, just—just promise me you'll be careful, okay? Keep my cell number. If anything—and I mean anything happens, don't be afraid to call. Here, I'll stuff it in your yellow monstrosity, there…” Kagome rolled her eyes slightly, shouldering her bag as the other woman stepped behind her to do as she stated..

 

 

“It's not a monstrosity, Yuka-chan…” Yuka snorted, zipping up the bag as she did so, sidling into view once again.

 

 

“Could have fooled me. Looks like it swallowed a canary. It darn well better be top of the line for it to be that garish color. By the way, I also stuffed some liquor in there.” Kagome's eyes widened.

 

 

“Yuka-chan!” her publisher snorted impatiently, hustling her out of the apartment.

 

 

 

“You're gonna need it, honey.Besides, they're in little travel-sized bottles. They should pass the 3 ounce qualifications,” she commented lightly, locking up for her client. She had readily agreed when Kagome requested she keep a hold of her apartment keys until she returned. They strode down the stairs together, toward the taxi waiting outdoors that would take Kagome to the airport.

 

 

“Call me when you get there, okay? And Kagome…” She grabbed her friend's wrist before she could enter the cab, “when you get to the airport…”

 

 

 

“Yeah…?”

 

 

“Go to the book section of the gift shop and get yourself a fucking Spanish book. Promise?” Kagome blinked, a smile cracking its way onto her face. Despite the direness of her entire situation, she couldn't help it.

 

 

“Promise.” She smiled back at Yuka, for what she hoped wouldn't be the last time. With that, she slammed the door and was off. Watching dark silhouette of a wavingYuka fade into the twilight shadowing her building.

 

 

 

 

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A/N: Eh…short chapter, I know. But I just wanted to get the setting underway. That and it's currently 4 in the morning and I should probably get some sleep…

 

Please review!!