InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Price ❯ Obsessed ( Chapter 13 )

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha; Rumiko Takahashi and a large publishing conglomerate hold his leash.

 

A/N: A little bit of calm before the dragon-shit really hits the fan.

 

Rumiko Takahashi's new manga, Rin-ne, recently featured a story arc that highlighted the various life forms that reincarnations may experience, and the information fitted nicely into this chapter.

 

Bouquets to my CMAs, Forthright, Ranuel and SilverOnTheRose.

 

Warnings: Angst and a side serving of coarse language with a dash of partial nudity.

 

The Price

Chapter Thirteen: Obsessed

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Heavy… something's heavy… oof, so hot! Kagome reluctantly swam back to consciousness as her brain urgently insisted that she had to wake up and deal with something, now.

 

There was indeed something, or rather, someone pressing her into the mattress, his lean muscled frame wracked by shudders that she quickly identified as sobs. Completely baffled and instantly concerned, Kagome slid her arms up around Sha and hugged him tight. The anguished sounds and movements instantly stopped, but it was several long minutes of soothing caresses before the hanyou pulled back far enough to reveal suspiciously wet lashes. Laying her cool fingers on his damp, flushed cheek, she searched his stricken expression. Before she could speak, he kissed her with near-desperate urgency; when he finally let her breathe, Kagome managed to whisper, “What's wrong?”

 

His sorrowful golden eyes became even more clouded, and when he tried to speak, he had to swallow a few times before he could get the words out. “When I saw you go over the edge,” he painfully rasped, “I knew that no matter how hard I try… no matter how much I want… I can't stop Naraku from hurting you.” Overcome, he worked his arms beneath her and crushed her against him.

 

What am I supposed to say to that? Kagome tried to find something appropriate and reassuring to say, but came up empty. “Does that mean… we just give up?” she asked, icy fear making her shiver despite her pyjamas and the heat of his body.

 

“No!” Sha's jaw clenched, his expression one of pained determination. “As long as I'm breathing, I'll keep fighting to protect you.”

 

A lump rose in Kagome's throat but she managed to choke out, “Oh, Sha…” then gave up trying to say anything else in favour of showing him her feelings through a long, intense kiss. Her blood heated when the kiss deepened, turned from desperate to sensuous, until she was making needy little noises in the back of her throat.

 

They were both breathing hard when they parted, and Kagome's heartbeat instantly kicked up into a higher gear when Sha's mouth traced a path down to her collarbone, where he was stopped by the modest neckline of her pyjama top. Growling lightly in frustration, he kissed the delicate notch at the base of her throat before working his way back up to her lips.

 

Kagome was highly aware of Sha's erection pressing against her thigh, of the answering anxious flutter in her stomach as they kissed slowly and deeply. This might be my only chance… Working her hands in between them and fumbling with the buttons of her top, she managed to pop the top two before Sha realized what she was about and pushed himself up on his elbows, allowing her to finish the job. Blushing madly as nervousness overtook her, she let her hands drop to give the hanyou the next move.

 

He searched her suddenly-shy expression for several moments before he first dropped Tetsusaiga over the side of the bed and then slowly folded the soft fabric away from her skin, exposing her to his gaze. She found herself tensing in anticipation of his touch, but instead of going straight for an obvious erogenous zone, Sha simply embraced her, skin against skin. Kissing her tenderly, he hummed deep in his throat, the sound vibrating through her body. Her nerves calming from Sha's gentle attentions, Kagome hummed a little herself, and when they broke the kiss, she was pleased to see that the darkness had left his eyes… but it had been replaced by a more intense emotion.

 

“Eight hours ago, you weren't ready for this,” he murmured huskily, tracing circles on her bared shoulder with a careful claw-tip.

 

She smiled wryly. “Eight days ago, the most important thing on my mind was passing my courses, but a near-death experience has a way of organizing your priorities.”

 

“Are you sure you're okay with this?”

 

“As I was falling, I thought of the people that mattered to me, especially you, and I regretted that I hadn't shown you how much I appreciated your arrival in my life.” Swallowing hard, finding Sha's chin easier to look at than his eyes, she whispered, “If things go sideways tomorrow, they won't let me on the wheel of reincarnation if I have any regrets… and I want to come back to you as quickly as possible.”

 

“Kagome….”

 

“Well, not too soon. It'd suck if I was a turtle, or a mackerel, or something.” Her voice broke; biting back a sob, the tears began to flow.

 

Sha immediately kissed away the salty droplets. “Hush,” he murmured, his throat tight. “There has to be a way out of this mess. There has to be.” Gathering her close, he took her with him as he rolled onto his back. Sliding his hand under her loosened pyjama top, he began stroking her back in long, soothing sweeps.

 

“I-I'm so scared,” Kagome whimpered, her entire body trembling as she gave way to the fear of what might await her with the dawn. Sha's heart broke a little more as he tried to comfort her, but felt the same sense of helplessness. The storm subsided after a while; Kagome wiped her eyes and his chest with her sleeve before managing a weak chuckle. “You sound rather feline when you do that humming-thing.”

 

“You're calling me a cat?” he teasingly complained, but was taken aback when her eyes again filled with tears.

 

“Miss Buyo's purring was always the loudest when I was upset or stressed; I thought it was so nice that she seemed to understand exactly how I was feeling.” Taking a deep breath in an effort to control her voice, she continued, “She was injured because of me… because of the Jewel.”

 

Shuddering violently, Kagome hid her face in his throat. “I-I've killed with my own hands… Abihime, our guardsman… I didn't even know his name! And I'm sure that more guardsmen died tonight in the attack on the Shrine. I'm doomed… I'll come back as a brine shrimp.” Sha tightened his arms around her, struggling for words, but his blood turned to ice when she whispered, “It won't end until I'm d-dead.”

 

“Don't say that! Fuck, don't even think it!” he snarled, anger masking his pain, but the hot emotion instantly drained away at her muffled sob.

 

“I-I'm sorry… I'm having trouble thinking positive right now,” Kagome said in a very small voice.

 

Growling, Sha tucked her head under his chin. I have to be strong… for both of us. Thinking like a loser means I will lose her. Running his hands over her warm skin, he tried to come up with a rational plan and discarded all of them until something possibly reassuring occurred. Cautiously turning the idea around in his mind, he decided it was worthwhile considering. “If destiny, or karma, or whatever, has brought us together now, it must have been waiting for the right moment,” he began. “You and the Jewel, me and the Tetsusaiga… at least one piece was missing until now. You might've been reborn before, but without the Jewel, or maybe even in a different country.” As the girl in his arms went very still, he continued, “Last time, we didn't know who the enemy was, but this time, we do. Naraku's can't easily use the same shape-shifting shit on us because we're together most of the time, so his chances of turning us against each other are slim to nil. That's why he's been using others to do his dirty work for him.”

 

Kagome murmured, “This time has to be different.” Lifting her head, she gazed intently at the hanyou. “Do you trust me, Sha?”

 

He was plainly puzzled. “What do you mean?” Even as he said it, understanding dawned. “I get it… Naraku drove a wedge between Kikyo and me because we didn't trust each other enough.”

 

Kagome's eyes darkened. “You knew her for six months before he struck… me, only a week,” she said sadly. “That's hardly enough time….”

 

“It's more than enough, Kagome.” Sha brought up his hand to cup her cheek. “We've protected each other, accepted each other… believed in each other… yeah, it's only been a week, but we're already a team.” Holding her gaze, he firmly added, “We gotta move forward and think positive, or the bastard's beaten us without lifting a finger.” Stroking his claws through her hair, he encouraged her to again rest her head against his chest.

 

Sighing deeply, Kagome listened to his heartbeat for several moments before voicing another concern. “I-I'm worried about Sota… and Miss Mifune. They're involved because of the Jewel, too….”

 

“Not Miss Mifune,” Sha immediately replied. “She was grabbed because Naraku has a score to settle with Sess.”

 

“Then she's in even more danger than Sota!”

 

“Shhh,” he soothed, rubbing the agitated young woman's nape. “If even one hair on Miss Mifune's head is out of place, there won't be enough of Naraku left to fill one of your mother's teacups… and the bastard knows it. He wants power, not a funeral urn.” Shifting his grip, Sha rolled both of them onto their sides. Tucking the open fronts of Kagome's pyjamas back into place before cuddling her close, he added, “Your brother's pretty tough, for a human, and he's of no use to Naraku if he's dead, so he's probably fine. Roughed up, for sure, but alive.”

 

“I hope so,” she muttered fervently, burrowing into his arms.

 

Sha hummed deep in his throat while continuing to massage Kagome's neck with his thumb, his other hand resting comfortably on the curve of her hip. “Let's get some sleep,” he said, kissing the crown of her head while stifling a yawn. “It's gonna be a long day tomorrow, and we need to be able to think straight.” Kagome mumbled what sounded like an agreement and then reminded his other head of the intimacy that they almost enjoyed earlier when she thoroughly entwined her limbs with his, her breasts pressing against him through the soft fabric. His body reacted emphatically to her proximity; he wondered if she'd notice.

 

She'd noticed, all right, and was reminded of the reason why she'd unbuttoned her top in the first place. Gods, how do you ask someone if they want to… do that? Just straight out, I guess; I feel like a condemned man making his last request… a cigarette would be simpler, but I don't smoke. “Um, Sha?”

 

He nuzzled her hair, aware of her sudden and acute nervousness. She's working her way up to something upsetting again. “Yeah?”

 

“Er….”

 

“Uh-huh?”

 

“Wouldyoumakelovetome?”

 

Sha blinked rapidly. That's not what I expected! Kagome shifted restlessly in his arms and he quickly tried to figure out an appropriate response. Where the hell did that come from? Shit. My first chance to get laid in… well, a really fucking long time… and I have to take the high road. “You're not gonna die, so don't pressure yourself into doing something you're not ready for.”

 

“But….”

 

The hanyou sighed as he carefully ordered his thoughts and told his wildly cheering libido to shut up. “I don't think we should take that step… especially tonight.” The young woman went very still; before she could retreat, he continued, “Don't get me wrong… under different circumstances, I'll be more than willing….”

 

“But not now,” Kagome said dejectedly, starting to turn in on herself and away from Sha's rejection. I'm an idiot. Fumbling with the buttons, she refastened her bedclothes. I should've kept my big mouth shut.

 

Sha refused to let her close herself off. “I can tell by your scent that you're nervous, not aroused.” Forcing her chin up so that he could see her mortified expression, he gently said, “I'm saying `no' right now because of our situation, not because I don't want you.” Pulling her flush against him when she tried curling up into a defensive ball, he added, “I wouldn't enjoy our first time with all this shit going on, and I doubt you would, either.”

 

“I don't have enough experience to know if I would or not,” she waspishly retorted, trying to squirm free of his grip.

 

“You and your fiancé didn't…?” he couldn't help asking even as he thwarted her escape attempts.

 

“Hojo blushed when he held my hand, and a peck on the cheek was as far as things progressed before Gramps made me break it off.”

 

“Stop fighting me, Kagome,” Sha interjected, torn between amusement and concern as she redoubled her efforts to distance herself. “I'm not letting go… not now, not ever. Remember our `family motto'?”

 

She wrinkled her nose, but there was a hint of a smile in her voice when she muttered, “You are such a brat.” Slipping her arm around his waist, she exhaled gustily as she gave up resisting and mentally smacked herself for putting both of them through the wringer. He's right… what was I thinking? Sighing again, she acknowledged the fear that led to her request and had a small epiphany. I trust him… completely.

 

Alert to the changes in her scent as she calmed down and relaxed, Sha kissed her tenderly at first and then with more intensity as she willingly responded. “We'll get through this, Kagome… together,” he promised.

 

Kagome hugged him as close as she could. “Thank you for, um, being sensible when I wasn't.”

 

“No problem… just don't expect me to be so fucking `sensible' the next time you proposition me with your clothes half off.” Sha squeezed her tighter as she giggled, relieved that her scent had cleared. That was one helluva rollercoaster. This girl… life with her is never gonna be dull! I hope Sess has pulled some fantastic plan out of his ass, because I can't lose her.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

The aforementioned taiyoukai poked his aristocratic nose into their bedroom via the window at the crack of dawn, but was greeted by such a thoroughly malevolent glare that he retreated with measured haste.

 

I know he's got a flea up his tail, but I'm not moving from this spot for as long as possible. Settling back into the pillow, Sha smiled at Kagome's briefly-scrunched face as she snuggled into his shoulder. Remaining calm is the only way I'll survive today. Inhaling deeply of her warm scent, he realistically considered the likelihood of keeping his cool. Right, hanyou… if Naraku goes after her, all bets are fucking off. On that thought, he decided to try an experiment. Carefully notching up his youki one level at a time, he watched for the Jewel's reaction. Unlike the previous night, when the slightest increase brought immediate warning, he was able to introduce a small amount of jyaki before the Jewel flared to life. Musta burned itself out last night; either that, or Kagome is subconsciously controlling it in order to protect me.

 

Burying his nose in her hair, he resolutely thought about nothing in particular for a while until he heard the faint sounds of conversation downstairs and detected the fragrance of grilling fish. His ears and his nose twitching, Sha decided that it was time. It's still fucking early, considering the night we had, but it looks like we'll be chased out of bed fairly quickly anyways. There were dark circles marring the skin beneath Kagome's eyes, and he regretted even more having to awaken her. She's exhausted, but it'll be over soon. We'll sleep in tomorrow… hell, all fucking week if I can manage it! Sliding down the bedding until they were face-to-face, he began sprinkling kisses across her forehead and cheeks. When Kagome stirred, Sha lightly nipped her nose.

 

“Mmmph… too early,” she frowned without opening her eyes.

 

“Sess has already come knocking, and your mother's making breakfast,” he answered, nibbling delicately on her earlobe.

 

“Good for them.” Shivering from his attentions, she rubbed her cheek against his. “Wanna stay here… with you,” she clarified.

 

He flipped the blankets up over their heads, abruptly shrouding them in darkness. “Hide here under the covers until it all blows over?” Sha playfully suggested.

 

Kagome murmured, “If only…” before pulling him down for a long, sweet kiss that quickly heated up their cocoon.

 

“Whew!” As the quilts flew in the air and she giggled at his imitation of a surfacing whale, Sha admired the young woman's pretty smile and sparkling eyes… and was suddenly overcome by emotion. “I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe,” he promised, his voice rough.

 

The laughter died on her lips as she studied his face. “I know you will,” she whispered, kissing him softly. Their tender caresses continued until someone tapped lightly on the door. “Uhhh… er, y-yes?” Kagome called, reluctantly ending a particularly sensual kiss and squirming as Sha swirled his tongue over the delicate skin below her ear.

 

“Breakfast is ready, you sleepyheads,” answered Mrs. Higurashi through the panel. “There's already a crew outside cleaning up the courtyard!”

 

“We'll be, um, right down.”

 

“Speak for yourself,” Sha muttered in her ear, his breathing ragged and his body highly aroused. “I really don't wanna embarrass myself in front of your mother.” Throwing back the covers, he untangled himself from her and said, “Get out of here before I change my mind about being `sensible'.” Instead, Kagome threaded her fingers into his hair and rubbed his ears until he yanked her to him for a passionate kiss that quickly had her moaning into his mouth. Breaking the contact with an effort, Sha rasped, “Out… now,” and forcefully pushed himself away.

 

Kagome bit her lip as a little thrill went through her at the obvious effect she had on him, but rather than testing his control any further, she rolled off the bed and stood upright. Stepping over the pile of Sha's clothing, she picked up Tetsusaiga from where it had been unceremoniously discarded the night before. Laying the weapon on the sheets beside its owner, she gave the tattered hilt an affectionate pat before setting herself the task of looking for something to wear in the disordered room. “Darn! My sweatshirt is at the apartment,” she complained, sitting back on her heels after a brief search.

 

“That shade of yellow oughta be illegal,” Sha commented from the bed, where he lay on his back with one hand tucked comfortably under his head and the other lazily scratching his bare stomach as he watched her with hooded eyes. “I risk retinal damage every time you wear it.”

 

“Really? How about this one, then?” she blandly asked, holding up a fluorescent pink version.

 

“Shit, woman, you are colour blind!” he snorted, shading his face.

 

“Actually, I thought this might be suitable for you, since your clothes are kinda wrecked.” Cackling gleefully, she easily dodged the flung pillow. Tossing back the soft projectile, still laughing, Kagome gathered her clothing and went across the hall to her mother's room, but changed her mind when she saw the state of destruction. Guess what we'll be doing this morning… more clean-up! Mom must have slept downstairs. Returning to her room, she surprised Sha, who was now seated on the edge of the bed in his underwear and contemplating his dirty t-shirt with a jaundiced expression. “Sota has an over-sized hoody, and his sweatpants might fit you,” she offered. “They'll do until your clothes are washed.”

 

“Keh.” He wrapped a blanket around himself and stood up.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“To give you some privacy while you get dressed,” Sha shrugged, as if the answer should be obvious.

 

“It's, um, okay… I don't mind if you stay.”

 

“You sure?” A dark eyebrow arched.

 

Kagome lifted her chin. “Yes, I'm sure.” He merely grunted what sounded like an affirmative as he sat back down; she turned her back to him and began unbuttoning her top. Slipping out of the pink flannel, she peeked over her shoulder to see Sha looking fixedly out the window. “Er, is anything wrong?”

 

“I have a beautiful woman taking off her clothes in front of me but I can't pounce on her… other than that, no, nothing,” the hanyou sighed mournfully, not taking his eyes from the branches of the Goshinboku.

 

Kagome blushed and hastily dressed. “Um, okay… done. I'll go grab something for you.” Flashing Sha a quick smile, she again headed for the door. However, she paused on the threshold, her stomach twisting.

 

“What's wrong?” Sha instantly demanded, alerted by her scent.

 

“Reality sucks,” she whispered around the lump in her throat.

 

The hanyou stood up and held out a clawed hand. “C'mere.” When she laid her fingers across his palm, he pulled her into a fierce embrace. “Your brother's coming home, and we're gonna kick Naraku's ass back into whichever hell he crawled out of. It's gonna be a good day,” he declared, kissing her firmly.

 

Buoyed by his optimism and more than a little breathless from the kiss, she promised, “I'll be right back,” with a smile.

 

Sha ran his claws through the length of her hair before releasing her, but he retained a hold on a single lock, allowing it to slip slowly through his fingers as she backed up. “Nothing girly,” he warned, tugging lightly before letting go.

 

“Maybe you'd prefer one of Grandpa's kimono instead?”

 

“Maybe you'd prefer a smack on the butt?”

 

Kagome blew him a kiss before descending the stairs. Making sure the entry was clear of anyone who might require morning greetings, she darted down the hallway to Sota's room, where she was brought up short by the familiar tumbled mess… except for the neatly-made bed that revealed her mother's presence. “He's coming back,” she said out loud, her voice shaking despite the brave words, and began searching for clean clothing.

 

After a few fruitless minutes, she lowered her standards in favour of `relatively clean' items. Sha likes the way I smell, but I'm not so sure if that extends to Sota! Finally extracting a pair of track pants and zippered sweatshirt from a pile next to Sota's desk, she headed back upstairs.

 

“Kagome?” Mrs. Higurashi called from the kitchen.

 

“Just borrowing some clothes for Sha,” she replied. “Be right down!”

 

Her hanyou was waiting for her; as she entered the room, he dropped the blanket. “Oh, that's not fair,” she grumbled, trying very hard to not blatantly ogle.

 

Sha gave her a slow smile. “It's all yours, girl,” he rumbled, flexing a little simply for the effect it had on her scent before reaching for the clothing. Donning the sweatpants, he commented that Sota was taller than he thought, since the garment was just shy of his ankles, then arched an eyebrow at the dark hoody's elaborate dragon graphic coiling up one sleeve and across the shoulders before shrugging into it. “Your brother must be swimming in this thing, if it fits me.” Flipping up the hood, shoving his hands in his pockets and adopting a slouching posture, he asked, “How do I look?”

 

Kagome tore her eyes away from the toned torso framed by the open front and examined the two bumps wriggling madly under the thick hood. “Like you've trapped a couple of mice on the top your head.” His full-throated guffaw startled her, but she stepped closer anyways to zip up the jacket to a more socially-acceptable point just below his collarbone. Tapping the central magatama of his concealment anchor, she asked, “Shouldn't you reactivate this?”

 

“When I have to leave the grounds,” he answered easily, tugging down the hood and pulling his hair free to cascade down his back. “There won't be anyone around today except for guardsmen.” Hefting the Tetsusaiga, he slipped his arm around her waist. “Now we have to behave ourselves,” he grouched, kissing her again before escorting her out the door and down the stairs.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

In the hallway, they were confronted by a striking tableau. Sesshiro stood between his two sons, his silver-trimmed armour, white kimono and hakama acting as a visual counterpoint to their all-black outfits. Tenmaru appeared to be describing how he had rescued Kagome, complete with vigorous hand gestures; a tattered length of vivid red silk fluttered from his fingers. “Is that your obi?” Kagome asked, coming forward to examine the stained fabric.

 

“The recovery crew found it,” he answered, rolling it up and stuffing it into his sleeve.

 

Collecting herself, Kagome bowed to Sesshiro. “Good morning, Elder Brother.”

 

“Sister,” he returned, inclining his head.

 

Tsugane and Tenmaru exchanged smirks. Bowing in unison, they loudly chorused in pre-school tones, “Good morning, Unca Sha and Auntie `Gome.”

 

Sha curled his lip. “Brats.”

 

Kagome's attention was caught by movement inside the tatami room. A shadow flitted across the shoji; assuming it was her mother setting up for breakfast, she said, “Excuse me,” and opened the sliding panel. “Good morning… oh! Miss Buyo!” Charging past her mother, who was indeed laying out the tea cups, bowls and chopsticks, Kagome dropped to her knees next to the cat-youkai's futon. “Are you feeling all right?”

 

Propped up with pillows, Buyo smiled gamely. “Yes, my lady. Still somewhat stiff in the shoulder, but very happy to be alive.”

 

Kagome leaned forward, impulsively wanting to hug the cat-youkai, but then retreated, not sure if she would be overstepping a boundary or three. Buyo's smile widened, and she opened her arms in clear invitation. The young woman eagerly took her up on the offer, but was careful not to squeeze too hard.

 

“Thank you, my lady,” Buyo whispered in her ear.

 

“I'm so glad,” Kagome responded. “I was afraid I'd hurt you….”

 

“Would ya quit getting' your cat-stink all over her?” Sha demanded testily.

 

Buyo arched her eyebrows at the bristling hanyou as she released Kagome and bowed her head to the young woman. “I am sorry that I could not prevent Lord Sota's abduction.”

 

“You were out cold with enough shouki in your body to fell an elephant,” Tsugane interrupted. “That was our fault for not keeping better track of all those yakuza.”

 

Yayoi coughed lightly as she bustled past with the rice cooker in one hand and a covered tray in the other. “Will you join us for breakfast, Lord Nishiki?” she sweetly enquired, when it appeared that the taiyoukai intended to absent himself. “I used Mrs. Nishino's recipe for saké-glazed grilled salmon.”

 

The tip of Sesshiro's youki-generated fur twitched once. “Thank you,” he intoned, and took the place of honour at the table in Genma Higurashi's absence.

 

When Kagome hesitated to leave her side, Buyo gave her a little poke and indicated the covered soup bowl and tea cup resting on a wooden tray. “Go ahead… I have already eaten.”

 

Weaponry laid aside and armour loosened for comfort, the male members of the House of the West ranged themselves around the table. Out of habit, Kagome was about to seat herself next to her mother, but a plaintive look from Sha had her hastily changing to the cushion beside him. Yayoi served the food, tea was poured, and they settled down to eat. “The grilled fish is excellent, Mrs. Higurashi!” Tsugane enthused after his first bite.

 

“Thank you; I might try a touch of grated ginger in the glaze next time,” Yayoi commented. Around the table, she noticed that all the dog-youkai flinched. Setting that observation aside for the moment, she decided to address other concerns first. “Do you truly mind if I call both of you by your first names?” she asked the two young hanyou. “Our introduction… or, re-introduction… last night was a little precipitous.”

 

“Not at all, ma'am,” Tenmaru immediately replied, since Tsugane was still chewing. “It is much simpler than referring to both of us as `Mr. Nishiki'.”

 

Mrs. Higurashi smiled and gracefully bowed to Sesshiro. “Thank you very much for the protection you and your family have extended, my lord.”

 

Buyo spoke up from across the room. “The enemy we face is ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what he wants, Lady Yayoi. Lady Kagome is in grave danger.”

 

Yayoi nodded slowly, pursing her lips. “I have a question….”

 

“Just one?” Tsugane inquired cheekily.

 

The woman started, then laughed and shook her finger. “Give me time… I'll catch up!”

 

Tsugane flicked his ears in reply, and the movement seemed to derail her thoughts when she continued to gaze at the top of his head. “Your question?” he finally prompted.

 

“Oh! Er, how old are you?”

 

“I'm just over 500 years old, Brother here is a mere babe of 300, while Uncle has clocked over eight centuries and Father over ten,” Tsugane replied, grinning when her jaw dropped. “Why do you ask?”

 

“My goodness!” Yayoi fanned herself with a napkin. “I used to dream about beings that looked very much like you… silver hair, facial markings, golden eyes… and now I wonder if I may have glimpsed one of your kind when I was a child.”

 

“It is possible,” Sesshiro allowed while Sha's attention remained determinedly focussed on his meal.

 

“I think I need more tea,” the woman decided, then thought of something else. “Is Mrs. Nishino a dog-youkai as well?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“That would explain the very subtle seasonings in her recipes; I suppose I'll leave out the fresh ginger, then?”

 

Amid the chorus of agreement from around the table, Kagome quietly asked, “What's the plan today?”

 

The taiyoukai set aside his chopsticks and folded his hands in his sleeves. “We cannot formulate a response until we see Naraku's demands. Until then… we must wait.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

A thin shaft of brightness crept across the floor of the dank cell, reaching through the gloom to touch the filthy cheek of the young man dozing fitfully against the far wall. Sota stirred and waved his hand as if at a circling fly in a effort to ward off the light, then winced as the multiple cuts on his body complained. Blinking slowly, the teenager took stock of his surroundings. Damn. What's taking them so long to find us? I figured that Sha would've ripped this place apart by now.

 

The warm body curled against his side let out a little cry of fear before a dark head popped up and looked wildly around their prison. Sota's smile was a little lopsided due to the dull ache in his jaw, but he did his best to appear reassuring when Karin's frightened gaze came to rest on him. “We survived the night, Miss Mifune. It won't be long until we're rescued.” She brushed her hair out of her eyes, and there was just enough light for him to see the livid bruising on her cheek and throat. “What happened?” he demanded in horror.

 

Karin tried to moisten her dry mouth. “After that one took you… Mr. Hitomi came calling.”

 

“Bastard.”

 

“He… he's not human, Mr. Higurashi! H-he has t-tentacles,” she whispered, her teeth chattering.

 

“I know… I've seen them,” Sota growled, mentally dismembering the dark hanyou.

 

“Y-you have?”

 

“He's after my sister, remember?” When Karin began crying softly, Sota awkwardly patted her shoulder; she huddled closer, so he slid his arm around her and gave her a comforting squeeze.

 

After a little while, she sniffled, “W-where do you think we are?”

 

“Judging by the stink, near the waterfront. Bet that he chose this location because the smells would make it harder for the dogs to track us.”

 

“You mentioned `dogs' last night....”

 

Shit. I think I'm about to open a barrel-sized can of worms. “Miss Mifune, do you believe in youkai?”

 

“Youkai? They're fairy tales… aren't they?” Staring at Sota's solemn expression, she gulped. “You mean… Mr. Hitomi…?”

 

“He definitely isn't human, as you pointed out.” Leaning his head back against the wall, he added, “Neither is my brother-in-law.”

 

“Your sister is married to a youkai?” Karin asked in disbelief.

 

“A hanyou, actually. His mom was a human and his dad was a youkai.” Cracking a grin as he glanced down at her, he said, “Sounds pretty insane, right?”

 

She peered up into his face. “A-are you…?”

 

“I'm human,” he confirmed. “But wait'll you see Sha in action; he's awesome!”

 

“Do youkai have more sensitive noses? Is that why you said it'll be hard for them to find us here?”

 

“They're dog-youkai….”

 

“Your sister married a dog? That's gross!”

 

Sota laughed outright at Karin's scandalized reaction. “He looks like a human, except that he has puppy ears, silver hair and golden eyes.”

 

She frowned. “I've never seen anyone that looks like that, except in a manga!”

 

“He usually wears a concealment spell to blend in.”

 

The girl bit her lip. “Should you really be telling me all this?”

 

“By the time all of this is over, you'll have seen some more pretty weird stuff, so I figure that you have a right to know.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

The morning was spent cleaning up the inside of the house while repair work carried on outside. A crew came to replace the window in Yayoi's bedroom as well as pry pieces of metal and chunks of glass out of the walls. The bed was moved out into the hallway and the damaged tatami mats pulled up, clearing the space for the workers.

 

Sha helped Kagome tidy up her room, mainly so that he had an excuse to remain close to the young woman. However, her proximity wasn't enough to calm the tension building inside him and as the morning wore on, he found himself becoming increasingly short-tempered.

 

“Go bark at somebody else,” Kagome finally snapped when he blasted the crew over the cluttered state of the corridor.

 

Instead of punching the wall, he banged his head against it. “I'm not good at this waiting shit.”

 

Slender arms wrapped around him from behind as Kagome pulled him backwards across the hall into her room. “This is exactly what Naraku is hoping will happen,” she whispered into his shoulder. “We have to relax.”

 

He twisted around and pulled her tightly against him, then left her dazed with an aggressive kiss. “My preferred method of relaxation would involve a lot less clothing,” he purred in her ear, “but that's out, so maybe I'll go beat up on the brats.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

Despite the Shrine being locked down, Mrs. Higurashi had other ideas; just after lunch, she persuaded Sesshiro to assign her a guard so that she could visit Genma. Upon overhearing the conversation, Kagome immediately wanted to go, too, since she felt somewhat responsible for the old man's current condition. There was an irritated noise at her shoulder; turning to Sha, she added, “Please?”

 

The hanyou was clearly reluctant even as he began removing his concealment anchor to re-set the spell. “I just know that Naraku is gonna show up with his shopping list while we're gone.”

 

“We'll phone you,” Tsugane promised. “It isn't like Naraku is going to drop off the ransom note in person.”

 

“Put the screws to any messenger!”

 

“He will more than likely use an innocent third party,” Sesshiro commented.

 

“Dammit. We have to catch a break… and soon.”

 

Tenmaru put away his cell phone. “The car will be here in fifteen minutes.”

 

Kagome drooped. “It's only a couple of blocks to the clinic and it's a beautiful day… do we have to drive?” The rest of the group stared at her before Sha caught hold of her arm and wheeled her out of the room. “Ow! Darn it, that hurts!” she protested, but bit off the rest of her complaint when the hanyou pushed her up against the wall and got right in her face.

 

“Yesterday, a walk to the grocery store ended with you falling off a fucking skyscraper,” he snarled. “I won't take that risk again.”

 

Shock crossed her features and then she slumped. “I wasn't thinking… but you didn't have to be so rough,” she mumbled.

 

“Control yourself, Lord Inuyasha,” came a cool voice as Buyo stalked towards them.

 

“Stay out of this, cat.”

 

“You are not helping the situation.” Turning her attention to Kagome, the cat-youkai said, “While I do not agree with his methods of persuasion, I do agree with Lord Inuyasha's concerns.”

 

Kagome wilted further. “All right. It's just… oh, never mind.” Pulling away from them, she squared her shoulders. “I'll go get ready.”

 

Concerned by the frustration and sorrow radiating from the young woman, Buyo asked, “My lady?”

 

Kagome flashed a wan smile. “I'm still not used to being caged.”

 

As she headed up to her room, the two youkai couldn't look at each other. “Go back to bed, cat,” Sha finally muttered as he wiped his hand over his face. “You gotta be at full strength tonight.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

At the clinic half an hour later, Sha briefly paid his respects to Genma, then left Kagome and Yayoi to get on with things. Nodding to a pair of giggling nurses on his way out of the room, he took up a position across from the door and smirked at his tall nephew. Tenmaru was trying to look inconspicuous in his traditionally-styled black clothing and failing badly; Sha flicked a glance over his own borrowed outfit and commented, “The staff probably thinks that you're some kind of re-enactment freak.”

 

“I'd feel better with my armour,” the younger hanyou muttered, checking to make sure that his short sword and baton were securely hidden inside his clothing. Raised voices from inside the room had them both snapping to attention.

 

“Why aren't you in class, Kagome? You can't afford to fall behind in your studies!” Genma querulously demanded.

 

“I'm, er, on my honeymoon, Grandpa.”

 

“It would be better to wait until Golden Week for such frivolity,” the old man wheezed.

 

“Yes, Grandpa,” Kagome sighed. In the corridor, the two hanyou rolled their eyes.

 

“I expect that Sota is at school… at least one of my grandchildren has their priorities straight!” Genma tetchily observed.

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

When the door to their cell creaked open in the early afternoon, Karin let out a frightened scream and clung to Sota; he protectively wrapped his arms around her and snarled over her head at the two figures silhouetted against the light.

 

“Awww… isn't that cute, Ren? Look, he's baring his teeth at us!”

 

Two square packages were tossed in their direction. “What the hell are these?” Sota demanded as the plastic-wrapped parcels skidded across the dirty floor.

 

“Bento,” the falsetto voice chirped. “Something to keep you going until the show starts!”

 

“You expect us to believe you haven't doctored them?” the teen sneered, kicking away the closest food container.

 

“Hitomi wants you both awake and screaming, sweetie… trust me.” He leered unpleasantly. “Eat up, kiddies, because we can't afford to miss the boat!”

 

A few moments after the door slammed shut, Karin whimpered, “I haven't eaten since yesterday, but I don't think I'm hungry.”

 

“Me neither, but in the off chance that I have a shot at that asshole later, I'll take the risk.” Releasing the girl, Sota forced his injured body to move and retrieved the bento boxes. Carefully examining the plastic wrap for signs of tampering before passing one to Karin, he said, “These come from a train station.”

 

“Do you think he was serious about a boat? Where do you think they're taking us?” she asked as she peeled back the plastic.

 

“Who knows… but we might have a chance to escape,” he replied, cautiously nibbling at a few grains of rice.

 

The girl snapped apart the disposable chopsticks, a pensive expression on her face. “Even if we survive today, things aren't ever going back to normal, are they?”

 

“Not likely.”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“Sir! Delivery for you!”

 

Tsugane keenly assessed the uniformed courier as he crossed the courtyard in response to the guardsman's summons. Human… no, a hanyou, but of highly-diluted youkai blood. Might as well be human, with a low level of youki like that. “Yes?” he asked, relaxing his stance.

 

The petite courier touched the brim of her cap with a gloved hand as she straightened up from her bow and proffered a large, plain manila envelope. “Mr. Nishiki?”

 

“One of them.”

 

“Oh! Er, it just says `Mr. Nishiki', so I s-suppose it doesn't matter which one signs for it,” she stammered, immediately flustered.

 

Tsugane smiled charmingly as he scrawled his signature on the electronic screen, but only succeeded in making the young woman shyly duck her head. She hastily bowed again before the bemused guardsmen escorted her towards the staircase; on the top step, she briefly looked back with what the two interpreted as an appreciative expression aimed at their handsome young lord and smirked at each other over her head.

 

As the trio disappeared from sight, Sesshiro efficiently slit open the envelope and extracted a much smaller white one. Turning it over, he emitted a truly ferocious snarl that caused all the nearby troopers to leap backwards several feet.

 

“Father? Don't melt it!” Tsugane yelped as the paper began to smoke.

 

“That `woman' was Naraku,” the taiyoukai hissed, displaying the note scribbled on the front.

 

Tsugane edged close enough to read aloud, “`It was a pleasure seeing you again, Western Lord'. Shit!” Whirling around, he raced towards the torii gate, with a dozen guardsmen hot on his heels.

 

“Halt.” That single, icy command brought all of them to a screeching stop.

 

“Father?”

 

“He is a shape-shifter; pursuit is pointless.” As the troopers trailed back to their positions or hastened to inform their just-returned fellows that they had been in the company of the notorious Naraku, Sesshiro withdrew a folded piece of cardstock and quickly scanned the note.

 

“Well?” Tsugane asked.

 

“The rendezvous point is Mount Mihara.”

 

“Uh… where?”

 

“Oshima Island, to the south of Tokyo.”

 

A tiny bell rang inside Tsugane's memory. “Oshima Island… isn't that where…?”

 

“Yes.” The taiyoukai abruptly handed his son the note and tapped the upside-down envelope over his palm.

 

Before Tsugane had a chance to read the missive, a sudden whirlwind of youki sent him tumbling; when he regained his feet, he cringed before the reddened eyes and predatory facial features of his sire. “Father…?” In answer he was tossed something very small and dark, bound with thread. A swatch of hair?

 

“The fool is taunting me,” Sesshiro growled in a bass rumble as he brought his youki back under control.

 

Carefully tucking the poignant reminder of Miss Mifune into his kimono, Tsugane turned his attention back to the note. “`Bring the Shikon miko and the Shikon-no-Tama'… well, duh… huh?” Frowning, he carefully re-read the postscript. “Oh, crap; Uncle's not gonna like this!”

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж

 

“How could you let him slip through your fingers?” Sha roared, clenching his fists so tightly that his concealed claws cut into his palms.

 

“His aura and his scent completely fooled me… he came across as perfectly ordinary,” Tsugane repeated from where he sheltered behind Kagome.

 

“Fuck it all to the fifth fucking hell!”

 

Mrs. Higurashi arched her eyebrows, but forbore commenting on Sha's profanity. Instead, she exchanged wry looks with Buyo as they watched from the relative safety of the kitchen as the tempest raged inside the tatami room.

 

“Even if we had seized him, his minions are undoubtedly under orders to immediately slaughter the hostages upon a pre-arranged signal. It was not worth the risk,” Sesshiro pointed out with deceptive mildness. Sha snarled viciously as he crossed his arms on his chest and glared at the floor.

 

In the lull, Kagome slowly looked up from the note. “It says here `the Shikon miko and the Shikon-no-Tama'… it's as if he doesn't know that it's inside me.” Chewing on her lip as she thought, she finally added, “That's unlikely, though, because Abihime targeted my chest after she spoke to him.”

 

Sesshiro's gaze turned bright yellow. “Her choice could still be a coincidence; this may be an opportunity.”

 

“How can we exploit it? Once he figures out where the Jewel is, it'll be the two-for-one deal of his dreams!” Tsugane protested.

 

“We have an additional problem,” Tenmaru piped up.

 

“Oh, goody,” Sha huffed sarcastically.

 

“Tonight is the New Moon.”

 

The eldest hanyou stared at the youngest before unleashing a truly hair-curling tirade that only ended when he stormed out of the house, slamming the foyer door hard enough to rattle the teacups.

 

In the silence that followed, Kagome gave Tenmaru an enquiring look. Shrugging apologetically, he said, “All hanyou have a night or day when they lose their youkai power and become completely human. It coincides with the moment of their birth, which is the time of ultimate weakness. Uncle was born during a full lunar eclipse, and is therefore vulnerable on the night that lacks a moon.”

 

“Which means…?”

 

“The Tetsusaiga will not transform for him, and he lacks personal weaponry like fangs and claws.”

 

“Oh, no! But… why did it seem to be news to Sha?”

 

Tsugane shook his head. “He always forgets. It just isn't as big a deal as it used to be.”

 

Her curiosity piqued despite this new difficulty, Kagome asked, “How about you two?”

 

Tenmaru indicated the blue crescent on his forehead. “Mine happens to match my marking… the waning moon.”

 

Smirking, Tsugane said, “Except when you look in the mirror, get it backwards and panic. I howl at the `waxing gibbous' moon.”

 

“Which makes you sound like a species of ape,” Tenmaru retorted.

 

His elder brother sniffed derisively. Noting how the young woman's attention was drawn back to the note in her hand, Tsugane reached over to tap the postscript. “What do you think of that?”

 

Kagome hunched her shoulders. “I don't want to think about it. He's obsessed.”

 

`My dearest Lady Kikyo… I look forward to our reunion. Wear white and red for me.'

 

Ж Ж Ж Ж Ж