InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Prophecy ❯ Destinies Collide ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2

“Destinies Collide”

Kagome hated her job. Hate being the appropriate word. She was grateful that she had work, but she hated that it wasn't in her field. When her friend, Hojou, had offered to get her into Mount Hakurei Medical Orphanage, she had been ecstatic. The institute was a haven for parentless children who were terminally ill or severely injured. It represented everything a miko should stand for: healing, caring and saving.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the job offered to her. Unbeknownst to her, the Institute had a separate function: technological research and development. They used mikos to power their experiments. At first, she was hesitant, but the promise that she would eventually be transferred to the medical wing convinced her. That was three years ago. It had been a moved that killed her career. She still had no marketable medical experience, though she had strengthened her spiritual powers ten fold, since she started.

Kagome sighed as she entered the seven-story building. It was of plain design, with dull decoration. A reception desk was placed five feet from the entrance, next to the elevators. Kagome waved at the security officer before walking past the elevators. Behind them, were another set of “private” elevators, camouflaged into the walls. She used her security badge to activate them. The doors opened and she stepped inside. Automatically, the descend to the sublevels began. She hated these elevators as well. They symbolized everything that was wrong with Mount Hakurei. The orphans were given the broken down, out of date elevators, accommodations and technology, while the underground labs received lavish amounts of funds. It wasn't right.

Smoothing a few wrinkles from her red uniform skirt, she waited for the elevator to reached seventh subterranean floor. A console appeared before her. Knowing the routine, Kagome pressed her finger against it and waited. “Finger Print Recognition completed,” a feminine mechanical voice announced. “DNA Scan Recognition completed. Identity verified, Higurashi, Kagome, miko, level 5 clearance.” She had been glad when the console had been updated. Getting her finger pricked every morning and evening so that the machine could compare her DNA was not her idea of fun.

The doors opened, revealing a small room with three doors. The room was dark with black floors, stainless steel vault-like doors and grey walls. Kagome wasn't sure what the other two doors lead to, but she knew the one in the middle was an airlock. The seventh sublevel used to be a biological facility, and still employed many of the security features from those days. Swiping her badge by the door panel, it beeped twice before opening. She stepped into the small area and waited for the door behind her to close. The vault door panel in front of her was blinking red. She heard the vents open as new air began to fill the small room, pushing the old air out. “Non-viable air readings within acceptable range.” The female voice began. The vault door in front of her opened, and Kagome proceeded to her destination.

She walked past Hojou's office and noticed he was there. His hair was disheveled, and his clothes were wrinkled. He had his back towards her as he worked on the board before him. Had he come in and worked the entire weekend after Friday's ball? She continued walking without interrupting him, having learnt the hard way of his temper. “Kami, he's changed so much. I barely recognize him.” She hated what this job had done to him.

As she reached the locker room, she removed her yellow backpack. She knew it didn't go with her white and red uniform, but it was Mount Hakurei standard issue. She opened her locker and took a moment to look at the pictures of her friends. Hojou was goofing off in half of them. She looked at the last picture they had taken together. It had been a few weeks after she started working with him. Eri, her oldest friend, had swung by to congratulate her, camera in hand. Kagome smiled fondly as she recalled how they had stopped a random stranger and asked her to take the picture. Hojou had wrapped his arms around the two of them, while pulling them close to him. His warm smile filled the picture. He was always so laid back. He worked to live, not the other way around.

That was the last time she remembered him smiling… well, smiling the way he had always smiled. The next day, the new project overseer had called Hojou into his office, and in a sudden, but gradual shift, Hojou became obsessed with the project. “Why is it so important?” That information was classified, and she only had a fifth level clearance. Basically, she was allowed to go into the lab to work, but not know what the hell she was doing, or for what. She really hated this place.

Throwing her backpack in the locker, she sighed. Reminiscing always wore her out. Getting ready to leave, she took a moment to inspect herself in the mirror. Her white hip length uniform jacket was completely buttoned, allowing only a fraction of skin to be seen beneath her neck. Admiring her slim waist, she adjusted the belt. Her exercise sessions were beginning to pay off. She examined the skirt carefully. Like the skirts he had used in high school, it was too short and marvelously durable. You could barely tell she hadn't ironed it. All her clothing should be this resistant to wrinkles. She took a quick glance at her feet. The white clogs looked nothing like her usual stilettos. As the Lead Miko, she had to take an extra step towards looking professional. Unfortunately, her hip had been bothering her since the previous Thursday. Actually, it had bothered her Thursday night and during the ball on Friday. After having to sit through most of the formalities, she decided to take a weeklong break from heals.

Turning from the mirror, Kagome made her way over to the main lab. She checked the schedule, and it look like she would get a lunch break. She smiled gratefully. She could sneak upstairs and visit her special friend. She hadn't seen him in a while. She walked the labyrinth of labs skillfully, knowing she was scheduled to start in a few minutes. They were about to do a trial run, but of what, she didn't know.

“You know how to find that out?” a small voice in the back of her head that sounded strangely like her partner told her. Kagome knew Sango had only insinuated that because she was sure Kagome wouldn't go through with it. No, she wouldn't toy with Hojou's feelings. They had been friends since before the Great War. He had given her first kiss. He had been her first boyfriend, her first love, her first everything… Well, almost first everything. They had decided it to consummate their relationship on the wake of the “Marriage and Procreation Laws.” After Lord Sesshomaru had banned premarital sex, he wouldn't dare endanger her.

He never hesitated, unlike last Friday… Hojou never had a problem standing up for his friends. In that sense, he was like Kagome, except he was better at diffusing the situation. He had an uncomplicated air about him that would put you at ease. The Hojou she knew wouldn't have stumbled over his words. He would have brushed it off with a joke. But that Hojou had been gone for some time now. He had gone off to medical school, and she had been chosen for the accelerated miko program. Both were facing a very full plate, so they had decided to end their relationship peacefully. Deep down, she knew he had offered her the job and she had accepted because both thought it the best way to rekindle their romance.

She sighed as she went into an airlock. A similar consol as the one in the elevator activated. She followed the same procedure before being allowed to proceed. She moved through the airlock, into the secured area. Ten labs, identical in shape, size and décor lined the sides of the hallway. She hated the white cinderblock walls used in this locale. It made her feel as if she were in a prison. In a way, she was.

Her lab was the furthest from the entrance. She was the Lead Miko, now. She wondered if it was due to her increase powers or the reduction in staff. She hated not knowing.

Opening her lab door, she saw Sango was already ready, polishing her sword. “Good morning, beautiful,” she greeted Kagome. The miko was always stunned by how good the youkai slayer looked in the mornings. Dressed in the traditional black form fitting uniform, she made every woman in the complex envious of her curvy figure. Her hair was always perfectly groomed into a high ponytail, and her complexion was always flawless without the help of makeup. She wore bright pink eye shadow that accentuated her dark eyes perfectly, though Kagome knew Sango wore it for its more magical properties: the eye shadow allowed her to see hidden demon auras. With naturally red lips and a bright smile, Sango was everything Kagome wasn't in the mornings: awake. But, that might also be why they worked so well together.

“Good morning, Sango.” Kagome smiled as she walked into the room. It was fairly large with a red line that ran horizontally down the middle. The first half of the room had a few chairs, a computer station and several observation screens. The second half had a white elevated circular platform. Above it, there were large metal panels on the ceilings surrounded by sealing spells.

“Good morning, ladies,” a cheerful voice greeted. They turned to the newest arrival in good humor.

“How was your weekend, Ayame?” Kagome asked as the redheaded wolf youkai in black slacks and a lab coat sat down in front of the computer station. She was carrying a cup of tea, which she sipped slowly while caressing her very swollen belly.

“Thankfully peaceful. This little one managed to stay still most of the time.”

“You should take maternity leave soon, this can get dangerous,” Sango warned.

Ayame laughed lightly, her green eyes flashing, “I've been through this three times before. I've become a bit of an expert on the subject, and I know I'm still good to work. Besides, in the event something did go excessively wrong, I'm more than confident in your ability to contain the situation.”

Sango looked away slightly sadden. Kagome had never asked her, but she had heard the rumors of what had happened to the miko she had been hired to replace. Supposedly, Sango had been the one to stop that demon, but not until it had killed all the occupants of the first five labs.

“How did you girls like Sesshomaru-sama's gala? It was your first one, right?” Ayame asked as her nimble finger began to operate the equipment.

“Don't ask,” Kagome replied coolly.

“Don't mind her,” Sango began as she recovered, “she just told off his Lordship, Inu Yasha-sama.”

“What?” Ayame looked up in surprise and mirth. “What I wouldn't give to have been able to see that! Oh, but Kagome, you shouldn't put yourself in that kind of risk. Sesshomaru-sama might be forced to make an example of you.”

“Hey, the brat deserved it! He pushed this poor fellow onto Hojou, and next thing I know, I have punch all over my brand new, very expensive dress! He had the nerve to say that it was my fault for standing where I was! Can you believe him?” she exclaimed in indignation.

“Yes, that is typical Inu Yasha,” Ayame smiled.

“I can't believe he is the leader of the Human Party in Court! He has no sense of decency.”

“Don't be so hard on him Kagome. He didn't have it easy.”

“The symbol of `Human and Demon Unity' didn't have it easy? I find that hard to believe.”

“His father died the night of his birth, and his mother died when he was a child. Sesshomaru didn't exactly make a good guardian, if you get my drift,” Ayame guarded her words carefully as she continued. “Inu Yasha basically raised himself, surviving feudal Japan without a soul to protect him. When I first met him, he had no idea of manners or proper behavior, but I can't blame him. I found out soon afterwards that he had found a village that needed him. He found a purpose. I thought it would probably help, but then the Great Sleep came… Imagine waking up one morning, and the few people you care for are dead.”

Kagome stood quiet for a second digesting the information. Images of the past came to light… a small memory, she had pretended to forget.

“You're telling me that after having ten years to learn good manners, he's excuse from it because he had a lousy childhood?” Sango questioned. “I don't buy that. He has had more than enough time to fix that.”

An alarm cut Sango's rant short.

“Alright ladies, it's show time. The main lab needs as much juice as you can give them, Kagome, so do your best.” Ayame pressed a few more buttons and checked the monitors a few more times before stating, “The cycler is ready.”

Kagome stepped forward in apprehension. She knew it was possible for her to meet the same end as the miko before her. Sango moved into place with he sword drawn and ready. Her partner would let nothing bad happen to her. The miko stepped onto the white platform of the cycler and turned to face the other two woman. She placed her hands in prayer position as she felt her aura being harnessed by the machine as it completed the split second cycles.

The cycler was the perfect example of human and demon knowledge merging. Using the known generator technology, and infusing it with demon ingenuity, they had been able to create a machine that was able to harness sacred auras and turn them into electricity. It worked with a similar output as a nuclear reactor without the harmful byproducts. And, since auras where like muscles, the more they were exercised the stronger they became, the longevity of the technology was ensured. But, like muscles, auras could be strained or even ruptured. Death was eminent to any who did not proceed with care. Until now, Kagome was convinced Hojou would always protect her, but now… She prayed his obsession did not kill her.

Taking deep breaths, Kagome tried to forget that she was technically stepping on the other miko's blood. She concentrated her energy and felt herself levitate slightly off the platform. Her half of the room was aglow with her energy. A recurring alarm, which reminded her of pigs squealing, rang in her ears. She knew that the metal panels were opening. The lesser youkai floated towards her, attracted to her like moths to a flame. The light scorches they received from her protective aura did not prevent them from circling around her to the speed of the cycler, provoking her aura, forcing it to flare.

“Kagome, your heartbeat is too fast. We're only at 100 thousand cycles per second. Try to relax, or you'll be to exhausted by the time things speed up.” Ayame warned from her place behind the monitors.

She needed to take her mind of the demons, and the possibility of death. She needed a good distraction. Sango would protect her, if things ever got out of hand. Kagome smiled internally as she thought, “I would like to have her teach Inu Yasha a lesson.”

His face filled her mind, but not as she had seen it the previous Friday. He had looked fifteen when she first saw him. It had been two days after the armies of man had surrendered to the Great Lords, and they were all in great unease, waiting for the demons to decide what to do with them. Her grandfather had dragged her off to the well house when he had seen him coming. She had peaked from the door as her grandfather held her back. She had never seen a hanyou before, much less one with such curious dog ears on his head. She was so tempted to touch them, to see if they were real, but that was not meant to be. The boy had looked at the Goshin Boku with sad, lost eyes. She had sworn he shed a tear as he touched the rough bark. Kagome had uselessly tried to free herself from her grandfather's grasp. She needed to console him. She needed to hold him, but most importantly, she needed him to lose himself in her eyes, as she had lost herself in his. “Is this love?” she had wondered. He had left soon after, but the thought that she had somehow failed him, never left Kagome.

After Friday's scene, she wondered if the years of the light nagging guilt had been in vain. Why should she want to comfort someone as arrogant as him? Why should she even care?

“What's going on?” Sango demanded as the light became almost blinding. She could smell the scorch flesh of the demons they had used.

“Kagome is releasing unprecedented amounts of energy. This is more than she usually harvests in a week… The doc will be pleased. He will probably reward her,” Ayame informed as she raised the shields around her. Her unborn child was not comfortable around the intense purifying energy.

“If he doesn't drain her dry first,” Sango replied, shielding her eyes from her friend's warm light.

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Miroku hummed lightly as he drove through the streets of Tokyo in his ultra efficient electric/aura hybrid. The humming helped him concentrate on both driving while using his aura to power the vehicle. There wasn't much traffic today, which was a shame.

He scanned his radio for traffic alerts, and finally found one, “If you are trying to get to downtown Tokyo this morning, avoid The Sesshomaru Parkway. It looks like a disabled gas vehicle is blocking the right lane. Traffic is backed up fifteen minutes and counting.”

“Nothing like a friendly reminder of how obsolete the older technology is to wake people up in the morning,” Miroku observed as he cheerful disposition slightly dampened.

“Miroku!” the voice on his mobile phone demanded as the smile returned to the monk's lips. Thank Kami for auto-answer. “Where the hell are you? I thought we were having breakfast today!”

“I'm sorry Inu Yasha, but I lied.” The monk admitted as he imagined how swollen the red veins in Inu Yasha's eyes must have gotten. Just like the hanyou could not resist aggravating Sesshomaru, Miroku could not resist infuriating his student.

“What do you mean you lied?”

“I knew you wouldn't like it, so I decided not to tell you the truth.”

“What truth?” Inu Yasha's voice was dry and unreasonable calm.

“I think its love,” the monk declared in a singsong voice.

“You always think its love! And, you're always wrong!” the hanyou exploded.

“But, I think this time is different. She's not like any of the others. She works at Mount Hakurei Children's Medical Orphanage… How more pure than that can you get?”

“Miroku, I warned you to stay away!”

“And you also said you didn't want her for yourself, so why shouldn't I try my luck?” Miroku swore he heard those famous veins of the hanyou pop. One day the hanyou would thank him for all the trouble he went through, but, until that day came, the monk still had a lot of aggravating to do, “I'm going to ask her to lunch, and you can't stop me!” Miroku declared as he turned into traffic. He much rather sit in front of the orphanage until it was time to go in, but Inu Yasha would be aware if anything didn't smell right.

“Like hell!” Inu Yasha slammed the receiver before running out the door. He was faster than most cars, so he opted to run, knowing he was a lot farther away than Miroku. As he ran atop the trees, and onto the busy streets of Tokyo, the hanyou prayed that his soon-to-be-dead friend found traffic.

Pedestrians felt his wrath as he pushed everyone out of his way. He tried to stay above the city traffic, using the streetlamps, power lines and trees to keep himself airborne, but those weren't always available. Even with his demonic abilities, it still took him thirty-five minutes to reach Mount Hakurei, and one whiff from his nose told him he was five minutes too late.

He cursed as he followed his nose to the security guard. She was pretty and petite with warm chocolate eyes and peanut butter colored hair. Her aura was soft, perfect to work around kids. “The monk that was just here, where did he go?” Inu Yasha demanded. She looked at him in surprise before pointing towards the private elevators. She wasted no time in paging her boss.

Inu Yasha rushed into the elevator, grateful it had just arrived. The person exiting, was not too please to have been nearly knocked down, but did not get a chance to retaliate. The elevator and the hanyou were already gone. He didn't know where he was going, or why. The elevator started to move on its own accord. Noticing the lack of buttons on the panel, he figured it was just as well. As soon as he got his hands on Miroku, he would strangle the monk.

A consol appeared before him right after the elevator stopped. “What the fuck is this?”

“Fingerprint and DNA scan recognition, please,” the disembodied voice answered.

Inu Yasha placed his finger on the console and was glad to here the computer reply,

“Finger print recognition completed. DNA scan recognition completed. Identity confirmed. Welcome visitor, Inu Yasha-sama, security clearance level classified.” Inu Yasha growled lightly. Another one of his brother's bright ideas to keep him in check was not to let him know what security clearance he really had.

The doors opened to reveal a slightly lost Miroku.

“Inu Yasha,” he feigned surprise, “what are you doing here?” Silently, he congratulated himself on his timing. He had summoned the elevator at the perfect moment.

“Stopping you! I made it clear that you were not to pursue her!” He growled as he grabbed the monk by the neck. A cursory sniff told him the monk had not yet seen the girl.

“But, if you have no claim…” Inu Yasha's growled cut him off. “Damn it Yasha, if you don't want her, then give me a damn good reason why I shouldn't!”

There was a moment of silence as the two men stared into each other's eyes, calculating their next move.

“Excuse me,” neither had heard the door open, nor noticed the presence of the young woman until she spoke. “I'm not sure what you two are doing here, but your are not allowed on this level without an escort.”

“Ah, we meet again,” Miroku began as he freed himself from Inu Yasha's grasp. He rushed towards the blue-eyed miko and grabbed her hand. “We're actually here to ask something off you…”

“Oh no you don't,” Inu Yasha interrupted in a growl.

“Yes I do! Inu Yasha, we both know it's the right thing to do, and I'm doing it!”

Kagome stared at the monk in disbelief. Did he want to get himself killed?

“I wanted to…”

“Apologize,” Inu Yasha interrupted. “He wanted to apologize for causing that drink to spill on you.”

Kagome looked at the two in surprise. She was too tired for these games. For some strange reason, her session had worn her out even though it had been shorter than usual. Turning to Miroku, she began, “You don't need to apologize. I know you fell by accident. Your friend on the other hand,” she continued turning towards Inu Yasha.

“I owe you nothing…”

“Not, me!” Kagome interrupted. “You owe him an apology for pushing him!”

“Yes, Inu Yasha. You never apologized,” Miroku reminded as he took another step closer to the miko. He chose not to heed Inu Yasha's warning growls. “Any how, I have a huge favor to ask of you.”

“The answer is no,” Inu Yasha insisted.

“I'm not asking you, Inu Yasha. I'm asking her,” Miroku insisted as he made note of the flash of red in Inu Yasha's eyes.

“No, I'm asking her!” Inu Yasha pushed suddenly getting an idea.

“You two are making my head hurt,” Kagome complained as she rubbed her temples.

“You keep this up and I'll have you for diner!” Inu Yasha growled a warning at the monk.

“What about diner?” the girl asked in confusion, realizing she had dazed out on the conversation.

“He wants to invite you to diner,” Miroku prompted, noticing there wouldn't be a better opportunity than this.

“Diner? With you?” Kagome questioned in aghast surprise.

“Told you the answer was no,” Inu Yasha finalized as the elevator doors opened behind him.

“Shippo, what on Earth are you doing down here?” Kagome demanded. The men turned towards the elevator in time to see the small fox youkai bounce towards them. He was short, not much taller than Inu Yasha's knees. This was typical in kits less than five summers old. His disheveled red hair was carelessly brushed into a ponytail, and his bright green eyes glowed with mischief. His fluffy brown tail was curled around him, hiding his uniform. The chubby-cheeked smile he gave them was of satisfaction.

“I came to see you, Kagome. You're so busy now, you don't eat lunch with me anymore,” the boy complained.

“How did you get down here?” she demanded as she walked towards him. The boy began to vibrate before he puffed into a balloon-like Hojou. He held the shape for three seconds, before changing back.

“You like it? I figure the prank should be on him since he's making you work so hard,” he informed her with pride.

“Sweetheart, do you know the amount of trouble you would be in if they catch you down here? You need to get back upstairs before someone sees you,” she informed ushering him towards the elevator. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the panel on airlock she had passed turn green. “Someone's coming!”

Nervously, she turned towards Miroku and Inu Yasha, who were studying her with odd curiosity. She pushed the two males in front of the boy, making sure they hid him with their bodies before walking them towards the elevators. “Please,” she begged Inu Yasha as the door began to open, “I'll do what ever you want.” She pushed the three into the elevator. “I'll go to diner with you, just get him upstairs safely.”

“Whom were you talking to?” Sango asked as she tried to make out the members of the elevator before the doors closed.

“A friend…”

“You have a diner date,” the exterminator teased.

“Sort of…”

“I hope it's not for tonight. Hojou wants you to pull a triple shift again.”

“What?”

“Well, after he saw these numbers, he figured you had energy to spare,” Sango replied as she handed the miko a clipboard with the morning readings.

“Sango, this can't be right… These numbers are astronomical. No one has readings like this.”

“You did. You even purified all the youkai in the cycler. Ayame was forced to step out of the room in fear of her baby's life. I don't know what happened this morning, but I don't think Hojou will let you leave without a repeat.”

Kagome let her head fall in defeat. She just couldn't catch a break. “I hate this place!”

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“Who are you guys? Do you work here, too? I don't think you work here because you're not wearing a uniform, and everyone that works here wears uniforms. They are yucky, but the rules say we must all wear uniforms, so we all do. Do you wear uniforms? I bet you don't. I bet you never had to wear uniforms in your lives.”

Inu Yasha growled at the kit as Shippo rambled continuously without stopping for breath. “Don't you ever shut up?” he demanded.

The boy stood quiet for a moment, and then, with a grave importance, answered “Nope.” Taking a deep breath, he prepared to start again,

“How do you know Kagome?” Miroku interceded. They were only on the sixth sublevel, and already he wanted to help Inu Yasha dispose of the boy. The elevator ride would be endless if something was not done.

“She helped the other miko care for me when I was brought in,” he replied softly. “She was nice to me.”

The older males suddenly became tense as they were brutally reminded of what this building was intended for.

“Your name is Shippo, like your father?” Inu Yasha asked. When the boy nodded, he continued, “Your father served under my brother during the Great War. He was a good man.”

“I know,” was the boy's soft reply. The silence became unbearable for the three, and the two adults began to wish the boy would start rambling again. The brutal double murder of his parents had been highly publicized. The only reason the boy had survived was because the killers left him for dead.

Searching in his robes, Inu Yasha found a chocolate bar. It was suppose to be his lunch, but he figured there was a better use for it. “Is that… chocolate?” the boy asked with wide eyes. The hanyou threw the bar to him, and smiled as the boy devoured it.

“You're going to get sick if you eat the wrapper,” Miroku warned as he examined the mess the boy was making.

“Sorry,” the boy responded between chews, “been too long without it.”

“Great, Inu Yasha, you just gave a chocolate addict a fix.”

“Keh, how was I supposed to know?”

“He's four! All four-year-olds are chocolate addicts.”

“Hey, that's not true! I'm five! I had a birthday last week!” Shippo protested, his tail standing to attention. Inu Yasha made note of the worn oversize hunter green uniform pants and white wrinkled shirt. He didn't like it.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a small pack of people. “Your Lordship,” a small bold man began, “I am Director Sans.” Inu Yasha observed the old grey suit and stained tie, the man wore. “I am happy to welcome you to our institute, and I am glad to be your tour guide.”

“Tour guide?”

“While you perform your annual inspection,” Director Sans elaborated. “I am grateful you trusted us enough the past decade without personally coming to see the facility.”

Inu Yasha thought back for a moment over his list of obligations. He knew his brother had bestowed upon him a heap of duties. Inu Yasha's response was not to do any of them. He supposed, inspecting Mount Hakurei was one of them.

“That's alright,” Miroku began, knowing how his friend hated to do work.

“I already got a tour guide. All it cost me was a chocolate bar, too,” He grunted as he turned towards the boy. “Shippo, why don't you show me around? All the cool places you have here, and especially, all the stupid ones,” Inu Yasha requested. The boy lit up.

“You can't have a better tour guide than me! I know where everything is, and when I say everything, I mean everything. Everything, like where they hide the good tea, and the bad one too, though, I don't know why you would want the bad one. It sucks!” He rambled on, without breathing. Inu Yasha briefly wondered if annoying the director was worth the price he was paying.

“If you don't need me,” Miroku started as he turned to leave.

“Of course I need you,” Inu Yasha replied with a smirk. “I need you to keep notes. Be sure to write down everything the kit says.” Payback was sweet.

“You're going to write everything I say? That's soooo cool! I know I was doing dictation at school before I came here, and the teacher would say, `Red, blue' and we would write it down, but we never got to have it the other way around where she had to write down what we said. Wait `til the other kids hear about this!”

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“Come back and visit soon!” Shippo waved good-bye as Inu Yasha followed Miroku to his car.

“I thought I was going to die! That elevator is a death trap!” the monk complained.

“Keh, the history books are all outdated. Most of them are from before the Great War. The medical wing is severely understaffed, lacking severely in supplies. Can you believe they ran out of painkillers in the burns unit? `Sorry about your first degree burns, kid, but we have nothing to make you feel better,'” Inu Yasha mocked. “What kind of hospital is this?”

“One you're supposed to be overseeing?” Miroku answered.

“Keh, I know if the budget came across my desk, I took care of it. Anything that makes my brother spend cash, I approve.”

“Then, where did it go?” Miroku questioned as they got in their car.

“Not into the Director's pockets…” Inu Yasha observed. “I'll find out as soon as we get home. Oh, Miroku, figure out exactly what my responsibilities towards Mount Hakurei are. I want to know how much fun I can have with it.”

“Sure thing,” the monk replied happily as he pulled out of his parking space.

“By the way, we should discuss tonight's diner. I think you would be tasty with Ramen. Ramen always makes everything taste better,” Inu Yasha growled.

Miroku laughed nervously, “I don't think Kagome would like a menu with human as the main course.”

“Who said the wench is invited?”

“You invited her to diner! She agreed!” Miroku retorted.

A low growl warned the monk that he was stepping on dangerous ground.

“Well, if you are going to eat me, at least cook me properly. I should be something exotic and sexy, like Thai cuisine!”

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There goes Chapter two. As you can guess, it's about to get interesting.