Sorry everyone, I know you were expecting to see a new chapter, but I
finally got out of my writers block. When I read my first chapter of A
thief's handbook from before, I almost puked. What a horrible story so far.
Anyways, I had a dream, and it seems like a much better plot. I believe I'm
going to start another new story as well. I'll give you all heads up I
start it. Not sure what the title will be yet. Took me a long time to find
a plot for this one. Lol. Anyways, I have to start writing, I have stuff to
do this morning. Anyhow, on with the story.
A Thief's Handbook
By: Jessica
Chapter 1: Anticipation
Kagome's pencil had been taping furiously through the whole third period of class. Of course, she didn't mean to make any noise, or draw any attention to herself, but out of habit, she had to do something with her shaking fingers.
If it wasn't for the teacher that was sleeping at the front desk, or the other students huddled around one computer watching a new video game on the other side of the room, she might have never been able to do this.
There were only 7 minutes left before the deal was closed. But, anything could go wrong, and she would lose a 6 million dollars. Of course, it might have been pocket change for her family, but nonetheless, it was 6 million dollars.
"Six minutes, come one baby, you can do it." Kagome was still taping her pencil, when she felt someone closing in behind her. She pulled up a small screen with some writing on it. It had said 'Science Atomy' on it.
"Hey Kagome, what's up? What are you doing?" Kagome's suspicions had been correct; Hojo was walking up from behind her. "Your doing homework? You are so dedicated to your studies Kagome, you should take a break from it once in awhile."
"Thanks Hojo, but I need this essay done. I, uh, I have it due next period. So, I really can't be doing anything else."
"Oh, then I'll leave you alone in that case." Hojo said with a look of despair. She waved happily at him as he walked away.
She quickly clicked back to the other page. Four minutes. Usually, investing and buying off the Internet wasn't all that nerve racking for Kagome, even if it was illegal. But, when you put 6 million dollars into buying off the black market that could go to bombshells any minute after you purchased, you would have every right to be nervous. Two minutes. A sweat drop rolled down her coffee colored skin. Any minute, and the transaction would be made. Then, she would be able to add another addition to her family's collection. The stupid theory was driving her crazy. One minute.
It was only two years ago that her family received a letter from grandpa, who was still missing in the Alps, that had said that there were 12 pieces of a collection being sold on the black market for ages. They kept being shifted around to different people, and over the years, got lost, or handed down to the heirs of the families. They were beautiful pieces from the Pharaohs tombs, and Caesar's personal collection. Word had it that they had gotten together to make these certain pieces showing their bond. When Pharaoh broke the bond, the pieces were deemed cursed and were hidden, till six years ago. That was the only history anyone knew.
What everyone didn't know was what the 12 pieces did when there were put together. That was a secret Kagome would take to her grave, or if she told, would be sent to her grave by her own family. She knew her parents loved her, but business was business. It wasn't too long ago that Uncle Kio shot Aunt Yuri when she tried to tell authorities about his bank job last year. That secret went down with her to her grave. She knew that if any word got out, she'd be in trouble. But that's not what worried her. It was getting this next piece before the Inu family did.
The infamous Inu family had been masterminds of the criminal world for centuries, just like the Hagurashi family. Both families competed for the top in the black market. Both were astoundingly rich, and both owned 3-4 pieces of the collection. As far as Kagome knew, the Inu family had no clue what the deal was with these pieces, but since the Hagurashi family was out for it, so were they. Both families slit each other's throats if they crossed paths. Of course, Kagome could never stomached killing anyone, and she wasn't sure she had a gut for it in the future. She just prayed all the time that it would never happen. So far, it had worked. She was 17, and still never pulled the trigger.
30 seconds. Just a little while longer. 29, 28, 27. The lights in the room flickered. Kagome gulped. There would be hell to rise if the power went out. 15 seconds. Kagome looked intently at the lights. 5 seconds. Maybe praying would help her again. She closed her eyes, but that scared her even more, because inside her eyes it was dark there too. She opened them again, and everything was dark. She blinked furiously, had she gone blind? The lights flickered again. No, she hadn't gone blind, but the power did go out. Damn her intuition. Her gut had always been right. She got up fuming, kicking the computer. "Dang I was so close!" The computer's screen buzzed, and the screen kicked on. There was 1 in a million chance that kicking a computer would actually fix anything, but here it was, that one time. Miraculously, the computer hadn't gone out, because on the screen, the box came up saying, "Transaction Made."
"Yes! Oh yes yes yes! Oh thank God." Kagome couldn't suppress her high spirits. She had gotten the fifth piece for her family. She couldn't wait to get home. Suddenly, the word home made her stomach jolt. Something was wrong. She knew her intuition couldn't be right twice in one day. It never had been. So she wasn't worried.
"Oh, Kagome, you didn't lose your essay?" Kagome's dancing body froze. She swirled around to face the teacher.
The teacher took one glance at her computer, and frowned. "Transaction, Miss Kagome? What would we be doing making transactions on the Internet?" A sweat drop formed at the top of her head.
"Transaction? Mrs. Riana, what are you talking about?"
The teacher didn't seem convinced.
"Well, actually Mrs. Riana, I was doing my essay, but something was wrong with the computer. I kept getting Spam and things from e-bay. Maybe the power outage had something to do with it. Besides, I don't even have a credit card."
"I see, well, I'm glad you didn't lose your essay." Kagome nodded hastily before turning to her computer with a 'that was close' look spreading across it.
Her coppery colored eyes looked back at the screen as she sighed deeply. It was just like her stupid teacher to ruin one of the biggest parts of her career. But, no matter, no one had to know about that little confrontation. She knew if she told her family, Mrs. Riana would be somewhere in Africa with amnesia and no money. Most of her family hated killing people, so when her second cousin came up with a chemical to create amnesia, her family bought it hastily, and just gave it to anyone who thought they were doing anything suspicious. She quickly Xed out everything before standing up to grab her backpack, and leave. She turned to look out the window, which, till this day, still wonders if it was a good or bad thing. A flash of white glistened in the sun, before disappearing again.
There it was again, that same jolt in her stomach.
She almost stuck school out that day, but her stomach didn't serve her right after lunch. Every time she closed her eyes, that white flash kept zooming through replay in her head. She signed out of school before running up to her car. Her purse vibrated, and for a moment she almost thought of throwing it before she remembered that she put her cell phone on vibrate. She giggled, pulling it out. She glanced at the caller before pressing the green phone button.
"Yeah? What's up?" Kagome said cheerfully on the phone. The call was from home.
There was no answer.
"Hello? Dad, mom, Souta, (and for a brief moment of hope) grandpa?"
Still. No answer.
Kagome's eyes flickered. She jammed her code into the car to unlock. She rapidly started the ignition, and trying to keep whomever it was on the line, pressing the phone tightly to her ear, screaming hello.
"Shoot, stupid prank. It was probably Souta trying to get back at me for stealing his eggo this morning," she supposed, throwing the phone into the passenger's seat. She clicked her tongue to a tune from the radio. She was rounding her street when she caught a faint smell of smoke in the air. Her eyes shot into the air, and she saw smoke rising, before briefly cursing, and doing a quick turn with the car. She would be home in two seconds. 'Please, just be Souta frying his brains on the grill,' she prayed softly.
When she finally pulled into the driveway she ran up to the house, checking for any heat on the doorknob. "Oh God! It's hot!" She shoved her key into the door, before pulling the door wide open. There was no way she could call the cops right now. There were too many illegal things they would find when the house went to the ground.
The first thought was the kitchen. Mom probably was doing stir-fry. She was smart enough to get out though, if there was a fire. Kagome's lungs started to ache as she coughed for air. She went to a cabinet where there were some "just-in-case" things lying around. Before now, a gas mask seemed too stupid to put in there, but now? Thank God someone was smart enough to think of it. She pulled it on, and suddenly she could breath much easier.
She rounded the corner to the kitchen. Her stomach did flip-flops. She couldn't believe the site before her. Her mother lied sprawled on the floor. With a puddle of blood surrounding her body. There was a small whole in her back. Kagome would have cried if she had time. She dragged her mother out of the house, before running back in. 'Of all the days for dad to take the day off!' She ran to her father's office, where she knew he'd be. He was on the floor, but sitting on his knees, crouching before his safe, trying to open it. There was an arrow that had pierced his back. She saw that the window was open. Could he have been more foolish?
"DAD! What the hell do you think your doing still in here? The place is burning down!"
Her father turned, quite shaking up. He beckoned her forward, she ran up to him, trying to help him. He kept stuttering words she couldn't comprehend. The fire hadn't reached this room yet, so she pulled off the mask.
"Dad, what did you say?"
"K, Kagome? Is that you?"
Kagome's eyes started to tear. He didn't recognize her?
"Yeah dad it's me. Come on, we have got to get out of here."
"Kagome, listen," he pulled her shirt down, and she followed, and now, she too was crouching. "Kagome, take the artifacts, and run. Don't stop." He glanced nervously around the room, and outside the window. "They are here. They know! Come back for the artifacts later, after the house is burnt to the ground. Kagome, please finish my work. Collect them all."
The fire started to eat up the door.
"Kagome are you listening to me? Kagome, don't leave me Kagome! I love you so much. They took Souta. They'll kill him!"
If he hadn't mentioned Souta, Kagome wouldn't have taken any notice of what her father was saying, because the fire started to spread through the room. Her father noticed it too. He turned again to his safe. She gawked at him. What was so important that he had to get it out of the safe and risk his life?
She waited there, helplessly. She grabbed a cup that had been lying there on the desk. She almost thought about drinking the water remaining in there, but something told her not too. She heard a faint click before her father pulled out a couple of things out of the open safe.
"Here, my gifts to you. My life's treasures. If I survive this arrow shot, then give them back after I'm out of the hospital. My dear beloved Kagome." A small smile creaked up his lips. He rarely ever smiled, but she took it in as he did so. He snapped out of his trance and shoved a small gold book into her hands. She shoved it into her pocket while he gave her a long note, which she always put in her pocket. Then he gave her the biggest wad of cash she'd seen in her life, as well as a few Egyptian gold coins were added to her little collection. Then, he gave her the smallest glass box she'd every seen. It was painted black. She shoved it her back pocket.
"Dad, don't be foolish. We can still put out this fire." Her father gave her a disbelieving look, before pulling out a gun. She stared for a moment. Was he going to kill her, his only daughter?
Mr. Hagurashi's eyes glazed. "Mr. Inu, I presume? How dare to insult me by coming to my house! Leave, or I will murder you here on the spot."
"Dad! It's me, Kagome! It's me! What do you think your doing dad?"
Her father gave her one of the most sinister smiles she had ever seen.
He cocked the gun, and aimed at Kagome.
Well, that's a rap. Hope you liked it. Much better then the first time. Please R&R. I want to hear what you all think.
A Thief's Handbook
By: Jessica
Chapter 1: Anticipation
Kagome's pencil had been taping furiously through the whole third period of class. Of course, she didn't mean to make any noise, or draw any attention to herself, but out of habit, she had to do something with her shaking fingers.
If it wasn't for the teacher that was sleeping at the front desk, or the other students huddled around one computer watching a new video game on the other side of the room, she might have never been able to do this.
There were only 7 minutes left before the deal was closed. But, anything could go wrong, and she would lose a 6 million dollars. Of course, it might have been pocket change for her family, but nonetheless, it was 6 million dollars.
"Six minutes, come one baby, you can do it." Kagome was still taping her pencil, when she felt someone closing in behind her. She pulled up a small screen with some writing on it. It had said 'Science Atomy' on it.
"Hey Kagome, what's up? What are you doing?" Kagome's suspicions had been correct; Hojo was walking up from behind her. "Your doing homework? You are so dedicated to your studies Kagome, you should take a break from it once in awhile."
"Thanks Hojo, but I need this essay done. I, uh, I have it due next period. So, I really can't be doing anything else."
"Oh, then I'll leave you alone in that case." Hojo said with a look of despair. She waved happily at him as he walked away.
She quickly clicked back to the other page. Four minutes. Usually, investing and buying off the Internet wasn't all that nerve racking for Kagome, even if it was illegal. But, when you put 6 million dollars into buying off the black market that could go to bombshells any minute after you purchased, you would have every right to be nervous. Two minutes. A sweat drop rolled down her coffee colored skin. Any minute, and the transaction would be made. Then, she would be able to add another addition to her family's collection. The stupid theory was driving her crazy. One minute.
It was only two years ago that her family received a letter from grandpa, who was still missing in the Alps, that had said that there were 12 pieces of a collection being sold on the black market for ages. They kept being shifted around to different people, and over the years, got lost, or handed down to the heirs of the families. They were beautiful pieces from the Pharaohs tombs, and Caesar's personal collection. Word had it that they had gotten together to make these certain pieces showing their bond. When Pharaoh broke the bond, the pieces were deemed cursed and were hidden, till six years ago. That was the only history anyone knew.
What everyone didn't know was what the 12 pieces did when there were put together. That was a secret Kagome would take to her grave, or if she told, would be sent to her grave by her own family. She knew her parents loved her, but business was business. It wasn't too long ago that Uncle Kio shot Aunt Yuri when she tried to tell authorities about his bank job last year. That secret went down with her to her grave. She knew that if any word got out, she'd be in trouble. But that's not what worried her. It was getting this next piece before the Inu family did.
The infamous Inu family had been masterminds of the criminal world for centuries, just like the Hagurashi family. Both families competed for the top in the black market. Both were astoundingly rich, and both owned 3-4 pieces of the collection. As far as Kagome knew, the Inu family had no clue what the deal was with these pieces, but since the Hagurashi family was out for it, so were they. Both families slit each other's throats if they crossed paths. Of course, Kagome could never stomached killing anyone, and she wasn't sure she had a gut for it in the future. She just prayed all the time that it would never happen. So far, it had worked. She was 17, and still never pulled the trigger.
30 seconds. Just a little while longer. 29, 28, 27. The lights in the room flickered. Kagome gulped. There would be hell to rise if the power went out. 15 seconds. Kagome looked intently at the lights. 5 seconds. Maybe praying would help her again. She closed her eyes, but that scared her even more, because inside her eyes it was dark there too. She opened them again, and everything was dark. She blinked furiously, had she gone blind? The lights flickered again. No, she hadn't gone blind, but the power did go out. Damn her intuition. Her gut had always been right. She got up fuming, kicking the computer. "Dang I was so close!" The computer's screen buzzed, and the screen kicked on. There was 1 in a million chance that kicking a computer would actually fix anything, but here it was, that one time. Miraculously, the computer hadn't gone out, because on the screen, the box came up saying, "Transaction Made."
"Yes! Oh yes yes yes! Oh thank God." Kagome couldn't suppress her high spirits. She had gotten the fifth piece for her family. She couldn't wait to get home. Suddenly, the word home made her stomach jolt. Something was wrong. She knew her intuition couldn't be right twice in one day. It never had been. So she wasn't worried.
"Oh, Kagome, you didn't lose your essay?" Kagome's dancing body froze. She swirled around to face the teacher.
The teacher took one glance at her computer, and frowned. "Transaction, Miss Kagome? What would we be doing making transactions on the Internet?" A sweat drop formed at the top of her head.
"Transaction? Mrs. Riana, what are you talking about?"
The teacher didn't seem convinced.
"Well, actually Mrs. Riana, I was doing my essay, but something was wrong with the computer. I kept getting Spam and things from e-bay. Maybe the power outage had something to do with it. Besides, I don't even have a credit card."
"I see, well, I'm glad you didn't lose your essay." Kagome nodded hastily before turning to her computer with a 'that was close' look spreading across it.
Her coppery colored eyes looked back at the screen as she sighed deeply. It was just like her stupid teacher to ruin one of the biggest parts of her career. But, no matter, no one had to know about that little confrontation. She knew if she told her family, Mrs. Riana would be somewhere in Africa with amnesia and no money. Most of her family hated killing people, so when her second cousin came up with a chemical to create amnesia, her family bought it hastily, and just gave it to anyone who thought they were doing anything suspicious. She quickly Xed out everything before standing up to grab her backpack, and leave. She turned to look out the window, which, till this day, still wonders if it was a good or bad thing. A flash of white glistened in the sun, before disappearing again.
There it was again, that same jolt in her stomach.
She almost stuck school out that day, but her stomach didn't serve her right after lunch. Every time she closed her eyes, that white flash kept zooming through replay in her head. She signed out of school before running up to her car. Her purse vibrated, and for a moment she almost thought of throwing it before she remembered that she put her cell phone on vibrate. She giggled, pulling it out. She glanced at the caller before pressing the green phone button.
"Yeah? What's up?" Kagome said cheerfully on the phone. The call was from home.
There was no answer.
"Hello? Dad, mom, Souta, (and for a brief moment of hope) grandpa?"
Still. No answer.
Kagome's eyes flickered. She jammed her code into the car to unlock. She rapidly started the ignition, and trying to keep whomever it was on the line, pressing the phone tightly to her ear, screaming hello.
"Shoot, stupid prank. It was probably Souta trying to get back at me for stealing his eggo this morning," she supposed, throwing the phone into the passenger's seat. She clicked her tongue to a tune from the radio. She was rounding her street when she caught a faint smell of smoke in the air. Her eyes shot into the air, and she saw smoke rising, before briefly cursing, and doing a quick turn with the car. She would be home in two seconds. 'Please, just be Souta frying his brains on the grill,' she prayed softly.
When she finally pulled into the driveway she ran up to the house, checking for any heat on the doorknob. "Oh God! It's hot!" She shoved her key into the door, before pulling the door wide open. There was no way she could call the cops right now. There were too many illegal things they would find when the house went to the ground.
The first thought was the kitchen. Mom probably was doing stir-fry. She was smart enough to get out though, if there was a fire. Kagome's lungs started to ache as she coughed for air. She went to a cabinet where there were some "just-in-case" things lying around. Before now, a gas mask seemed too stupid to put in there, but now? Thank God someone was smart enough to think of it. She pulled it on, and suddenly she could breath much easier.
She rounded the corner to the kitchen. Her stomach did flip-flops. She couldn't believe the site before her. Her mother lied sprawled on the floor. With a puddle of blood surrounding her body. There was a small whole in her back. Kagome would have cried if she had time. She dragged her mother out of the house, before running back in. 'Of all the days for dad to take the day off!' She ran to her father's office, where she knew he'd be. He was on the floor, but sitting on his knees, crouching before his safe, trying to open it. There was an arrow that had pierced his back. She saw that the window was open. Could he have been more foolish?
"DAD! What the hell do you think your doing still in here? The place is burning down!"
Her father turned, quite shaking up. He beckoned her forward, she ran up to him, trying to help him. He kept stuttering words she couldn't comprehend. The fire hadn't reached this room yet, so she pulled off the mask.
"Dad, what did you say?"
"K, Kagome? Is that you?"
Kagome's eyes started to tear. He didn't recognize her?
"Yeah dad it's me. Come on, we have got to get out of here."
"Kagome, listen," he pulled her shirt down, and she followed, and now, she too was crouching. "Kagome, take the artifacts, and run. Don't stop." He glanced nervously around the room, and outside the window. "They are here. They know! Come back for the artifacts later, after the house is burnt to the ground. Kagome, please finish my work. Collect them all."
The fire started to eat up the door.
"Kagome are you listening to me? Kagome, don't leave me Kagome! I love you so much. They took Souta. They'll kill him!"
If he hadn't mentioned Souta, Kagome wouldn't have taken any notice of what her father was saying, because the fire started to spread through the room. Her father noticed it too. He turned again to his safe. She gawked at him. What was so important that he had to get it out of the safe and risk his life?
She waited there, helplessly. She grabbed a cup that had been lying there on the desk. She almost thought about drinking the water remaining in there, but something told her not too. She heard a faint click before her father pulled out a couple of things out of the open safe.
"Here, my gifts to you. My life's treasures. If I survive this arrow shot, then give them back after I'm out of the hospital. My dear beloved Kagome." A small smile creaked up his lips. He rarely ever smiled, but she took it in as he did so. He snapped out of his trance and shoved a small gold book into her hands. She shoved it into her pocket while he gave her a long note, which she always put in her pocket. Then he gave her the biggest wad of cash she'd seen in her life, as well as a few Egyptian gold coins were added to her little collection. Then, he gave her the smallest glass box she'd every seen. It was painted black. She shoved it her back pocket.
"Dad, don't be foolish. We can still put out this fire." Her father gave her a disbelieving look, before pulling out a gun. She stared for a moment. Was he going to kill her, his only daughter?
Mr. Hagurashi's eyes glazed. "Mr. Inu, I presume? How dare to insult me by coming to my house! Leave, or I will murder you here on the spot."
"Dad! It's me, Kagome! It's me! What do you think your doing dad?"
Her father gave her one of the most sinister smiles she had ever seen.
He cocked the gun, and aimed at Kagome.
Well, that's a rap. Hope you liked it. Much better then the first time. Please R&R. I want to hear what you all think.