Bereavement

Chapter 1: Prologue

The National Museum in Cairo, Egypt was silent. The air had a slightly stale taste to it, most warm places did. It was usually dark for a capital city and the grounds of the national museum were not an exception. All the tourists had gone back to their hotels and the staff had cleared out.

The only people that wandered the halls of the museum were the night security. Most people didn't envy their job. They had to walk around a huge building with dead bodies in it by themselves. It wasn't just that the bodies were dead. Oh no, they were wrapped up in nasty rotted cloth. Plus the chance of being cursed by said dead bodies… not pleasant…

It didn't help when you were a sissy. One such man was Jamul Swithens, or has most people called him, Jimmy. He had a boring name. He had had a boring life as well. He'd grown up in the states before moving to Egypt when he was 14. If it had been anyone else it might have made him seem more exotic but not Jimmy. He lived down the street from his mother and he had never had a girlfriend. Jimmy wasn't a risk taker; he had only taken this job because he had no other skills. So Jimmy was a sissy.

Jimmy shined his flashlight around the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary. He tried not to jump at the warped shadows the items gave on the walls. This room wasn't ordinary; there was a coffin in the corner. He remembered that story about all those people that had been cursed by King Tut. It wasn't Tut's body in there but it was probably a distant relative of some sort. For all Jimmy knew placing curses on people was a family thing.

The security guard suppressed a shudder before turning to walk out of the room. He didn't understand why security was necessary. What were the chances someone would try to steal something from a museum anyway. That kind of thing didn't happen in real life. Movies maybe, but it couldn't happen now days.

As Jimmy was leaving the room he failed to notice two suspended forms hanging from the ceiling. They watched the security officer walk out of the room before giving small sighs of relief.

"That was close." The first one whispered as he began to lower himself to the ground.

His face was covered so that only his eyes were visible and he was wearing form-fitting clothes, the long time attire of a thief.

His partner blew out another sigh and nodded. "It's right under us. Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," the man reached up and turned on the two way earpiece under his ski-mask. "Hey Koinu, are you ready with that distraction."

There was a soft crackle of static before a short angry answer came from the person on the other end of the line.

"Don't call me that."

"Kagome calls you that."

"You're pushing it Miroku."

"Cute little Koinu…"

The person on the other line cut him off. "It's set, you have 90 seconds. I'll get you back after you get the bracelet asshole."

The line was cut off. Miroku chuckled to himself before turning back to his companion. Her face was covered, as his was, but he could tell that she was glaring at him.

"Don't call him that."

"You call him that."

"Exactly, it was my idea so stop using it to tease him."

"Hmm…"

The conversation was cut short as a loud boom echoed through the museum. Kagome and Miroku quickly lowered themselves down the ground

Alarms were going off at other end of the museum and all the doors the exhibits were automatically closed and locked. They were closed in but the security was closed out. It was a long time fault of any security system anywhere. Lock all the doors so that the thief is locked inside the museum, humbly waiting to be taken to jail. Then the police all congratulate each other and go out for donuts.

Sadly life doesn't work like it does on TV.

Kagome and Miroku took their time cutting a hole out of the protective glass around the Bracelet of Queen Ahhotep. It wasn't the most famous treasure that had been recovered from King Tut's tomb but it was worth a whole lot of money. In the end isn't that the only thing that matters?

Kagome slipped her hand in the small hole and extracted the bracelet. She held it up slightly peering at it intently before giving a small nod and handing it to Miroku.

He pulled out a small case from his pocket and carefully placed the bracelet in the center.

"Well this was easy." Miroku said shedding his black clothes. He pulled the ski mask off and ruffled his hair back into place. "How much do you think we'll get for it?"

"The woman sounded desperate on the phone and Shippo says that the first half of our payment has gone through."

Miroku nodded and walked toward the front of the exhibit where an iron gate had dropped down from the ceiling, caging the two thieves inside. Kagome fell silent as she gazed through the bars of the gate. Miroku noticed that her eyes were gleaming happily with anticipation. It was the tell-tale signs that she was beginning to get into character. She had been an actress before she had been corrupted by the little group the four of them made. She had been born to perform.

Miroku was suddenly broken from his thoughts when Kagome called out to someone passing by the gate.

" Hey can you help us out? We were patrolling the room when the gate closed on us. "

Miroku also walked closer to the gate so he could peer out at the security officer who had been rushing by. He only understood less than half of what his companion was saying, not being as fluent in Egyptian as Kagome.

The officer, who just happened to be the one who had almost walked in on Miroku and Kagome's thievery, eyed them warily.

" This is my sector. What are you too doing here? "

" Could you let us out? " Miroku managed to say.

Jimmy frowned at the man's accent. He didn't remember anyone he worked with to have such a strange way of speaking. Kagome's eyes became desperate.

" Can you speak English? "

"Of course I can." Jimmy scoffed, still eyeing the pair suspiciously.

Miroku's grin widened. He could defiantly speak English.

"We know we weren't supposed to be in here but you know…we just started dating." Miroku drawled while wrapping his arm around Kagome. The woman's face remained pleading as she stared at Jimmy, but Miroku could feel her tense.

Jimmy's eyes lit with understanding and Miroku's smile widened. Jimmy walked forward to enter the code to the room to let the couple out.

"You're luck I came along. I'm the only one who knows this code. You two would have gotten in trouble if anyone else had found out what you were doing in there."

"Thanks a lot." Kagome sighed in mock relief as she ducked under the gate as it rose. She drew back her fist and punched Jimmy into oblivion when he turned towards her again.

The guard crumbled to the ground like paper as Kagome peeled her gloves off and stuffed them in her deep pockets. Miroku reached back into the room to grab the small duffle bag with all of their clothes and equipment in it.

"Did you have to punch him?" he asked as he walked around the prone guard's body on the ground.

Kagome turned to Miroku with an angry look. "As soon as we get out of here, I'm going to hurt you. Then I'll tell Inuyasha and Sango about your little display back there so they can hurt you too."

Miroku flinched and quickly tried to defend himself as the two thieves walked calmly down the hallway. Thanks to Inuyasha's bomb at entrance A, all the security appeared to have left their posts to investigate. All according to plan.

Thankfully this museum had more than one exit and Inuyasha being as talented as he was with explosives as well as hacking past any kind of security system, he should have no problem making sure Kagome and Miroku got out fine. Sango would be waiting for them in the car they had rented under one of their fake names and they would be out of the country by morning.

"Hey where are you two?" Growled a voice from both Kagome's and Miroku's earpieces.

"We are 1 minute, 30 seconds away from entrance B. Are you ready for us?" Miroku said quickening his walk, Kagome doing the same next to him.

"Do you have the bracelet?" Inuyasha asked distractedly. Miroku could tell simply by his voice that Inuyasha had begun to hack into the security system of the museum. He didn't wait for an answer. "You have a 30 second window in 5…4…3…2…1…"

Kagome pulled the door open and ducked into the shadow of the building.

"When will you and Sango be at point C?" she asked Inuyasha through the microphone attached to the front of her shirt.

"2.47 minutes."

"Have you ever been wrong?" she asked turning her nose up at his precise answer.

"Keh…No…"

Miroku shook his head in wry amusement as he peered around. The back of the museum looked much like the back of warehouse. There were large storage trucks lined up waiting to be filled with the newest exhibit that was going on tour. What better time to steal something from the museum when its security was least organized?

"The gates going to open for 30 seconds and I'll black out all the cameras in the area…Go, now."

Miroku and Kagome sprinted out from the cover of the shadows to the back gate at the end of the museum grounds. The gate opened as soon as they reached it and shut right behind them. A black BMW pulled up and stopped in front of them. The two thieves skidded to a stop and calmly opened the doors slipping in the cool interior of the car.

Kagome smiled at the driver of the car it smoothly slid down the road. "Hey Sango, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha, who was sitting next to her in the back seat, glanced up at her and grunted.

Kagome proceeded to take off the stolen security uniform and handed it to Miroku who had already taken his off and was stuffing it into another duffel bag. She fanned herself with her hands and tugged on her T-shirt.

"Next time, if we have to wear so many layers, let's go somewhere cool, like Canada."

"Superb idea," Miroku said as he reached to turn on the AC, also trying to cool down.

"Nothing to steal in Canada," Sango said shaking her head with a smile as she jerked the wheel, the car skidding around a corner. "Britain maybe…"

Inuyasha shook his head but kept his eyes on his laptop. "No…I just got a message from the runt. We're headed home for now."

"Where's the drop off for the bracelet?" Miroku asked turning around in his seat to look at Inuyasha.

The hacker's golden eyes flashed as his computer screen was reflected twice in them. His long platinum blond hair, hung in his face as his posture slumped even more.

"The runt didn't say."

"Maybe the contact will call us herself." Kagome muttered, her voice muffled as she reached under Miroku's seat for the cooler they had stashed there, full of water and soda.

Miroku yawned and shrugged as he turned back to face the front. Sango noticed and glanced at him, then at Kagome through the rearview mirror.

"You guys can get some sleep if you want. It's going to be a long drive to Libya. We'll wake you when we reach the boarder."

Kagome smiled gratefully at the other woman as she stretched out in the back seat resting her head on Inuyasha's knee. He glanced down at her as she easily fell asleep, then he then glanced up at Miroku to make sure that he was doing the same.

"Don't worry Inuyasha, if he wakes up I'll tell you." Sango said, trying hard not to laugh as she kept her eyes on the road.

She took a sharp turn onto the interstate but everyone in the car was used to her aggressive driving style and remained unaffected. Inuyasha pulled a pair of silver rimmed glasses from his pocket and glanced at Kagome and Miroku warily before slipping them on.

"I don't understand why you're so ashamed because you wear glasses." Sango said softly while calmly swerving around a large truck.

"I shouldn't need them."

"So, I think you look cute. I'm sure Kagome would appreciate a change in wardrobe though."

"Shut up Sango, before I blow you up."

"Shippo, has the contact called you yet?"

Shippo minimized his simulation game and brought up the communication link that Inuyasha had made for him. His small face upturned into a smirk.

"You get the bracelet?"

"Use your pint sized brain. Of course we got the bracelet. What about our money?"

Shippo peered into his computer and proceeded to spin around in his desk chair for a few seconds before looking up at Inuyasha again. "Is the bracelet pretty?"

"If you want your 15 percent you better stop messing with me. I do have access to your computer you know."

Shippo quickly sobered and began to pull up information, sending it quickly to the hacker before he did anything unfortunate to Shippo's 'baby'. "I'm also sending you info on a new client. No name, which isn't a big surprise. He says she wants to meet you personally."

Inuyasha was silent for a few seconds as his eyes scanned the new data. Shippo took the opportunity to spin around in his chair a few more times. He quickly got dizzy and decided to stop, turning back to Inuyasha's image on his desktop. "So what do you think?"

"We just got home a few hours ago. Miroku will be in contact." With that the connection was severed.

Shippo huffed angrily and pulled up his simulator again. "Not even a thank you…sometimes I think I should charge more. Jeez…dealing with that for just 15 percent…"

A voice called out from downstairs, cutting off Shippo's angry muttering. "Shippo dear, it's time for dinner…you got another check in the mail from Tashio Inc. too!"

"Okay, I'll be right down!" Shippo's eyes didn't stray from the computer screen as his small hands flew over his keyboard. "Die, stupid…brainless…Die Damn it!"

"I mean now Shippo! Get off the computer before I throw it away!"

Shippo bared his teeth but he did pause the game before jumping down from his desk chair and bounding down the steps. His mother greeted him with an irritated look but his father chuckled and ruffled his son's hair when he sat down next to him at the table.

"Honestly, what do you do on that thing all day?"

Shippo rolled his eyes at his mother's grumbling and dove into his dinner. He knew that she actually expected an answer, unlike most parents. "Nothing really…pass the salt?"

"Sure Kokoro, what else cold you expect an 11 year old to do on the computer…pass the pepper?"

"I don't know…it seems that he's spending so much time on it…pass the rice?"

"It's not that long mom," Shippo mumbled around a mouth full of food, "…pass the salt?"

"It's right next to you,"

"Thanks mom,"

"So those checks have been coming in for quite a while now. When do you think they'll stop?"

"Kokoro, who cares? It helps pay the bills…pass the pepper?"

"It's right next to you,"

"Thanks dear,"

Shippo's mother sighed as Shippo finished stuffing his dinner into his mouth. He jumped down from the table, still chewing his meal. He paused long enough to peck his mother on the cheek in thanks for dinner before bounding back up the stairs.

"It's just not healthy to spend that much time in his room. Instead of buying him that new computer part he wanted we should get him a bike, don't you think?"

Takaku nodded vaguely and smiled at his wife. "That's nice…pass the pepper?"

Kokoro blew out a sigh and went back to picking at her food.

Kagome stretched as she ambled into the kitchen, her jaw cracking as she gave a huge yawn.

"Hello Kagome."

Kagome nodded vaguely towards Sango as the young woman stood at the stove, cooking eggs by the smell. She plopped down onto the bench at the breakfast nook and leaned back, closing her eyes.

"Where are the guys? They're going to miss the food."

Sango looked up from her cooking with a sour look. "Inuyasha's still in his room and Miroku's looking up information on our new client." the older girl suddenly broke into a smile. "It seems like this one is a high payer. Shippo scored big time."

Kagome's sleepy looked turned into an excited one. "So where are we going this time? I've always wanted to go to Italy. Are we going there?"

Sango shrugged, "Maybe…"

Sango set the platter of eggs in front of Kagome and pulled two small plates from the cabinet. Kagome started eating as Sango poured a cup of coffee. She put five teaspoons of sugar in it and held the cup in one hand as she ruffled through the refrigerator with the other. She pulled out a few energy bars and vitamin water and closed the fridge door with her foot.

Kagome finished her eggs and watched Sango began a count down.

"3…2…1…"

Both Inuyasha and Miroku ambled into the kitchen from opposite sides at the same time.

Inuyasha had one of their communicators in his hand, screwdriver in his mouth and a length of wires running down his arm as he fiddled with the small piece of equipment. Miroku had a large stack of papers in both hands and was pushing a box with his foot.

They both walked around the island and sat down on either side of Kagome without looking up.

"Sango?" both voices called at the same time.

Sango smiled and placed the coffee in front of Inuyasha and the energy bars and vitamin water in front of Miroku. They both groped around the table and Sango pushed the items into each man's reach with a sigh.

"Thanks," two voices chorused together.

Kagome snorted and reached for more eggs.

"Hey where'd the…"

"Here Kagome, I made extra." Sango dumped a pile of eggs onto Kagome's plate directly from the skillet.

Inuyasha and Miroku both looked up and blinked. "You made eggs?" They asked at the same time, eyes pleading.

Sango nodded and smiled. "Correct, I made eggs. Kagome ate the eggs because she showed up to breakfast on time and actually eats food, unlike you two."

"Well maybe if you'd save us some eggs we'd eat them," Miroku whined as he watched Sango dig into her own food.

Kagome burped loudly as she finished her second helping and got to her feet. "I'll be playing with the guns if you need me."

Miroku looked up from Sango to pin Kagome with a grin. "I don't think so. We have to get ready to meet our new client."

Kagome slid back into her seat and glanced at her partners with a confused frown. "Meet the client? As in see their face?"

Miroku nodded and reached for the box near his feet. He pulled out a stack of papers and tapped them lightly on the table, clearing his throat as he readied himself to begin. When he looked up he was rewarded with three glares.

"Was that necessary?" Sango asked as she raised one for her eyebrows.

Miroku smiled and straightened the papers again. "I believe it most definitely was."

"Get on with it," Inuyasha snapped from behind his cup of coffee.

"Okay then…Name: Kagura Kaze. Date of birth: 1978. Current address located in Salt Lake City, Utah, although she hasn't been seen there for many months. I wasn't able to find anything about her living relatives so I'm guessing that she doesn't have any." Miroku cleared his throat. "Her current occupation is classified. I couldn't find much on her."

Sango looked up from her eggs to glance at all the papers Miroku had brought with him. "If you couldn't find much, then what's all that?"

"Information on the item she wants us to…acquire for her."

"Why not just say steal?" Inuyasha asked with a roll of his eyes.

"Acquire sounds far more professional and far less illegal."

Inuyasha just grunted.

Sango looked up from her empty plate and burped. "When and where?"

"Soon and I have no idea. Shippo said that she should be contacting us within the next few days. She told him that she wanted to meet us personally and that she would be coming to us."

Kagome shook her head in confusion. "That's odd. She must be a newbie."

Miroku shrugged and was about to comment when a loud sizzling sound cut him off. Everyone turned to stare at Inuyasha who was blinking owlishly into space. His hands, as well as the communicator that rested between them, was smoking and his long hair was standing on end. Three of the thieves were silent as they gazed at their fourth companion.

"Inuyasha?"

Said hacker/inventor turned to Kagome and he blinked. "What?"

"Did you just electrocute yourself?"

Inuyasha went back to staring into space. "Yeah…I think I did…"

"Are you okay?" Sango asked slowly, waving a hand in front of his face.

He nodded.

"This makes it 487 times this year Inuyasha," Miroku stated worriedly.

Another silent nod.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Kagome asked hesitantly touching his shoulder.

Inuyasha just nodded and staggered to his feet.

"Where are you going!" Kagome exclaimed jumping up after him.

Inuyasha turned back to give them another blank stare. "I'm going…to take a nap. Under no circumstances…is anyone to wake me. If I'm not out here by this time tomorrow call the morgue."

Sango, Miroku and Kagome nodded and Inuyasha staggered down the hallway to the wing of the house that he called home. The kitchen fall silent as the three remaining people in it watch the place he had disappeared. After a few moments of stillness Miroku coughed and got to his feet. Both Kagome and Sango jumped and turned to glare at him. He blinked in surprise.

"What? I didn't do anything."

The two women glared at him for a few moments more before looking away.

"I'll be playing with the weapons," Kagome said.

"I'll be in the garage," Sango said seconds later.

"I'm going to find my camera before Inuyasha gets his hair to lie down again," Miroku said seconds after Sango.

Then the three of them disappeared down separate hallways without looking back.

"So…what information were you able to gather?"

"There are four of them. The youngest's name is Kagome Higurashi. She's 19 years old. She went to collage for acting, history and foreign language for 2 years before dropping out. She was born in Japan but she hasn't been there for many years. I was unable to find more than that."

"The others?"

"The next, Inuyasha Tashio. He's also 19 years old. He finished high school in under 3 years but never applied for collage, despite the many scholarships he was offered. He was born in Japan but when his mother died he moved to California to live with his father. After he finished high school at age 15 he fell off the face of the earth. No records exist on him after that."

"Very well. Continue."

"The next Sango Tatakau. She's 21 years old. She also finished high school early. She graduated at 16 and went to MIT tech for engineering. She dropped out after 3 years and there are no records of her existence after that. She was born in California but moved to Illinois when she was 7.

"I want information on her family. All you can give me. I want to have leverage over them."

"Yes sir…"

"Continue."

The oldest is Miroku Kibarashi. He's 24 years old. I have no information on him at all."

"Why is that?"

"There isn't any."

"Look again."

"Yes sir."

"I want to know as much as I can before you meet with them."

"Yes sir."

(AN): New story? Yes I think so. Updates will be slow but long. Sorry folks. Review and tell me what you think. Is it horrible? Should I cut off my fingers and never write again?

Are coconuts seeds?

(Muse: No they're fruits. We've been through this.)

(coughs)

Read and Review. No I don't own Inuyasha. Go Sparky Go!