InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Special delivery ❯ New horizons ( Chapter 41 )

Chapter 41: New horizons

 

 

A/N: Not much to say today… I just hope you'll enjoy the chapter.

 

Thank you to my amazing reviewers:

 

Sychotic

Soojinyeh

Kiari 13

Hellina-Bertinelli

Sesshkagufan13

 

90s gurl (Thanks, glad you liked it)

 

Once again thank you to Dogsfang for the nice PM.

 

 

On MediaMiner.org

 

Zetsuii (Oh Naraku is far from being down with his plans and yes poor Sesshy does deserve a big hug)

 

 

Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, Sesshy and Kagura would be happily mated and working on silver haired baby number three by now…

 

 

“Talking”

`Thoughts'

 

 

“Kagura dear would you like some help?” Mrs. Higurashi asked her daughter's friend who was actively working on making breakfast for the whole household. As a woman who prided herself in having always managed to keep the shrine that had been in her late husband's family for centuries in order, and a woman who knew how to treat her guests, Mrs. Hana Higurashi had to restrain herself from jumping in to help in the meal's preparation.

 

“No I'm good.” The wind sorceress smiled pushing a lock of her long dark hair out of her face; she was just getting used to wearing her hair unbound, and it still gave her some trouble. “You gave me and my daughter a roof to sleep under, so the least I could do is cook breakfast.” The wind sorceress added with a smile, not looking up from the omelet rolls she was making.

 

“Let her be. At least some young girls today still know how to cook a proper meal.” Kagome's grandfather snorted as he hungrily eyed the simmering miso soup on the stove. He did his best to suppress a smile from his lips. Ever since he had let Kagura know he enjoyed soup for breakfast, she had always made sure to have some on the menu for him.

 

“At least she does not use those dreadful instant foods you only need do add boiling water to. In my days every young woman knew how to cook...” He added wistfully, his large eyes resting on his granddaughter.

 

“Well I'm sorry for not living up to your expectations of what a perfect young woman is Ji-chan...” Kagome remarked with a pout as she looked down to Kanna, who was getting acquainted with her family cat Buyo. 'At least she isn't trying to dismember him.' She thought recalling the way Inuyasha had traumatized Buyo at their first meeting.

 

“Don't worry Kags, grandpa is always getting on my case about not being a fitting successor to take care of the shrine. All that because I decided to major in business and minor in religious studies. When really he should be glad I'm even going to college...” Souta chuckled as he picked up an apple and eagerly bit into it.

 

“Pfft you should be studying about how to respect your elders!” Matsu Higurashi retorted feigning outrage, even if everyone could see the amused glint in his eyes. He was after all proud of both of his son's children, and was extremely relieved Souta had accepted to take the shrine back.

 

“Oh grandfather enough for now. Please go sit down at the table, breakfast will be served soon. Now Souta instead of spoiling your appetite, why don't you set up the table? Kagome could help you as well.” Hana spoke with her soft voice. As soft as she may sound, no one ever dared go against Mrs. Higurashi's instructions.

 

Souta and Kagome quickly left the kitchen to fulfill their mother's request, and Matsu a scowl on his face went to settle down at the table.

 

“I apologize for my family, we can be quite a rowdy bunch sometimes.” The older woman said as she plucked Kanna from the ground. Even though for the first two days she had spent at the shrine, the little girl had been wary of all the new people surrounding her, she remembered what Shippou had told her about Kagome's family and had slowly started to warm up to them. On the other hand it had not taken long for Hana to get attached to both Kagura and Kanna.

 

“Nah. It feels good to be surrounded by an actual family. People who really care about each other...” Kagura said more to herself than to Mrs. Higurashi.

 

Kagura's words made Hana frown deeply. She was not sure what the wind sorceress and her daughter had gone through, but she instinctively felt like it had to be quite horrific. When Kagome had come home with Kagura and Kanna in tow, it had never occurred to Hana to turn them away, and she was happy she had not. A smile on her lips she smoothed a hand down Kanna's fair head.

 

“I know I've already asked a lot of you, but would you mind looking after Kanna after breakfast for a couple of hours? I'd ask Kagome, but she has work... I am going to go see an acquaintance about a possible job...” The wind sorceress explained while placing her dishes in serving plates.

 

“No trouble at all. Kanna is a real darling.” Hana smiled balancing the toddler at her hip before taking a hold of the bowl of soup destined to her father in law and heading towards the dining room.

 

“Thanks. All I have left to do is find a decent job.” Kagura smiled before adding to herself 'And a new place to live. I don't want to take advantage of the generosity of the Higurashi family.' As she placed the plate of eggs on the table, her eyes scanned the small dining table where Souta, Kagome and Matsu were seated a little too close for comfort.

 

“Not to mention that I need to start paying my boarding fee.” The wind sorceress said. Even if she had not intended to, her words were loud enough for Hana to hear.

 

“We already discussed this Kagura. You have no need to. You are Kagome's friend…” `Hum maybe I should agree. Kagome did warn me about Kagura's pride…' With a small sigh as she noticed the wind sorceress's frown Hana added aloud. “Well I guess we could come to some sort of an agreement. Ji-chan always needs a little help around the shrine. We were thinking about hiring a part time worker, but you might just be a nice fit. We could certainly work around your work schedule.”

 

“Thank you. I'd love that.” Kagura smiled brightly as she took Kanna from Mrs. Higurashi's arms, and placed her daughter in the high chair Souta had dragged from the attic.

 

`Yes everything will work out just great.' Hana smiled at her enlarged dinner table.

 

 

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000

 

 

“Oh how's my fave girl doing?” Kagura asked cheerfully as she stepped out of the bus. She repressed a curse when she almost dropped her cell phone in the process.

 

“Kagura?! You little witch! I didn't even know if you were alive or not.” The female voice retorted with a pout.

 

“I'm a tough girl; you should know I'd be fine. Though I'm sorry for not calling more often... then again a phone works both ways. No, Yura?” The wind sorceress smirked.

 

“Guess you're right.” Her former coworker at Tsubaki's coffee shop smiled genuinely happy to hear from Kagura. “So what's up? Did you leave town? Or did you manage to seduce that mysterious hot stranger to help you out?” The hair demoness asked.

 

“Hum... I'm still in town. And Sesshoumaru... I don't really want to get into it if you see what I mean....” Kagura trailed off, a sigh escaping her lips.

 

“Aw I'm sorry girl. From the looks of it you got with this Sesshoumaru guy and things didn't work out. See that's why I never violate rule number one: seduce them, use them, but don't fall in love...”

 

“Why don't we talk about you for a change!” Kagura cut her friend eager to distract her from the subject of Sesshoumaru. For the few days she had been separated from the dog demon, Kagura had truly realized how much of an important part of her life he had become, and how much his absence hurt her.

 

'Just yesterday I almost picked up my phone to mock Inuyasha and have some fun with Sessh at his brother's expense. I know Inuyasha's antics would have amused Sesshoumaru. I miss him so much.' Kagura thought feeling tears forming in her crimson orbs, and her throat tightening. 'Damn it! Since when am I so emotive?! I had genuine reasons for leaving Sesshoumaru... but it doesn't make it any less painful...'

 

“My love life is great. I got married... and before you ask questions. No, I don't love him. Yes, it's the guy who brought me along his month long vacation. And yes, I couldn't be happier. The fool didn't even make me sign a prenuptial agreement. The only thing is that we had to move because of his new job, but this new city isn't so bad. Not to mention that the big bump in his paycheck is nice too” Yura explained as she put her phone on speaker and picked up a nearby hairbrush to run it through the long brown locks of the man lying next to her in bed.

 

“Wow... congratulations I guess...” Kagura said slightly disturbed by her friend's words. Even though she had yet to encounter a loving married couple, the wind sorceress knew she wouldn't want anything less in her life. She then decided to change the topic of conversation to the reason she had decided to call Yura in the first place. “Say `Mrs. I just got married', since you moved out whatever happened to your apartment? I am in need of a place to stay...”

 

“Hum how come you only call me when you're in need of a place to stay?” Yura joked smiling as she admired the silky texture of the man's brown hair.

 

“The way you make it sound... I'm not trying to use you...” Kagura's lips formed into a pout as she reached her destination.

 

“Don't apologize. It's all good. You know I'm here to help you in any way I can. Unfortunately my dear hubby asked me to give up my apartment. Had you asked me before, I'd have kept it for you, but since you were MIA... Then again last I heard the apartment was still empty I'll text you the phone number of the landlady.” The hair demoness said feeling bad for her friend.

 

“Thanks that'd be great. I have a job interview in five minutes, and if I manage to get a good enough job, I should be able to afford it.” The wind sorceress smiled.

 

“Good luck girl. Call me soon again so we can catch up.” Yura smiled as she reached over to her phone placed on her bedside table. After ending the call, she reached back for her husband's hair.

 

“So I am a fool for loving you enough not to have you sign a prenup?” The tiger demon asked a grin revealing his large teeth on his lips as he let Yura brush his long hair, which he had recently decided to grow for her sole enjoyment.

 

“Of course.” She retorted letting go of the brush to gently comb his hair with her fingers.

 

“I see. Oh and what is this nonsense about you not loving me?” He asked turning around to face his wife, green eyes filled with amusement.

 

“I don't!” She snapped averting her gaze from his.

 

“Liar. All I have to do is touch you, and your pulse goes crazy.” He leaned over her to press a kiss to her neck.

 

“That's not love it's lust and it's all I have for you! I don't love you. I'm a practical woman, and I only married you for your money.” She squealed like a schoolgirl in surprise when he pounced on her, flattening her small frame on their bed.

 

The tiger demon didn't even bother arguing with her, after all they both knew she was lying blatantly.

 

 

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000

 

 

After hanging up from her phone call with Yura, Kagura took a deep breath. A plan of action was now forming in her head. But first she knew she would need to get a job.

 

“Guess it does start here.” She said aloud looking up at the sign indicating the young mother center. “Been a long time.” She muttered to herself.

 

“Hello I am Kagura Onigumo, here for an interview with Bankotsu.” The wind sorceress introduced herself to the receptionist.

 

“Ah yes, but actually Bankotsu is teaching a class right now, but Jakotsu is available to see you. Give me a second…” The pretty young woman smiled warmly. Kagura knew that her smile was to make the nervous young mothers coming to the center for help be able to relax. The young and equally pretty receptionist who used to work at the time Kagura benefited from the help of the center also had a warming smile able to chase away all the discomfort, nervousness and fear the wind sorceress used to have.

 

“No need to fetch me, I am here.” Jakotsu appeared a broad grin on his lips. “Kagura a delight to see you again. Too bad you didn't bring Kanna.” The young man said a half smile on his red painted lips as he walked towards Kagura. He was known for his exuberant personality, his affection for children and despite his profession, professed hatred of women.

 

“Well yesterday I called about a possible job, and Bankotsu told me to drop in for an interview... so here I am” The wind witch said eagerly. The young mother center was one of the few places she had applied for along with a small bookstore near the Higurashi shrine, and a small restaurant. Based on the reaction of the employee of the bookstore at seeing her slim resume, since she had decided not to include the months she had worked for Sesshoumaru, Kagura already knew she would not be working there. She had yet to go through an interview at the restaurant, but she was confident since she had a lot of experience in waitressing. Her only fear was that after seeing her resume, the people of the restaurant would actually call Tsubaki, who Kagura was sure would not have only nice things to say about her.

 

“An interview?” Jakotsu gasped seemingly appalled. “There's no need for that.”

 

Kagura's mood dampened even if her smile did not falter. `Damn I always knew I got along better with Bankotsu. I surely would have gotten a job if he was the one doing the interview.'

 

“Well if we consider the fact that we were looking into hiring a part time morning employee, that you've taken most of our classes, and that thanks to your help the morale around here has gone up. That survey thingy you set up actually helped out the self esteem of a lot of young mothers.” Jakotsu remarked. The absence of smile on his lips did not betray how inside he truly felt warm and grateful. He did after all have a reputation to maintain. Everyone thought Bankotsu to be the joyful, more open one, while Jakotsu was thought of as being the cruel and harder half of the couple.

 

“Do you mean I'm hired?” The wind sorceress smiled brightly, a sense of relief washing over her. Things were finally looking up for her.

 

“Be here tomorrow morning at eight o'clock sharp.” Jakotsu answered before spinning on his heeled boots and taking his leave.

 

 

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000

 

 

Sesshoumaru's sharp golden eyes rested on the most offending thing he had ever seen; the black leather bound notebook he had stolen from Naraku, the one which contained the names of all of the clients and employees of the spider half demon's brothel. Ever since the dog demon had acquired it a week and a half ago, he could not bring himself to actually open it and look inside.

 

`How many times does the name of Kaze come up? How many of Naraku's clients was she forced to have sex with? Three? Thirty? Three hundred?! God how long has she even started working there? Knowing Naraku probably since she was young…' Only thinking about Kagura's past life made a sick feeling rise inside Sesshoumaru. He shook his head to rid himself of his disturbing thoughts when he felt the taste of bile rise in his throat.

 

`I'd rather not think about this.' The dog demon thought rubbing a tired hand over his knitted brows. For the past seven days he had been debating about whether to open the notebook or not. The question had been weighing so much on his mind that it had actually offered some sort of distraction to the fact that Kagura and Kanna had left, but not a reprieve what's so ever. It was to his dismay only after the two had left that Sesshoumaru realized how much they had meant to him.

 

“I hope the both of them are doing well.” The dog demon thought just as he felt his cell phone ring. Considering that it was in the middle of the afternoon, he knew who was at the other end of the line.

 

“Time for your daily update.” The dispassionate voice of Inuyasha sighed.

 

“Get to the point little brother.” Sesshoumaru retorted turning around to face away from the notebook on his office desk, preferring to look through his large windows at the beautiful scenery.

 

“From what Kagome told me, Kagura's job at that center for babies or whatever is going well. She also got a waitressing position in a restaurant. She works there at night.” The half dog demon said. He did not like telling his older half brother about the details of Kagura's life, but he had been doing so for the past week. A part of him knew that had the positions been reversed, he would want Sesshoumaru to fill him in about the happenings in Kagome's life.

 

“Two jobs? That is a lot…” Sesshoumaru murmured more to himself than to his brother. He knew that Kagura would never accept his help especially on the monetary aspect, but he had hoped that if things got too bad for her, she would come to him.

 

“From what I gathered she's looking into moving out of the shrine very soon. Guess now she has enough money for the deposit and stuff…” Inuyasha said a clawed finger gently scratching the back of his ear.

 

“Is there anything else?” Sesshoumaru asked mulling over the information he had just gotten.

 

“There's a family dinner at the shrine on Sunday in three weeks. Mrs. Higurashi is throwing it to celebrate my engagement to Kagome. Maybe you'd like to come. Kagura and Kanna will be there…” The two Takahashis knew that even if the fact that Inuyasha wanted his brother to partake in a family celebration for his upcoming nuptials, the occasion was more of an excuse for Sesshoumaru to see the wind sorceress and void demoness.

 

As his brother's words Sesshoumaru took a deep breath. The prospect of seeing Kagura and her daughter was tempting. If the meeting was to take place at the shrine she also wouldn't get a chance to run out of the place.

 

“It's too soon. Knowing her Kagura needs a little more time.” The older brother said even if he wished it wasn't so. He also knew that he too needed a little time to himself to deal with all the revelations Naraku had made. He turned around to face back at his desk, his eyes resting on the black notebook.

 

“Whatever. Just as long as you don't take too long…I am getting tired of spying for you…”

 

“Instead of worrying about my love life.” Sesshoumaru smiled when his brother made a gagging sound. “Worry about yours.” He completed. “By the way have you done as I asked you? Must I remind you that the time frame for the accomplishment of my plan is crucial?”

 

“Feh! I ain't dumb! I did as you asked, so did Miroku. Anyways you have other things to worry about. I mean you may be getting the business back on its feet, but don't go forgetting about your own life. Miroku is over the moon since Sango and him have been doing so well lately, and one love struck puppy is all I can handle.” With his last piece of advice Inuyasha hung up the phone.

 

“No need to worry, it won't be too long now.” Sesshoumaru put down his cell phone and reached inside a drawer of his desk for an ashtray and a lighter. He kept both at hand along with expensive cigars for some of his clients who knew how to enjoy a good Cuban.

 

Without batting an eye he picked up Naraku's black book and set it on fire. As he looked at the burning papers falling into the ashtray, he felt as if a heavy weight was lifted from his shoulders. He then realized that just like the secrets of Naraku he was making disappear, he could forget about Kagura's past.

 

`Now if only she could do the same.' He thought to himself as his sensitive nose was assaulted by the acrid scent of smoke.

 

 

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000

 

 

Naraku hummed a light tune under his breath. His original plan had not worked, but he had yet to use his ace. If he could not get any money from Kagura's boyfriend, he decided to then make the wind sorceress's life miserable.

 

`Quite a fitting trade off.' He thought to himself proudly.

 

His crimson eyes moved from the window of the Yuki tower to his half empty glass of gin just as he fished his cell phone out of his pocket.

 

“It is your beloved Naraku.” He said as soon as the person on the other line picked up the phone. He was clearly amused by the situation.

 

“What do you want? You promised not to call me anymore.” The female voice whispered. Based on the muffled sounds, Naraku inferred she was moving around, probably in search of privacy.

 

“I lied.” He shrugged.

 

“How much do you want this time?” The female voice sighed discontentedly. She knew her husband would not be happy at the prospect of signing another check to Naraku.

 

“Ha the roles will actually be reversed today. It is I who can do something for you.” He said lightly. `Yes she will be the perfect way to make Kagura suffer.'

 

“What is it?” She asked worried about what the dark hanyou would tell her.

 

“I can tell you where to find her.” His revelation made the voice of the demoness catch in her throat. She knew who he spoke about, and the possibility of obtaining the information made her heart quicken.

 

“You will have to do something for me in return.”

 

“I will do anything you want Naraku.” She said, and she meant it.

 

“Good. How soon can you meet me?” He asked.

 

 

 

To be continued…

 

A/N: Looks like somebody is back to his scheming ways. Next time a reunion between our favorite couple? We'll see in Left behind.