InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ I'm Not Just a Girl ( Chapter 3 )

{Disclaimer: Come on, by now you know where to go. You don't? Alright, see chapter one.}

SF: My computer is having a mid life crisis, so if you don't see your review response below just email it back to me and I'll put it up on the next chapter. I don't know what the hell's wrong with this thing!

Votes

Kikyou dead-5

Kikyou alive-1

Chapter Three: I'm Not Just A Girl

For the female of the species is more deadly than the male.

-R. Kipling, 'The Female of the Species'-

*10:40 AM *

He stood alone on the balcony connected to his hotel bedroom, watching the activity below.

A stray wind lifted the below waist-length platinum blonde braid from his back to flutter at his side like a banner, rippling the black silk pajama pants and brushing aside the bangs that caressed his forehead.

He sighed again and turned back to his bedroom to get ready for the day. He closed the French balcony doors, reached inside the closet for the kimono-styled robe that matched his pants and sat down at the desk in the far right corner of the room. Flipping open his laptop with one hand and his cell phone with the other, he waited patiently for the internet connection as he made a phone call.

"Yes, is this Robert Kelson?" he asked.

"I will wait." He started up the search engine, typing in his assistant's email address. He stopped suddenly and returned his attention to the phone.

"Yes, this is Takamada," he said. "Is it ready to launch?" He waited for a moment, then frowned. "Why isn't it?"

He stopped typing and turned away from the laptop. "You have to be kidding? Sabotage? How?" He listened a little more, then scowled in the direction of his bedroom door. "I'm going to have to cut this short." He shook his head. "No, I can't make the launch. Yes, its because of…certain problems. Call me here if anything else happens." He snapped the cell phone shut as a young man burst into the room. His mid back-length raven hair stood out from his head like a porcupine, and his red silk boxers twisted around his waist.

"Are they here yet, Sesshoumaru?" he asked.

Sesshoumaru shook his head and returned to his computer. "No. The FBI are still all over the hall. I don't see how you missed them, since you had to run out of your room past them to mine. Why are you so nervous Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha straightened his boxers before sitting in the easy chair beside the bedroom door. "I don't like all this protection. I mean, we can take care of ourselves. Besides, all these humans do is attract attention."

"And that is why the marshals are taking over," Sesshoumaru said as he clicked on a picture. "The army of FBI will be replaced with, if Rin is correct-"

"And she always is," Inuyasha retorted, earning a frown from Sesshoumaru.

"Three marshals," Sesshoumaru finished. Inuyasha blinked, then

"HOW IN THE FUCK ARE THREE MARSHALS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US FROM NARAKU?!!!!"

Sesshoumaru shook his head in mild disgust. He was used to this behavior by now, but it still hurt his sensitive ears. "I thought you couldn't wait for the FBI to leave?"

Inuyasha scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "I can't but three marshals?!! What kind of sense does that make?" He sighed and leaned back with his head in his hands. "We're so dead."

Sesshoumaru fought the urge to roll his eyes as he skimmed over a file. "They sent us the best officers they have. Don't tell me you're afraid of Naraku," Sesshoumaru taunted. Inuyasha bolted upright and glared at him.

"Are you kidding?" he shouted. "We'll probably end up protecting their weak, human asses-"

"Keep your voice down! There are humans in the hallway," Sesshoumaru snarled, returning the previous glare Inuyasha sent him.

Inuyasha scoffed. "Like they can hear us."

"If you continue to shout, they will. Besides, wouldn't you at least like to know what I've found out about our new 'protectors'?"

Inuyasha nodded and scooted closer to Sesshoumaru. "Sure! What are we looking at?"

Sesshoumaru typed a little more, then sighed. "There isn't a lot so far. All Rin said was that its two females and a male."

Inuyasha groaned. "This just keeps getting worse, doesn't it?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. "The male is ordinary. He's from a line of monks from Japan and China. One of the females is a descendant of youkai exterminators-"

"Aww man," Inuyasha groaned as he slumped down into the chair. "What else?"

Sesshoumaru glanced at him out the corner of his eye, then said, "And the other female is a miko."

"WHAT?!!!" Inuyasha screeched, bolting upright again. Then he flopped back down and shut his eyes. "We don't have to worry about Naraku. She'll purify us before he gets a chance to do anything."

Sesshoumaru ignored this as his ears twitched sporadically. "They're here."

"Who's here?" Inuyasha asked, forgetting in an instant what they were talking about.

"The Dali Lama; who do you think I'm talking about?" Sesshoumaru growled. Inuyasha's eyes widened in understanding.

"The marshals?"

"Very good. Someone give the dog a prize," Sesshoumaru muttered. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and stood up. "I gotta go get dressed," he said as he dashed out the bedroom door. Sesshoumaru watched him go and sighed irritably.

'He's going to be the death of me yet,' he decided as he closed his bedroom door. Sesshoumaru walked into the living room and leaned against the balcony doors in front of the room's main entrance, deciding to wait right here for the new headaches, already identified as marshals, to arrive.

*11:00 AM*

Kagome approached the first FBI agent in her line of sights, a guy in his late twenties with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes.

"Excuse me," she said as she tapped on his shoulder. He turned away from the front desk clerk to her and smiled as they shook hands.

"Hi, you must be the marshals," he said as he shook Sango and Miroku's hands. "I'm Agent Terrence Kenji. And you are?"

"I'm Marshal Higurashi and they are Marshals Taijia and Houshi," Kagome replied as she gestured to Sango and Miroku. Agent Kenji smiled and motioned for them to follow him. As they boarded the elevator, Agent Kenji started explaining the FBI's progress.

"We haven't had any problems so far," he said as he pushed the button for the 14th floor. "No one's tried anything, but most of the death threats are directed to Mr. Takamada. Mr. Hitame is here just in case someone changes their mind. We'll stay around the hotel and the WCT branches, but you guys are responsible for them."

The elevator stopped and the doors opened for them to get off. Agent Kenji pointed to three doors and said "The door at the end of the hallway is your room, the one on the left is Takamada's and the one right across from it is Hitame's. Before you go," he paused as Kagome and the others turned to look at him.

"You should know that they fight. A lot."

"They…fight?" Sango said, obviously confused. Agent Kenji nodded. "Yeah. I've only been here a week, but they've fought at least twice."

"You mean yelling, right?" Miroku expected.

Agent Kenji shook his head. "No, I mean 'knock-down-drag-out-HBO-boxing-special' fight. The last one was yesterday in the hotel gym. When we heard it, we thought they were being attacked and tried to go in after them but something kept the door closed. We tried to break it down, tear it down, everything , but noting worked. After a few minutes, Takamada came out carrying an unconscious Hitame. He walked to the hotel manager, handed him a check and walked back to his room."

Kagome nodded as Sango and Miroku stared at Kenji in shock. 'That's just great,' Kagome thought as she thanked Kenji for the information. 'Now we're babysitters.'

"Marshal Higurashi?" Kenji called out. Kagome and the others stopped and turned to him.

"Yes?" Kagome said as he approached her. Kenji handed her a business card with his cell phone number on the back.

"If you need anything, and I mean anything, you give me a call," he said. Kagome nodded in thanks and reached to shake his hand. Kenji lifted it up and brushed his lips against her knuckles instead. "It was a pleasure meeting you." He boarded the elevator and waved goodbye to Sango and Miroku.

Sango and Miroku burst into giggles as Kagome tried to wipe her hand clean the instant the doors closed.

"He likes you," Sango cooed at Kagome's disgusted face.

"Yeah, that was smooth, the whole hand thing," Miroku gasped in feigned awe. "I'll have to use that."

Sango glowered at him as Kagome rolled her eyes and lead them to Takamada's door. "Be on your best behavior," Kagome warned, shaking her finger at them, sounding suspiciously like a mother talking to her kids before going to they're grandparents.

{SF: This is what my moms says to my brother and I before we go to our grandmother's. You don't want to know why, but it has something to do with a broken window, a thrown skillet and a near trip to the emergency room.}

Sango and Miroku nodded.

Kagome opened the door and lead them into the room. They walked down the small entryway, with Sango beside Kagome and Miroku behind them. They stopped abruptly when they reached the living room. Miroku, who wasn't paying attention at the time, crashed into them. Neither Sango or Kagome seemed to notice as they stared ahead of them.

'Wow,' Kagome thought as she tried really hard not to blush. 'Who is he?'

"Hot shit on a plate," Sango whispered.

'Yup, that about answers that question,' Kagome thought sardonically. 'Hot shit on a plate' was Sango-speech for, 'This dude is hot!'. Kagome hardly disagreed as she gazed at the guy in front of them. 'Hot shit on a plate with chips and dip is putting it lightly.'

He was leaning against the glass French doors that lead to the balcony. The sunlight streamed around him made him look as if he were some kind of god; with a long blonde chain draped over his shoulder to his waist, the black of the robe framing his chiseled chest past his perfect abs to the black silk pants. Venus herself couldn't refuse this perfection of man as his beautiful hazel eyes glared at them…

Wait a minute…

'GLARED at THEM?!!!'

'What the hell is this?' Sesshoumaru inwardly growled as he watched the three in front of him. The male seemed to have fallen at his companions abrupt stop, but they seemed preoccupied. He studied the females' clothing disapprovingly as they watched each other. The one on the left was normal, if not a little unexpected, in her red pants and tank top but the other female seemed to step right off the front page of 'Vogue'.

'What did they do, send the Victoria's Secret models to protect us?' Sesshoumaru thought sarcastically as his eyes followed the way the leather pants flowed over her hips to meet the fitted white shirt. He could almost swear he could see her bra through the hook-and-eye closures as she came out of whatever revere she and the other female fell into and approached him. She timidly brushed the tendril framing her heart-shaped face to the side as she looked up and extended her hand to him.

"Mr. Takamada, I presume," she said more than asked. Sesshoumaru glared down past his crossed arms to her hand and sniffed minutely. He could smell another male, one of the FBI agents he didn't particularly care for. 'She must have shaken hands with him,' he thought with no small amount of revulsion.

"How astute of you," he replied, ignoring her hand. She seemed to pout, lowering her hand as her bottom lip seemed to poke out just a bit before flashing him a bright smile. 'Why does she seem so familiar?' Sesshoumaru wondered as she opened her pretty bubble-gum pink lips to speak. 'Pretty? Where did that come from?'

"It's great to meet you. I'm Marshal Higurashi, and this is Marshal Taijia," she gestured to Sango, who recovered enough to sit down on the cream-colored couch in front of her. Sesshoumaru barely lowered his head in recognition.

"And Marshal Houshi," she said as Miroku sat down beside Sango. Sesshoumaru nodded again as Kagome turned back to him.

"I assume you are aware of why we're here."

Sesshoumaru nodded once, mentally deciding to stay where he was. "I am. However, I wasn't told who would be in charge," he said as he glanced at Miroku. Miroku shook his head and pointed to Kagome.

"Don't look at me, she's the boss."

Surprise flickered across Sesshoumaru's face for a second before returning back to the emotionless expression as he glared down at Kagome. 'This girl is in charge? The top of her head doesn't reach my chest! How could she be in charge?'

"You?" he said out loud. Kagome nodded. "Yes, why?"

"A female?"

Kagome nodded again, putting her hands on her hips. "Yeah, why? Do you have a problem with a woman heading over this assignment?" she said.

Sesshoumaru shook his head, noting the fire that blazed in her blue eyes. 'I might have underestimated her,' he thought as he responded. "No I do not. I just wasn't expecting-"

"For you to be dressed like a prostitute!" a gruff voice said from behind her. Kagome whirled around as Sango and Miroku stood up to face him.

Sesshoumaru mentally swore, but stopped cold at the look of shock on Inuyasha's face. He watched him curiously until he whispered,

"Kikyou?"

It wasn't loud enough for the humans around them to hear, but it came in loud and clear to Sesshoumaru's ears. He mentally groaned, realizing why the officer in front of him looked so familiar.

In that instant, he decided to keep Marshal Higurashi away from Inuyasha as much as possible.

Kagome turned around, ready to berate whoever let that insult escape their lips, but when she finally saw him she stopped. He paled right in front of her, and she could have sworn he said something. She walked toward him; thinking he were ill; and gently lead him to a lounge chair beside the couch. Kagome forgot her anger totally as she helped him sit down.

"Are you ok?" Kagome asked as she waved her hand in front of his face. Inuyasha blinked out of his stupor, then nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he huffed. Kagome smiled, "Mr. Hitame, right."

"Yeah, that's me. Who are you?"

Kagome introduced herself, Miroku and Sango again, flashed Inuyasha another smile, then backed away. Inuyasha secretly missed the attention, but crossed his arms over his chest and waited impatiently for her to finish whatever it was he interrupted.

"As you two know, one of us is supposed to be with you at all times, if not all three. While at home and here it's not a problem but when we're in public we're to be undercover. The way I see it, one of us will stay with one of you while whoever's left will stay here. Anyone have a suggestion?"

Sango spoke up first. "We could be interns when they go to work," she said as she glanced from Sesshoumaru to Inuyasha. "That is, if you two think it's a good idea."

"Sure," Inuyasha agreed. "I think so. What about you, Fluffy?"

Sesshoumaru frowned at him, but nodded in agreement.

"Great!" Kagome said, "Now which one of us will stay here?"

"Miroku should, since he's better at staying in one spot. Plus it would give him time to map the hotel," Sango said. Miroku nodded in agreement.

"OK, that was easy then." Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. "Since we have to be your interns, you should pick which one of us will stay with you."

Inuyasha sat up instantly, a wide grin on his face as he said, "I'd like-"

"You shall accompany me, Marshal Higurashi, though I have no need for an intern. I shall give Rin time off with pay and you take her place," Sesshoumaru interrupted, earning a foul look from Inuyasha. He growled softly, the sound lost to everyone's ears but Sesshoumaru's. Sesshoumaru growled back at the same volume, but at a different intensity. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha glared at each other for a few moments, then stopped when Inuyasha looked away in defeat. Sesshoumaru smirked and turned back to the girl in question.

Sango and Miroku watched the silent war between the brothers, then turned a concerned eye to Kagome. Sango fought the urge to gasp as Kagome paled to a ghostly white before them. She raised her left hand gingerly and rested it against her stomach, her fingers softly tapping it as she struggled to get her sporadic breathing under control. She seemed to calm when Inuyasha looked away, and released a small breath before returning to the task at hand.

"Well, that leaves Sango with you Mr. Hitame," Kagome said with a weak smile. Sesshoumaru nodded and motioned for Sango and Miroku to stand.

"That is fine with me. If you will excuse Inuyasha and I," Sesshoumaru said as he lead them to the door. "We have business to discuss."

Kagome and the others nodded. "Sure, not a problem. One of us will be right outside," she said as he shut the door.

Sango and Miroku immediately trapped Kagome between them, concern shining in their eyes.

"What was that about?" Miroku asked.

"What was what about?" Kagome countered as she tried to move past them.

"You know what," Sango said as she stepped back in Kagome's way. "It's your Spider-sense again, isn't it?"

"Spider-sense?" Miroku said, raising a quizzical brow. Kagome blushed as Sango explained.

"It's kinda what you'd call her 'gut-feeling', except it's a lot better than that. We've called it 'Spider-sense' since we were kids. As a matter of fact, it's how we met."

~~~~~Sango's Flashback~~~~~

A five year old Sango sat crying in a dark alley in downtown Tokyo. She was lost in this foreign city, separated from her parents all because she wanted a balloon from one of the vendors on the street. She called for them repeatedly, and somehow ended up in this alley. Sango sniffed as quietly as she could, trying not to attract attention from the strangers around her as she scanned the crowd for her mommy and daddy.

"Are you lost?" a small voice said behind her. Sango squeaked and turned around…only to find a girl a younger than her smiling at her. Sango smiled back warily.

"Yes. Have you seen my mommy and daddy?" Sango asked. The little girl shook her head, the dark ponytail at the crown flaring about like a whip.

"No, I haven't, but I bet they'd find you in the park!" she said. She grabbed Sango's hand and ran out of the alley to the park across the clearing in front of them. Sango stared at the smaller girl's strange clothes in awe, wanting to ask her what she was wearing. They stopped and sat down on one of the park benches and watched the people go by.

"What's your name?" the little girl asked.

"I'm Sango. What's yours?"

"Kagome!" the girl cheered. Sango giggled, then remembered what she wanted to ask.

"What are you wearing?"

"Oh, this is my miko outfit," Kagome showed off as she tugged on the small white haori and dusted off the red hakamas. "Grandpa says I have to wear this, because I'm a miko."

"Wow…what's a miko?"

"Sorta like a priestess in America. Are you from America?" Kagome asked. Sango nodded and Kagome cheered again.

"Me too! Maybe we can be penpals!"

"I'd like that," Sango agreed as three adults approached them.

"SANGO!"

Sango jerked up, then bolted from the bench to her mother's leg. "MOMMY!"

"Where have you been?" Sango's father asked as they walked closer to Kagome. Kagome's grandfather sat down beside her and smiled.

"See, you're daughter is fine. I knew my Kagome would find her," he said as he tugged Kagome's ponytail affectionately. Kagome squealed and swatted his hand away.

"Grandpa!"

Sango's mother and father sighed in relief as they asked Kagome how she found Sango in the first place.

"I used my Spider-sense!" Kagome said with a grin.

~~~~~Sango's Flashback~~~~~~

"Ever since then, we've called it her 'Spider-sense.' We didn't learn until years later that it was some kind of miko power."

"Miko, huh?" Miroku teased as Kagome's blush deepened.

"Yeah, but that was a long time ago," Kagome said as she walked past them to their room. "And we need a new name for it."

"What does it feel like?" Miroku asked as he picked up his bags and dragged them into the room when Kagome opened the door.

"It feels like butterflies are in my tummy," Kagome said truthfully.

"Then that's what it is!" Sango exclaimed as she tugged her suitcases into the room. "Butterflies!"

"That's almost as bad," Kagome said as she dropped her bags in front of her bedroom. "Nevermind it for now. Let's survey the hotel. Miroku, you stay here."

Miroku nodded in agreement as Sango and Kagome left him by Takamada's door. As the elevator descended, he could almost swear he heard growls coming from the room.

'I don't remember Takamada having a dog,' he thought as he sat down in one of the hall chairs.

*Sesshoumaru's Room*

"What was that about, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha hissed as he followed Sesshoumaru into his bedroom. Sesshoumaru ignored him as he opened his closet and searched for something to wear.

"Well?" Inuyasha growled from the doorway.

"If you must know, it's for your own good," Sesshoumaru finally said as he tossed a pair of black slacks to the foot of the bed.

"How do you figure that?" Inuyasha hissed again, his fists balling up.

"I heard what you said."

Inuyasha blinked, all the piss-and-vinegar evaporating into the air as he said "What are you talking about?"

Sesshoumaru brought out a cobalt blue dress shirt, then shook his head and put it back before answering. "You called her Kikyou."

"I did not."

"You did so, and although the resemblance is uncanny, it didn't warrant that kind of response."

"That's no reason to do what you did," Inuyasha griped as he sat on the foot of the bed. Sesshoumaru glanced at him over his shoulder before shaking his head.

"You're reaction right now is my reason. Don't fall for that girl. She is only here to make the government look good."

Inuyasha glared at him, his fists balled up again. "You can't tell me what to do, Fluffy. Get it through your head: I'll do what I want. As for falling for her, what do you know about it? You don't love anyone but yourself."

In an instant Inuyasha was out of the chair and suspended in the air by Sesshoumaru's hand. The nails lengthened to claws in an instant, and were digging mercilessly into Inuyasha's neck.

"Watch your tongue, Inuyasha! I'm more patient with you than I should be," Sesshoumaru snarled. "And DON'T presume to tell me about myself!" He flicked Inuyasha into the wall beside them, watching in barely masked rage as Inuyasha slid down the wall to the carpet. "Now leave. I won't get dressed with you in this room."

Inuyasha stood up slowly, his fists at his side as he glared daggers at Sesshoumaru's back as Sesshoumaru walked back to his closet. He finally gave up on the staring contest and stormed out of the room, passing a stunned Miroku on the way to his.

"Everything ok?" Miroku asked.

"Yeah," Inuyasha grumbled as he slammed his door shut. Miroku shrugged and went back to the book he found on the hall stand about women's lingerie.

*10:00 PM*

Kagome shoved Miroku and Sango to their rooms, giggling at their small protests. "Go ahead you guys. I'll stay up for the first four hours, then Miroku, then you Sango."

"I don't know about this Kagome," Sango said as Kagome shoved them into the room. "What if you need us?"

"Then I'll call you," Kagome said as she tossed her attaché into the room past them. "Get some sleep. Trust me, I can handle it."

Sango nodded reluctantly as Miroku hugged her from behind. "What are you doing?" she whispered as Miroku started to nibble on her ear.

"Kagome is graciously giving us this time alone. We should take advantage, don't you think?"

The next thing Kagome knew, she was standing in the hallway by herself staring at the closed room door. She sighed, smiled and turned around. She walked down the hallway and sat down in the chair Miroku occupied earlier, recounting the facts of today.

She and Sango covered all possible emergency escape routes in a matter of a few hours, then returned to Miroku so he could scout the entire 24-story hotel. Sango left Kagome in the hall so she could unpack, then waited patiently for Kagome to unpack as well. Everything had gone smoothly once Miroku came back. The only violence to be displayed were a few smacks upside Miroku's head.

The only time they saw either brother was around 6:00, when Mr. Hitame came out of his room. Before entering his room he stopped by Kagome and apologized for his earlier, forgotten, comment.

Kagome sighed again and reached under the chair for her book. She shifted slightly into a better position, then contented herself to a quiet four hours reading.

*11:00 PM*

Kagome groaned as she stood up and stretched. She glanced at her watch and groaned. 'Only 11? I thought it was later than that. Oh well.' She decided to tuck the book back into its hiding place and go to the water fountain at the end of the hallway for a glass of water. Kagome leaned forward, bracing herself as she slid the book back under the chair. A sudden wave of dizziness nearly knocked her off her feet as her stomach started to flutter. She managed to return to the chair as she tapped her fingers against her stomach.

'OK, this is weird. I didn't think this would be a problem. I guess I'll have to remedy this tomorrow.'

Kagome stood up slowly, waiting to see if she'd become dizzy again. She didn't, but the butterflies didn't leave her stomach. Kagome groaned, then walked toward the water fountain again. The butterflies seemed to increase as she passed Sesshoumaru's room. Kagome stopped, then backed up. Again, the butterflies intensified. Kagome released her stomach to open the sheath tied to arm as she opened the door.

Inside was pitch black. Kagome walked inside and shut the door, ignoring the darkness as she followed the funny feeling in her stomach across the floor to the living room. Surprisingly, she didn't bump into anything as she felt around in front of her. She finally found Sesshoumaru's bedroom door. The butterflies seemed to jump all at once, and it took everything Kagome had to keep from whimpering as she slowly turned the knob. She pushed the door open silently, then fell into an instinctive crouch. The butterflies disappeared instantly, replaced by a sense of calm as Kagome closed her eyes and listened to the room ahead of her.

For a moment, the only sound was Sesshoumaru's soft breathing as he slept. Kagome glanced to the glass balcony doors and watched as a shadow dropped silently onto the balcony. The figure walked up to the door, then something scraped against the glass. A sudden *ping* and a second later a hand came through the hole in the glass and unlocked the door. Kagome reached inside the sheath and pulled out two daggers as a figure dressed in black came into the room. She watched as it crept to Sesshoumaru's bedside silently, stopping mere inches from his face. Kagome gripped the needle-like weapons in the fingers of her right hand as she crouched lower, waiting for her chance to act.

The figure reached to its side and withdrew a machete, holding it high over Sesshoumaru's sleeping form before plunging down. Kagome sprang into action instantly, leaping forward as she tossed the daggers at the machete. The three blades clicked into each other, landing beside Sesshoumaru's head as Kagome pounced on the would-be assassin. They fell heavily to the floor, but made no sound as Kagome leaped to her feet first. The figure jumped up seconds after, but not in enough time as Kagome left hooked it in the ribs and sent a right uppercut to its jaw. It fell back down, but this time managed to take a vase down with it. The vase shattered on impact, the sound sharp and abusive to Kagome's ears. She straightened and clamped her handcuffs on the still form.

A sudden low growl from behind her made Kagome's blood run cold. She stood up slowly, her hands raised as she calmed herself enough to speak.

"It's only me, Mr. Takamada. Marshal Higurashi, remember?"

The lights suddenly flickered to life as Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku and a host of FBI agents stormed the room. Kagome blinked as the sudden brightness assaulted her eyes, but managed to turn around. Sesshoumaru stood beside his bed as Sango and Miroku walked past him to the figure on the floor.

"What happened?" one of the FBI agents asked. Kagome tapped her stomach absentmindedly as she answered.

"I was standing guard outside when I heard a noise. I came in and found whoever this is trying to kill Mr. Takamada. I stopped them."

"Wow," Inuyasha said as he watched the FBI agents drag the figure away. "Not bad for a girl."

Kagome huffed and walked past him, leaving him with Sesshoumaru as Sango and Miroku followed her out of the room. "We'll be right back," she said before leaving the suite.

Inuyasha chuckled and elbowed Sesshoumaru in the ribs when the door closed. "Getting old, aren't you big brother?" he jeered. Sesshoumaru shot him a dirty look before glancing back at the balcony.

"She's lying."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Sure…you're just mad because a human girl saved your life."

Sesshoumaru went to the balcony doors and shook his head. "No, she's lying."

"How do you know that?"

"I never went to sleep."

"WHAT?!!"

"Really, Inuyasha. Other people are trying to sleep."

"There's nobody else on this floor," Inuyasha retorted. "What do you mean you were awake?"

Sesshoumaru pulled back the curtains, revealing the hole in the glass. "I mean from the time she came in the door, I was awake. I could smell her and how nervous she was, as she opened my bedroom door. I thought she wanted something until she crouched in the doorway. Then her scent disappeared. That's when everything went quiet. I could tell she was waiting for something, but I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't move except to open my eyes. I saw when she tackled whoever that was, and when she deflected the knife. I saw her fight, and she's the miko."

Inuyasha groaned, then grinned. "And you insisted she stay with you." He started to laugh, holding his sides as he continued. "You'll be lucky if she doesn't purify you in a week."

"Shut up and go to bed, Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru growled as Kagome and the others came back into the suite.

"Um, I guess now someone has to stay with you," Kagome said as she entered the bedroom. "I'll stay here until my shift is over, Sango will replace me in the hall. Then we'll all rotate-"

"That is not necessary," Sesshoumaru informed them.

"Why's that?" Kagome asked.

"You're the only one I want to stay in here."

Kagome quirked an eyebrow at him. "Do you mean, stay in here?"

Sesshoumaru nodded and Miroku shrugged. "It does make sense, Boss," Miroku said.

"Stop calling me that." Kagome sighed, then shrugged as she settled into the easy chair. "Fine. I'll stay here. Sango, you replace me in the hall. You guys switch in four hours."

"Ok," they agreed as they and Inuyasha left the room. Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru went back under the covers and shut off the light.

"Are you ok, Mr. Takamada?" she asked into the darkness.

"Yes, thank you." Kagome sighed and was starting to relax when

"Although it will be difficult to sleep in the nude with you here."

-------

{::SF comes on stage wheeling in a mummy::}

SF: Hi people! Welcome to chapter two, 'I'm Not Just a Girl'. I had to prove that earlier, which explains the mummy.

Inuyasha: Where did that come from, anyway?

SF: Um…would you believe I bought it?

{::The mummy starts to move, scaring everyone onstage::}

Shippou: {::jumping on Kagome's shoulder::} Why's it moving, Kagome-mama?

Kagome: I don't know, unless- {::walks up to mummy. There's a silence scroll covering its mouth::}

Kagome: Is this one of yours, Shippou?

Shippou: Nope, not me. {::reaches for silence scroll::}

SF: NO!!!! DON'T DO-

{::Shippou touches silence scroll. Nothing, then::}

Sesshou: GET ME OUT OF HERE WENCH!!!

SF: {::whaps Sesshou on the head::} Now now. After you interrupted my nap, you're lucky you still have any hair. I think I did good.

Inuyasha: {::laughing::} I think you did too!

Sesshou: Just wait until I get out of here.

SF: {::sticks out her tongue at Sesshou::} You can't! A virgin has to touch you, and if Kagome or Sango comes within inches of you, I'll fry them to a crisp!

Sango: Who said I'd help him?

Kagome: You can't leave him like that!

SF: {::crouching at Sesshou's feet::} I can and will. Come give me a hug, Shippou!

{::Shippou, Rin and SF's muse run to give SF a hug. They crash into each other, then into SF::}

SF: {::as she and Rin fall into Sesshou::} SHIT! SHITSHITSHIT!!!!!

{::Cast goes silent, then::}

Sesshou: {::standing up::} I'm free…how, unless…{::smiling wickedly::} Come here SF. I want to test something.

SF: Um, nuh-uh. {::Sesshou chases SF into the rafters, again::} Sucks! {::glowers as Inu cast laughs::} I knew I shouldn't have used that spell. Thanks kids!

SF's muse: You're welcome! The responses are below.

{SF: Um, Sesshoumaru's pajamas have a link. They're at 'Frederick's of Hollywood' under the product #s 01145 and 01144.}

Oh yeah, I've found a quote for the authors out there. It's:

Tenet insanabile multos scribendi cacoethes. (The incurable itch of writing possesses many.)

-Juvenal, 'Satire VII'

Fanfiction-

Fawn the Panther: Thanks for much for the review! Come back soon!

LLF: Where are your muses? I wish I could get rid of mine as easily. Oh well. Sesshou's here finally. Sesshou: See, everyone wants to see me. SF: Oh shut up, Fluffy. Sesshou: {::grabs SF's waist::} Don't get started. You really don't want the aftereffects, do you? SF: {::blushing::} No, Sesshou. Now let go. {::Sesshou shakes head::} Why not? Sesshou: I like being right here. SF: For the love of...{::sigh::} Thanks for the review! I swear, you're so annoying Sesshou!

Mistress Fluffy: Thanks for the compliment! I'm updating as soon as possible!

Kidoairaku: I didn't mean to get so technical with the clothing. I also remembered that ff doesn't do links, so I just said the websites and the product #. As for all the information, I needed it so that no one would be lost. Just a security measure, but an annoying one at that. Thanks for the love!

Jschu21: Thanks for the compliment. More's coming next Wednesday!

Rogue Falcon: Another falcon! Yay! Thanks for the compliment!

Arella: Thanks for the compliment! I'm so glad you like it still, even after two chapters! I can't say who Kagome's dream man is, but trust and believe he'll show up sooner or later. I thought the idea of Kagome protecting him was hilarious, to be truthful. You know how he is and all.

Sesshyangel: I swear, you catch me in every story I write! The 'K' for Inu-chan's mother is a different 'K'. I think it's 'Katherine' or something like that. N-E-Ways, the Tenseiga is more like a surgical laser shaped like and as small as a pin. It's called DUI here. I don't know why. I didn't notice the WCT thing. I honestly wasn't trying to. Honestly! The gumballs are a Shippou special, so I'd have to ask him about that. I thought Miroku as an Aussie was tres cool, plus I love a man with a smooth accent. I'm such a sucker. Sango's advice is a trip, and Kagome's still trying to get that tid-bit out of her head. She'll heal, I assure you.

Reality: I tried to update the summary, but the stupid thing wouldn't let me! I'm thinking about putting the summary inside the story. That's one vote for a dead Kikyou.

Tessa: Thank you! I hope it stays that way!

del_kaidin: Here it is!

LyCheECanDy: Thanks for the praise! I'm one too!

LuckyNeko: I lot of people like the ATL thing. Sesshou and Inu-chan have different last names b/c Inu-chan's mother kept her maiden name when she and his father married. Holler back if you have any more questions. I love questions.

Tokia: Woah. I take it that's one more vote for a dead Kikyou. Where are the Kikyou fans, not that I pay you crazys any attention! Nah, I'm just playing! Seriously though, don't you want to defend her in some way? No? Oh well hell. I won't fight progress. I'm coming with another chapter next Wed.

AkzTp: I'm not mad at you, I swear! I never was! I don't stay mad anyway, it hurts my fragile brain. That's one more vote for Kikyou deader-than-hell. (Sorry. Falconisms are hard to drop.) Yup, I want to get the full point across with the clothes, b/c I suck at describing clothes. As for my muse saving me, you haven't read my bio page. Go there and see what the little twit did. Sold me out for a lousy $100! Where is the love? Ack! I love that song, sorry. Um, Kouga's in here somewhere, and everyone is what they are (sorta) in the anime. I totally forgot about Ah-Un. I guess they belong in there too, since I like them far more than I like Jaken. Stupid toad!

Soudesuka-Shruikens: I'm sure whoever I said that to probably had a heart attack and are trying to recover as we speak. They're probably madder than all hell at me too. Oh well. Thanks for the love.

Blankis: That's another vote for a dead Kikyou. I don't like her either, but I try to include the Kikyou lovers too. They need love, just like cross-dressers.

Animegirl11: You're the second person to say that, and I'm not waiting on a third. I'm just going to switch it to WCT. Yes, I'm that lazy. It's a family curse, like Miroku's hand. Except I don't walk up to guys saying 'Can I bear your child?' even though I'm almost positive if I did Sesshou would have a duck, five pigs and a cow. And that's pretty intense coming from a male inu youkai.

Tenshi no Yami: That's another vote for 'Dead Kikyou'. Thanks for the time!

Mediaminer:

Lady Sesshoumaru: Thanks so much! I did sneak that in, didn't I? >wink-wink Someone's already asked for the exploding gumballs. Shippou's working on them now. And that's one vote for Kikyou's back.

Amanda: Thanks for the praise! I need it, b/c this fic is nuts. Um, that's one vote for Kikyou dead. I can't stand that clay pot either.

Makumba-chan: I can't send the chapter to you, because it's not finished, but I can put you one the update list. Just send me your email address. Thanks for the love!