A.N. Finally a sequel to "Fleeting Encounters". This is the first chapter in what should be a threeshot, maybe a four. I do not own Inuyasha or Dolls.
"Please, do not resort to violence. Please do not join the ranks of the so called 'doll hunters'. The R.O.T. Act says that we cannot reform. It says that we are beyond such an idea, that we must be put down like dogs. I say 'we' because all of us here are capable of atrocities, as is the nature of man. But we are also capable of kindness, of love, of compassion and understanding." Blue eyes blazed like fire, passion flowing through the young woman's entire being.
Cheers erupted from a large portion of the crowd, flashes going off left and right as photographs were taken. They were all feeding off her energy, passions running high. The frenzy had started.
"Defy the R.O.T. Act, not with violence, but reform, the very thing it doubts. Reform the minds of those who pass laws, by showing them what we are! We are not animals. Fight the ideas, do not fight the Tokkei. Doing so makes you a murderer, same as what you say they are. But even they can be reformed, with the laws-Change the law, don't kill the enforcers!" The woman was gesturing, drawing them in further.
Gunshots rang out, followed by screams as the woman was pushed to the ground, clutching her shoulder.
Mikami shut the TV off, adjusting his glasses as he regarded the first brigade. "As I'm sure you know, that was Higurashi Kagome, our philosophical enemy of sorts. As of late she has been targeted by assassins. We are uncertain as to the origin of these attacks, but there are many theories. Igarashi?"
Clearing his throat, the male stepped forward, taking the lead. "From what we gather in Intel, Higurashi has been targeted by extremists on both sides-doll hunters and R.O.T. supporters alike seem to have found their common enemy. But there is another theory floating out there... That Higurashi herself orchestrated the attack, to gain publicity."
Shouta shook his head, looking at the file he was handed. "Not her style. She's far too... Sincere." He frowned a bit, unsure how to phrase it properly.
"And how do you know her?" Raising an eyebrow crudely, Igarashi openly stared at the captain.
Coughing, the brunet gave an awkward smile. "Hatsui has often frequented her meetings, and has a personal friendship with her. She's very... Honest in everything she does. She doesn't approve of publicity stunts and refuses to get involved with organizations that endorse dramitizations of the truth."
Smiling, a rather pretty male with long hair nodded in agreement. "Her friendship with Tsukino-sama also shows a certain straight-forward approach. He is not one to put up with such things-Especially from an enemy." His tone was soft, but thoughtful. Many had tried to figure out the friendship between the two who so opposed each other.
Silent as ever, Usaki simply stared at the now vacant screen where he'd seen the woman fall. His lips were in a thin line.
Seeing this, the captain arched an eyebrow. It was unusual to see any sort of reaction from the blond man. "Usagi-kun? Do you know her?"
"No," he snapped, looking away. His features were blank once more, looking every bit the doll people accused them all of being. "And that's not my name."
Meeting Sei's eyes, Shouta arched an eyebrow, receiving only a shrug in response. "Does little Usagi-kun have a crush on the pretty lady?"
"Shut up," the blond replied darkly, his mask slipping only a moment before falling back into place.
Mikami cleared his throat. "Your mission is to protect Higurashi Kagome while investigating the origins of the attack."
"Ha! The Tokkei's greatest enemy getting protected by the Tokkei. Irony." Igarashi chuckled.
x~x~x~x
"They tried to kill her, Sesshomaru! This isn't some fucking political bullshit. We need to rally our people. Kagome is a part of our community." Shippou gripped the cellphone tightly, anger rolling off of him in waves.
"Calm down, Shippou-chan. I'm sure there's already an investigation underway." Wincing slightly as she adjusted her button down shirt a bit, her right shoulder burned just a little. It didn't bother her so much as it bothered her youkai companions.
"Kit, cease and desist your petulance. A full investigation has been started, and the first brigade of the Tokkei elite has been selected as her personal bodyguards," Sesshomaru responded coolly on his end of the line, seemingly not troubled.
"What if they did it? She's their enemy!" the younger male shot back.
"Immensely doubtful." The older youkai sounded exasperated, to the trained ear at least. "Now, stay where you are. I'll be there when the Tokkei arrive."
Click.
Growling, Shippou almost chucked the phone, but calmed when his mother touched his arm. "I'm just... You could have died. I just got you back." He sat down on the edge of the bed, drawing her into his lap and holding her tightly, his nose in the crook of her neck. "I'm sorry, Okaa-san. I shouldn't have gotten you involved in this."
Amusement passed through her eyes as she stroked his hair. "Shippou... I've been clawed, stabbed, chased off the edge of a cliff, poisoned, beaten, and almost eaten. Getting shot is just another to add to the list."
He knew that. Honestly, he did. But he'd been younger then. Kagome was invincible and Inuyasha and the rest would protect her. Now things were different. Five centuries had given him enough life experience to know she wasn't invincible and was very human. She could die crossing the street, going for a walk, by gunshot, stabbing, or any other manner of foul play or bad luck.
"Everything will be fine. Let's just take one thing on at a time, hm?" She tilted his head back and kissed his forehead, making him sit up. "Damage control-When can I do my next press conference?"
Tucking a hair behind her ear, he sighed, looking at her. He felt frightened for her. It was suddenly hitting home how fragile her life was. Even if not cut short, how long would she have? Not even a century at best! Shaking off his ill feelings, he sighed. "We'll release a statement tonight but proceed on schedule for appearances. No need to appear shaken up."
There was a tapping on the door before a disguised Sesshomaru stepped in, shutting the door behind him. "Stop holding onto her, Kit. If the media sees such actions, they will assume you are lovers." His tone was faintly amused. They had made that assumption about the miko and himself, even calling him a pedophile when a reporter had caught a picture of him carrying her-Which he had simply scoffed at and told them the truth. She had twisted her ankle.
"At least I'm 18 now-They can't accuse him of pedophilia," Kagome joked with a grin.
"Ha ha, very funny," Shippou groused, setting his mother down. However, the gears in his head were turning. It would be a solution to her mortality. He couldn't mate his mother, no. But he glanced towards Sesshomaru in a new way.
Serious once more, Sesshomaru came forward and checked over the miko. As the only female he accepted as pack, she was entitled to his attention. Once satisfied she was recovering at the proper rate, he sat beside her opposite the kit. "Until those who attempted to harm you are apprehended, you will not be without either Tokkei escort or myself."
That offended Shippou greatly. "And you do not trust me to include on that list? You would trust human assassins before me?"
He quirked a brow at the orange haired male. "She was with you when she was shot."
Leaping to her feet as they began to stand, she rested her right hand on Sesshomaru's chest, the left on Shippou's. "Stop it, both of you."
Which was the scene the first brigade of the Tokkei elite walked in on.
Coughing discreetly, the black haired one stepped forward, his face, like all the rest, covered by a mask except for his eyes. "Hello there. I hope we are not interrupting anything?"
Shocking the three assassins, the young female smiled warmly and pushed the two corporate tycoons to sit on opposite sides as if they were nothing. "Simply a friendly disagreement between colleagues."
Looking sourfaced, the younger youkai glared. "Don't really need you here."
Eyes twinkling as if there was a smile beneath his mask, the brunet stepped in. "While I know we are not likely to be on your Christmas card list, we do know a thing or two about protection and investigation, Mikono-sama."
The blond male was stoically silent, his eyes blank beneath his glasses.
Kagome smiled faintly and eyed them all in curiosity. "Please excuse Aiji. He is protective and does not agree with coming to those we are lobbying against for help. He forgets we're lobbying against the ideas, not the individuals."
"Idealistic drivel, and you know it," Sesshomaru cut in. "Ideology affects society. Society affects whether these men continue to work as they do."
"Inuji-san, you act as is there are no other occupations these men are suited to." Kagome stepped in close to Sei, staring into his eyes. "Kind. He is kind and filled with both love and fear. He is suited to any work he chooses and his intelligence shines." Stepping up to Shouta, she performed the same examination. "Humor. He loves to laugh. He's warm and practical. Could he do other things? Yes. But should we stop the Rationalization of Trials, he would stick around as law enforcement."
Usaki was actually quite nervous as she turned to him, averting his gaze.
"And you..." Kagome touched his face, trying to guide his gaze to hers. But he did not budge. "You're afraid for me to see you." She smiled sadly and stepped back.
Shippou stood and tugged Kagome gently back. He did not like the way the blond man's scent had changed when she touched him. "Yes, well, let's get on with this. We need to get her home to rest."
"Agreed." Sesshomaru offered his arm and placed her hand on his bicep.
Shouta quirked an eyebrow.
x~x~x~x
"This hardly seems like a secure facility." Sei looked around the peaceful shrine grounds curiously. It seemed strange to keep a public figure in a place like this. Yes, it was her childhood home, but it had too many entrance an exit points on the grounds.
"I'm surprised she stayed here." Shouta eyed it. He had looked over the crime scene photos and the murders had been brutal. She had just barely made it to call for help, leaving a bloody trail behind her.
Silent as ever, Usaki's head was spinning. How was he supposed to be impartial in this job?