InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Agency ❯ Chapter 3
To all my reviewers: I'm very glad you are all enjoying it so much.
The Agency
Chapter 3
Kagome blinked. Inuyasha had left, taking the warmth of his body and the heat he was creating with him. She sat up slowly and touched her neck. It was still moist and warm where his mouth had been. What just happened and where had he gone? She looked around the room. She hadn't heard a door open or close so he hadn't retreated to his room or any other room for that matter. But then where? He had bolted so fast she hadn't had a chance to see.
Inuyasha leaned heavily in the balcony railing. A swift breeze pulled at his hair, causing it to toss and twist in the wind. He was grateful for such a current. It made clearing his head easier. What just happened? What possessed him to do that? He licked his lips and found he could still taste her. A shudder ran down his spine. What was she going to think of him? He'd just told her not to worry about a jackass like Kouga and then he had to go and…
"Inuyasha?" Kagome's voice asked. He tilted his head to see her standing in the doorway. She looked strangely surprised and confused. Her hand was rubbing gently at her neck. He quickly looked away, using his hair to hid his face.
"Kagome… I… I didn't… I mean… what I'm trying to say is… I'm sorry." He stumbled. He felt her move to him and place a hand on his shoulder.
"It's ok. No harm done." She said reassuringly. In one swift movement he had grabbed her hand away and turned to look her straight in the eyes.
"No. It's not ok. I had no right to touch you like that!" He snapped. After a moment he slumped slightly and released her before turning back to look over the city. "Look, I want to make it up to you."
"You don't have too…"
"I want to. How about dinner, somewhere nice, my treat." He replied firmly.
"If it will make you feel better…"
"It will." He said looking over his shoulder at her.
"Ok then."
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Inuya sha pulled out Kagome's chair for her and motioned for her to sit. He had been as good as his word. The restaurant was amazing. He had gotten a table very much like Sesshoumaru had done for them on her first day. It was completely private, set apart from the rest of the restaurant with velvet ropes and 'reserved' signs. Their table was set in a terrace garden complete with dance area and lit Koi pond. Kagome wore a form fitting black dress that ended six inches above her knee with spaghetti string straps that tied behind her head. Inuyasha was dressed in black pants and sports jacket over a white silk shirt.
"This is very nice." Kagome said softly as he took his seat opposite her.
"I'm glad." He smiled, "I'd like to apologize again for my actions this morning."
"Inuyasha, for the millionth time. It's ok. I forgive you." Kagome said in exasperation. He had been apologizing all day and was starting to really get on her nerves. "Why are you so hung up on this?"
"I just don't want you to think of me like I did my last partner." He replied softly.
"What do you mean?" Kagome asked. Inuyasha pursed his lips as if to think while they waited for the waiter to finish filling their water glasses and giving them their menus. Once they were again alone he began.
"You're my third partner so far Kagome. The first was Miroku. We graduated together and I guess someone thought we made a pretty good team." He paused and made as if to study his menu, "About six months ago they split us up in favor of giving us each a rookie female partner. Miroku got Sango and I got a girl by the name of Kikyo." He paused again and studied her.
"So…"
"Kagome, how much do you know about how the Agency assigns partners?"
"Uh… nothing really."
"Well, The Agency is very much a self sustaining entity. Staff wise anyway. Kids are born to parent that don't exist so therefore they do not exist either. There are some exceptions, like you for example. But for the most part, children join the Agency once they're old enough. Anyway, that's beside the point. Most of the time partners are assigned as male and female in hopes they will fall in love and have children. But it's not a requirement. Like Miroku's parents went to the academy together. Sesshoumaru's mom was an informant for my father before she died and he met my mother. Sango and her younger brother are descendants of a race of demon exterminators that goes back to the feudal era, and so on."
"Anyway, Kikyo and I really didn't get along. It wasn't that she was bad at her job, really more of a personality conflict. She was always so stiff and cold, a very high and mighty sort of person. She wasn't exactly emotionally stable either. But I had to put up with her. According to the Agency two people have to be partners for a full year before you can put in for a new partner, unless there are extenuating circumstances." Kagome stated to ask, "I'll get to that. Somehow Kikyo got it in her head that ALL partners fall in love. So she kept… well… for example, once I got out of the shower to find her sprawled out on my bed dressed in only her unmentionables." He shook his head as if to clear it. "Those sort of things happened all the time. I was almost glad when she shot me."
"She SHOT you!" Kagome almost yelled.
"Yep," He said, patting his chest over his heart, "Just about an inch above my heart. It gave me an excuse to get rid of her and get you instead." She smiled, "I just remember how it made me feel when she did those sort of things to me and I didn't want you to feel that way around me." He leaned close to her and smiled softly before adding in a voice just above a whisper, "I really like you Kagome. I don't want you to leave me." He reached out a grasped her hand gently. Kagome felt her heart flutter.
"Inuyasha…" She whispered as a blush crept lightly across her face. They stayed that way for a long time.
"Can I take your order?" The waiter interrupted. Inuyasha gave a soft growl.
"I'll have the Shrimp Linguine." He answered in annoyance as he pulled his hand away.
"The Chicken Spaghetti, please." Kagome said softly.
"Very good. And what wine?"
"Montepulciano d'Abruzzo."
"Very good sir." With that the waiter left. Kagome looked at him in surprise.
"What?"
"You know your wines. It just surprised me." Kagome confessed. Inuyasha chuckled.
"Once you have enough dinners with Sesshoumaru, you will too."
The rest of the evening passed without event. The two talked about things in general, the earlier moments forgotten. After dinner, Inuyasha took her hand and escorted her out on to the small dance floor. Four men with a violin, cello, bass, and viola appeared and began to play. He gave her a bright smile before taking her hand in his and placing his other hand on her hip. She smiled back and rested her hand on his forearm as they began to dance. They didn't speak; there was really no need to. Each understood the other. Neither was sure how long they had been dancing when Kagome's head dropped sleepily onto his shoulder.
"Kagome?" He asked softly. She muttered something incoherent in response. He wrapped an arm around her for support as he signaled the band to stop. They complied. Inuyasha was very thankful he had paid for all this before hand, trying to do so with a sleeping girl would be very difficult. The band packed up as he picked Kagome up bridle style and headed back towards the main restaurant.
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Inuyasha pushed Kagome's door open with his foot and walked in. Kagome was curled in his arms, still soundly asleep. She hadn't stirred since she fell asleep in his arms, not even when he had driven home, or unlocked the door to their home. Their home… when had he started thinking of it as such? He walked to her bed and lay her down. She curled into herself as he pulled away. He took a moment to take off her shoes before stepping back to think. He could wake her so she could change into sleep clothes or let her sleep as she was. She looked so peaceful, but she wouldn't sleep well in that dress.
"Inuyasha…" she muttered in her sleep. He blinked in surprise. She was dreaming about him. "Inu…yasha…don't leave…me…"
"I'm here Kagome. I won't leave you." He whispered back softly as he sat lightly on her bed.
"Stay…" she stirred and turned over.
"Stay where?"
"Stay…with me…"
"You're a little too asleep for me to comply with that." He replied softly. Her face contorted slightly.
"Inuyasha…sit…" He just blinked. Maybe he should wake her… Gently he took her shoulder and shook. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him. "Inuyasha? How did I get back here?"
"I carried you. Did you have a nice dream?"
"What are you talking about?" she asked as she tried to sit up on her bed.
"You called my name, told me not to leave, stay with you, and sit."
"Sit? Why would I tell you to sit?"
"Hell if I know. I woke you so you could change. Sleep well." He finished before leaving her.
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The next week went by without event. The pair woke, had breakfast, practiced, crashed to watch TV or play video games, Kagome would make lunch, and they would go out for the afternoon. Dinner varies between eating out and Kagome cooking. The events of and reasons behind their 'date' faded into the past. Inuyasha leaned back on the couch as he watched Kagome working intently on the newest Zelda game. She had gotten it the day it hit the shelves and had yet to play anything else.
His ear flickered at a sound just out side the door. It was a soft sound, far too soft for Kagome's ears. He looked back over his shoulder to see a folder slide under the door. Inuyasha stood and retrieved it. He flipped it over and scanned the contents.
"Oi, Kagome. We got work." He called. She paused her game and looked over at him with a pout.
"And I was about to beat the third boss too." She took a moment to save before looking back at him. "Do we have to see Kouga?"
"Afraid so." He replied. Inuyasha saw a look pass over her face. He frowned, stepped closed to her, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't let him even get close to you." He promised and gave her forehead a chaste kiss. She smiled and nodded.
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Kagome slid into the booth at the back of the diner and Inuyasha sat next to her. The waitress quickly arrived with their coffee. It wasn't long before Kouga showed up. He stopped next to the table and looked over the situation.
"What the hell do you think you're doing sitting next to my woman, dog-turd?"
"She isn't your woman and she asked me to. Now sit down and let's get to business." Kouga narrowed his eyes at them before sliding into the seat opposite. "We need info on a highway man, he's said to be attacking anyone who picks him up." Inuyasha said as he slid the envelope across the table. Kouga picked it up and examined the contains, the dark frown never leaving his face. He pursed his lips a pocketed the envelope.
"Yeah, it's pretty simple. The guy is a support to be 1/6 turtle demon. He's got a taste for human flesh that harkens back to the old days. Slow on his feet, but a very quick and accurate strike. And if he gets hold of you there will be hell to pay." With that he stood and walked out. They watched him go in silence before following.
The pair climbed into their gold Tahoe with out a word. Kagome fastened her seat belt as Inuyasha started the car and proceeded to drive like a maniac. They stayed silent as the half-demon dodged car along the freeway heading to the northern part of the city.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome asked softly.
"Yeah?"
"Do… do demons really eat humans?"
"Some do." He answered giving her a sideways look, "I'm not going to hurt you." He reassured softly.
"I know you won't." She said with a smile, "But would Kouga…" Inuyasha shook his head and chuckled.
"No, Kouga is interested in you as a woman not food. It's usually only low level demons that do that now a days." Kagome visibly slumped. "However, don't let your guard down around that wolf. He won't eat you, but he isn't above using you. I've seen many girls fall for him only to get their heart broken after he got what he wanted." Kagome nodded her understanding as they turned off the main road and onto a single lane highway.
"So what's the plan?" Kagome asked.
"Well… we can't make a scene. So we'll need to actually pick him up. Unfortunately that will put us in a confined space. We'll probably end up destroying another car. Also you need to unbuckle, I don't want you pinned to your seat when he gets in." Kagome nodded and unfastened her seat belt.
"You promise not to drive like the hounds of hell are chasing us?"
"Promise." He smiled as he too unfastened his seat belt. The half-demon gave her a bright smile before pushing the gas pedal all the way to the floor. Kagome squealed in protest and Inuyasha howled with laughter. He relaxed his foot and the SUV slowed to a more reasonable speed. "Oops." He grinned looking for all the world like it was no mistake.
"I am so not making you breakfast tomorrow." Kagome pouted.
"Awww, Kagome." He gave her his best puppy eyes, "But you're such a good cook. What will I do if I don't have your delicious cooking to wake me up in the morning?"
"Humph. You should have thought of that before… hey is that him?" Kagome pointed out the front wind at a man a little ways down the road. His clothing was dull and well worn and he lacked any shoes. The man's skin looked strange, seeming to have a sickly green tent to it and he stood slightly hunch-backed. He had a thick knotted black hair and reptilian facial features. He thumbed for a ride with over grown fingernails… that resembled Inuyasha's claws.
"I think so." Inuyasha agreed as he pulled to a stop next to the man and rolled down the window. "Hello friend, you goin' our way?"
"Sure… am." The man said very slowly.
"Well got in." Inuyasha invited. The man nodded and went to the back door of the car. He took his time getting in, and settling.
"Thanks… for… the… lift." He said slowly as Inuyasha started down the road again. "I'm… really… just… looking… for… a bite… to eat."
"Can we drop you off somewhere?" Kagome asked kindly. The man leaned forward.
"What… was… that? I'm… a little… hard… of hearing?" He leaned closed to Kagome and cupped his ear as if to catch her words more clearly.
"I asked if we could drop you off any where?" Kagome said turning back slightly. In that instant the man grabbed her throat. Inuyasha didn't even hesitate and punched the guy in the head. The man reeled, but kept a tight grip on Kagome's throat, his claws starting to dig into the flesh and draw blood. Inuyasha hit him again, sending his head into the window with a sickening crack, spider webbing the glass and tenting it red. But still didn't release Kagome. The young miko, for her part, was desperately clawing at his hand as her face started to turn blue. Suddenly her brow furrowed and she glowed soft pink. The turtle-man's hand began to burn, smoking and sizzling. He finally let go with a yelp of pain.
Inuyasha took the opening. In an instant he drew his sword and sliced the man vertically. Blood sprayed the back of the car, ruining the nice leather interior. Not that it particularly mattered. Inuyasha had managed to not only slice the man, but most of the car in half. Kagome wasn't sure how, but until this point her partner had managed to keep the car running straight and at an even speed. Now with the back axle cut in half, he pulled off the road rather ungracefully.
"You ok Kagome?" He asked instantly and leaned over to inspect her neck.
"Yeah, fine." She said reaching up and touched her neck. Wincing she pulled her hand away covered in blood. Inuyasha frowned.
"Let's get you home." He commanded. She nodded as they got out of the totaled car. Inuyasha took a quick look around to make sure no one was around before sweeping Kagome up bridle style and leapt into the air.
*********************************************************< P>Inuyasha landed on the balcony of their pent house with a grim look on his face. He gave the French doors a soft kick to open them. The demon only stopped when he came to couch and set Kagome down. He took a seat next to her and gently lifted her chin. The five puncture wounds at her throat were still bleeding. The hot liquid painted her neck and was soaking into her green fire-rat shirt.
"Hold still and trust me." He said firmly but gently. Before she could answer he dipped his head and licked her neck, gently drawing his tongue over the wounds. It stung a little at first but then turned soothing. The licking wasn't like what he had done the other day; it was more…dog like. After a minute he pulled away and examined her throat again. "I think I got them all. You better go clean up."
"What did you do?" Kagome asked rubbing her now slick but unhurt neck. She pulled her hand away to find it covered in blood and saliva.
"Healing saliva." He said getting up and heading for the kitchen. "It's a dog demon thing."
"That's useful." Kagome said as she headed for the shower. Inuyasha watched as she disappeared into her room. He poured himself a glass of milk and downed it slowly. Concentrated on the taste of the milk instead of the taste of Kagome. The sound of the shower being turned on was only making things harder. Closing his eyes and could almost see the water running over her naked body. Inuyasha sighed. He was going to need a shower himself now…a cold shower. He didn't even notice that Kagome had gotten out of the shower until she called out to him.
"Inuyasha…" she gasped weakly. He turned to find she holding on to the doorframe with one hand and holding her towel up with the other. Her face was flushed and she looked unhealthily pale. Her eyes seemed glazed and unseeing. "I don't… I don't feel… so good." Suddenly she fell. Inuyasha rushed to her, and only managed to catch her before she hit floor thanks to his demon speed.
"Kagome!" he called to her. As he settled her head in his lap. She was burning up and her scent was weak and sickly. How had she gotten to sick so quickly? She had been fine just a few minutes ago. She opened her eyes weakly and gave a soft groan. Inuyasha leaned close to her and sniffed. Poison. He could smell it coursing through her veins.