Jaid: This story is a sequel to "A Second Chance", as I'm sure you could tell from the title. You should really read it, it's not long at all. But if you don't want to take the time, this is the gist of it: Inu-Yasha was killed and his reincarnation turns out to be Hojo. Miroku also has a reincarnation: Gabriel "Gabe" Sanchez. Kagome is not allowed to go through the well any longer, since her mission in the feudal era has ended. Now, in the modern world, she and Hojo are just beginning to realize why Kikyo and Inu-Yasha have been reincarnated.
Reviewer response is at the bottom.
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(Kagome's POV)
It's been five years now. Five years since we married. Hojo and I were a little nervous that first year; questions about our reincarnation still bothering us. I thought for sure that something would happen. But nothing did. Life was perfectly normal. We were confused for a little while, but then we just got used to things. Hojo and I had been running the antiques shop pretty successfully and recently, we were both blessed with a little girl, who we named Miaka.
Right now I am going over some bills at the counter. It is almost closing time and as it has been a slow day, I'm ready to end the workday and do something more interesting.
Hojo comes in from the back room. "They call about that shipment yet?" he asked, going to one of our jewelry counters and putting something in.
"No." I answered. Hojo gave a weary grunt in reply.
"Miaka's up." He said, looking at me. "I put her in her playpen. Sari's with her."
I nod. Sari is a twelve-year-old girl who lives nearby our small house and spends a lot of time with us. Her mother has to work, so she is alone a lot of the time. We like to have her around; both for her company and the fact that she is fascinated by our little baby.
The bell above the door chimes and Hojo and I look up. A young woman enters, her waist length dark hair in a tight French Braid. Behind her is a good looking young man. We both grin.
"Hello Gabe!" I call. He smiles and he and the young woman come to my counter. Hojo walks up behind me.
"Hey you two." Gabe motions to the woman. "This is San Atasuki. She's my partner."
Gabe had gone to college and decided to go into law enforcement; specifically narcotics. I looked at San. She had a rather serious expression and seemed a bit stern.
"She needs something for her grandmother." Gabe went on. "Birthday, right?" He looked at the woman.
"Yes." San answered. "She likes antiques. Pottery, wall hangings, little statues."
"Okay." I nod. "I think we have some over here."
I led her next to the jewelry counter where we keep pottery and some stone things. We discussed styles for a few minutes and then I got some pieces out for her to look at. Hojo and Gabe were talking quietly where we had left them.
San picked up a small stone dragon. "This is nice." She said, inspecting it. I opened my mouth to tell her a bit about it when she suddenly spoke.
"I'll take this." She decided, then in a louder voice added, "Sanchez, quit staring at my ass."
Blinking I looked at my husband's friend. He had a rather pained, embarrassed expression. Hojo was chuckling beneath his hand. Shaking my head and suppressing my own laughter, I wrapped the dragon securely and took it to Hojo. After San had paid and they'd left, Hojo turned to me.
"He never learns."
I smiled. "No."
Hojo kissed the top of my head. "I'm going to lock up the back. Why don't you get the girls in the car? We can drop Sari off at home. Her mom is going to be back early today."
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(Gabe's POV)
"That was a nice thing to say." I commented sarcastically, as San and I get into our patrol car and drive away.
"It was true, wasn't it?" she raises her eyebrow.
"I think I liked it better when you were just a kid running around the apartment complex and calling yourself Turtle." I muttered.
"I could kick you in the shins if it makes you feel better." Was her reply. The rest of the trip was silent. I dropped her off at her house and headed to my own apartment. I figured it would be a quiet evening; we'd gotten the night off. Quiet it pretty much was. I decided to turn in about nine.
I'm not sure what made me wake up, but I suddenly was startled out of sleep. Shaking my head, I rolled over and was about to get more comfortable, when something clattered in the kitchen. I frowned and got up, debating whether I needed my gun or not. Probably not, I reasoned. It was most likely the neighbor's cat, who had a bad habit of coming in open doors or windows.
"All right, Jo, you need to go out." I said, turning the kitchen light on. No cat. I frowned at the knife board that had been toppled over, sighed and picked it up. I frowned even harder when I saw one missing. Shrugging, I put the board back on the counter, when in the corner of my eye, something black seemed to whiz past. I whirled around. Nothing there.
I stood there, wondering if I had had something to drink before bed and simply didn't remember. I shrugged this off too and decided to get some sleep. I was just about in the doorway of the kitchen when I noticed a weird black shadow on the floor. What was weird was that it was moving. Towards me.
Well, that kinda freaked me out and I jumped back. All of a sudden, the flat black thing rose up into something that looked like a cross between a lizard and a snake. It had red eyes.
My mouth dry, I backed up. The…whatever the hell it was looked at me and gave a weird, high-pitched giggle that sent shivers up my spine. It moved.
"Stay back." I warned, groping for a knife, pan whatever. Just something to defend myself against it. It only giggled again and melted back into the floor and disappeared. I stood in the kitchen for a moment, then bolted for my room. I pulled on some clothes, grabbed my gun and keys, then ran out. I wasn't staying a minute longer in there.
I sped down the street and swore I heard the damn giggle all the way there. Only it sounded as if there were more of them.
I'm drunk, I must be drunk. I thought. I pulled up to San's house; she was the closest. I was shaking by the time I got out of the car and up to the front door. I ran the doorbell. San opened it and I bolted in then slammed the door behind me.
She stood for a moment, staring at me. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Something's after me." I said.
"Something." She repeated blankly. I looked at her, then realized she must have just gotten back from her Grandmother's party, as evidenced by the nice slacks and soft looking yellow sweater blouse she wore. Her hair was loose too.
"Nothing." I said. I suddenly felt very ridiculous, standing in her house. I must have been dreaming. I shook my head. "It's nothing. I was just…I was being stupid."
She gave me a look then sighed. "You want to stay a minute? To be frank, you looked like you've seen a ghost."
I smiled wanly. "Sure." I said. "But not…" I trailed off as San paled. Then I realized she wasn't looking at me, but behind me. I heard the dreaded giggle again. I spun around, gun in my hand. The shadow creature stood there, scaly hand over its snout and laughing.
"Weak humans scared, yes?" it laughed again and sort of slithered towards us. San was gripping my arm tightly as we both backed up.
"What the hell?" she whispered.
"I dunno, but it was in my apartment." I muttered. "Head for the back door."
"And what?" she demanded.
"Run like hell?" I suggested weakly. "I don't think we can hurt it."
All of a sudden, there were more. They came from cracks under the door, in the sides of windows, even cracks in the walls. San gave a curious sort of gulp.
"We're surrounded." She whispered.
"I noticed." We were back to back. I still had my gun and San had grabbed a heavy table lamp, but I didn't think we were going to be able to ward off whatever these things were.
The one that had spoke rose up bigger than the rest and hissed at me. It's eyes shown redder and opening its mouth, it dived towards me.
"No!" I shouted bringing my hands up to shield my face. There was a squawk and then a clang and what sounded like sparks. I lowered my hands and saw the shadow thing on the ground wriggling. A sharp pain thundered through my head and I winced.
"How'd you do that?" San asked.
"I dunno." I said.
"Can you do it again?" she asked fearfully. "Cause I think they're all going to attack this time."
"I don't know." I said. "Maybe."
"Maybe!?"
"That's the best I can do!" I said. I wasn't sure what to do. I closed my eyes and brought up my hands again, trying to imagine a barrier between the shadow monsters and us.
"Oh my god." I heard San whisper.
"What?" I muttered.
"I think you're doing something right."
"Nice." I said stiffly, trying to concentrate. The shadow monsters rushed at us but I heard them being deflected. It hurt them, I could tell from the screeching. But it hurt me too. It felt almost like being stabbed.
We stayed that way all night. There was a close call when I almost fell asleep and one almost got through. I don't think I've ever been so tired or sore.
The sun finally rose and the sun sent beams through the window. The monster faded away into black mist. I relaxed.
"You okay?" San asked tiredly. I looked at her.
"Yeah, fine."
We both stood.
"What was that?"
"I don't know. But whatever it was…" I trailed off. I had told San I was fine, but my head was pounding and my whole body was throbbing in protest. I felt my eyes shut against my will and everything went black.
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(Hojo's POV)
I woke up the next morning. My mouth was dry and I realized it had been another dream. I had never been rid of them. They didn't happen as frequently as they used too, but occasionally I would have an exceptionally bad one.
I stood in the bathroom, running the cold water over my hands and splashing it on my face. I heard Miaka crying, then Kagome getting out of bed and leaving the room.
The phone rang.
"I got it!" I called, shutting the water off. Picking up the receiver, I said "Hello?"
"Is this Hojo?" a feminine voice asked.
"Yeah."
"This is San Atasuki. We met yesterday at your shop." Her voice was clear and precise.
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry for waking you up so early but…" she trailed off and for the first time I could hear a quaver in her voice. "Would you and Mrs. Hojo mind coming down here?"
"Where?"
"The hospital. I just brought Gabe in."
A cold hand clutched my heart. I knew Gabe's work was dangerous, but still, he had never been hurt. "Yeah, we'll be down there. Which hospital?"
She gave me directions and I wrote them down.
"Who was that?" Kagome asked as I entered the nursery.
"San. Gabe's partner." I swallowed. "He's in the hospital."
Kagome shot me a sympathetic, concerned glance. "Let's get dressed and go." She said quietly.
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(San's POV)
"Do you think you can over that again, Ms. Atasuki?" the doctor asked. I ground my teeth. We'd been over this several times already.
"Look, I don't know what it happened. Can't you figure it out?" I finally said helplessly. The doctor sighed and nodded, then stood. I did as well.
"Can you tell me at least what condition he's in?" I asked quietly.
"As far as we can tell, his muscles are violently twitching, which to be blunt is wreaking havoc with his nervous system. He is also suffering from extreme exhaustion." The doctor looked at me. "The level to wear he is so worn out, it could very well kill him."
I bit my lip and looked at the ground. The doctor was quiet for a moment, then spoke.
"You can see him now, if you want."
I waited till he had left the lounge, then got up and walked down the hall to Gabe's room. My nerves were shot through.
I am a police officer and Gabe and I work a hard section of town. I've been in shoot-outs; I've seen people get killed. I've seen parents who beat their kids and husbands who beat their wives and lots of other things that aren't real pretty.
But what had happened last night was freaky. It was something I've never experienced. And I was worried about Gabe. In spite of his faults, he's a likable guy and he's my partner.
I entered the room. Gabe's eyes were still closed and his face was taut and strained. He looked worn and old. I swallowed and sat down.
Just then two more people entered the room; Mr. and Mrs. Hojo. They both looked worried.
"What happened?" Hojo asked. "I thought you were off last night?"
I stood. "It's kinda hard to explain-"
"He wasn't shot." Mrs. Hojo said softly, then looked at me. "Was he?"
"No." I answered slowly. Something in her tone caught me off guard. Almost as if she suspected what had happened. The other woman nodded and lowered her head to her baby's.
"No, he wasn't shot." I continued.
"I'm just real tired." A weak, hoarse voice caused us all to turn. Gabe's blue eyes were blinking open. "And I hurt. A lot." His breathing sounded slightly labored, but if what the doctor said was true, his spasming back must be making it hard to breathe.
Hojo walked over to his side. "You look like shit." He said bluntly. "I thought you had been shot."
"I wish I had." Gabe tried to smile, but he sounded more pained and tired than I could ever remember.
"I'll go get the doctor." I stated, then left the room.
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(Kagome's POV)
The doctor came in and chased us out. We sat in the lounge. San looked terribly exhausted and most likely against her will, kept dozing off. Hojo finally got up the courage to ask her what had happened. She gave us a bleary eyed glance, then told us what had gone on last night. When she had finished, Hojo and I were quiet. We knew what the other was thinking.
Presently, the doctor told us that Gabe should be fine, they would notify his family and the best thing we could do was go home. We dropped San off and then went to the shop. Sari was waiting outside for us and promptly took charge of Miaka. Hojo and I worked in silence for a few moments, then Hojo slammed his fist into the wall and swore.
I came up behind him and put my hands on his shoulders as he leaned his head against the wall.
"Damn." He whispered. "Why now?"
I knew what he meant. Miaka was only four months old. We couldn't afford to be in danger.
"I don't know." I answered quietly. "I don't know."
Hojo turned to me and put his arms around my body. I leaned into him as he buried his face in my hair.
"What are we going to do?" he asked. "What can we do?"
"I wish I knew how to answer that question." I said. "But I don't." I looked into his clear blue eyes. "Inu-Yasha, something is out there though. They tried to kill San and Gabe."
He nodded. I had gotten used to calling him "Inu-Yasha" now and he had gotten used to being called by it. I only called him Hojo in front of Gabe.
"Why them?" He murmured.
"Maybe because whoever it was figured that they were easy prey." I murmured back.
"Naraku?" he asked, and I felt him shudder slightly. His dreams and mine, had always been more intense when the youkai had appeared in them.
"I guess. Maybe not." I sounded distant. I was trying to figure things out. I remembered what San had told me about Gabe making a barrier. It made sense for him to collapse; if he had powers, but didn't know how to use them, then he could have very well drained himself in ignorance.
Hojo's arms tightened around me. "What if we're next? What if…" he stopped then started again. "What if they attack San while she's alone? Or Gabe while's he vulnerable? What if they attack Miaka or Sari?"
"I guess we do what we can." I answered. I bit my lip. It wasn't really an answer. Part of me wanted rail and shout. Why now? Why when Hojo and I were so happy?
"Maybe we should close the shop today." He murmured.
"No." I pulled away. "We'll be okay. We'll figure this out." My gaze went to the sword that hung above the stores front window. Hojo followed my gaze.
"You know how to use it." I murmured. "Maybe even now, it would obey your command."
"Only one way to find out." Hojo grabbed a step stool that we kept in the corner and took the old scabbard down. He stood in the middle of the room, took a deep breath and unsheathed the Tetsusiega. At first the sword was just an old, rusted piece of metal. Then there was a flash. Hojo nearly dropped the sword in surprise as it became huge.
"It worked." He said. I laughed.
"Of course it did." I said merrily, even though I too hadn't been sure. Hojo re-sheathed it and set it near his place by the register.
"It comes with us everywhere now." He said, rather grimly.
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(Gabe's POV)
God, I'm tired. They gave me some sort of painkiller, so I don't hurt anymore. But I can hardly move. I hate feeling weak. I wonder what happened, how I was able to create that barrier. It didn't make sense. I closed my eyes and groaned. Maybe I'm cursed.
The nurse came in. She was rather pretty, but I'm too tired to care. She rattles off some cheerful comments and then leaves. I wonder how San is doing. The door opens again. This time, it is a dark haired young woman wearing a business suit and sunglasses. I raise an eyebrow…or at least attempt too.
"Mr. Sanchez?" she asks. I nod wearily, a creepy feeling going up my spine. She walks over and drops and envelope on my chest.
"Consider it a warning." She says, then leaves, high heels clacking. I frowned and fumbled as I try to pick it up and open it. I drop the paper inside twice trying to read it. When I got it still, the print made my eyes go bleary. Groaning in frustration, I closed my eyes, and pressed the red button. A few minutes later, the nurse came in.
"Yes?"
"Can you read me what this says?" I ask. She takes the paper, frowning.
"It says, 'To Officer Sanchez. By the time you reach the end of this letter, you will know who I am. This is your first warning-oh my!" she looks up pale. I close my eyes.
"Please read the rest."
She gulps and reads the rest out loud. " 'This is your first warning. Don't take it lightly. Drop it now and you and your partner will be spared. Continue and your family is dead. If you distrust me on this, a token is included with the note. Do us both a favor and get off my back.'" She looked up. "Its signed 'Onigumo'." She whispered.
I close my eyes and sighed. Onigumo is the code name of a drug lord/crime boss San and I have been tracking for over three months. We were working on the case separately, but recently we were partnered with each other. I looked in the envelope and a tiny plastic bag fell out. It contained a ring. My heart stopped. It was my mother's engagement ring.
"Are you okay?" the nurse asked timidly.
"I need to make a phone call." I said, my throat dry. "Please. I need to call my Father."
"Okay." The nurse hands me the phone. I numbly dial my Father's café. Maria answers.
"Hello."
"Maria?"
"Gabe!"
I smile at the sound of her voice. "Is Mom there?"
There is a silence. My heart stops again. "Maria?"
"Mom went to go see Grandfather again." She said softly. "But that was a week ago. We haven't heard from her, but you know how she is. Sometimes she forgets to call."
I swallow. "Yeah, I know." Another pause.
"Gabe, is everything okay? You sound…" she trails off, as if she's afraid of the answer.
"I'm in the hospital-" I start and she interrupts with a small cry.
"Hey, don't sweat it. I'm perfectly fine." I lied. " No gun wounds."
"Okay." She says timidly. "I'll tell dad you called."
"You do that." I say. "I've got to go now."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye, and Maria?'
"Yeah?"
I take a breath. "Don't go anywhere alone, especially at night, okay?"
"Why?" she asks suspiciously.
"Just promise me you won't."
"I promise." She says numbly. We say good bye and she hangs up. I hand the nurse the phone and collapse against the pillows, suddenly so tired I can't even hold my eyelids open. As darkness comes, I smile wryly. This is happening far too often…
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Jaid: Okay, I hope you all enjoyed it! Please leave a review and tell what you think!
Lilly-monster – Wow, thanks! You have no idea how much that relieves me. I wanted so hard for it to seem real. Well, you wanted a sequel and here it is! ^__^
AutumnFire – O.O Omg, you're right! That's too weird…almost scary. I have only read the beginning so far, haven't had time to read the rest, but I hope my story so far isn't too much like hers. I wouldn't anybody to think I was stealing…
Ley – Thank you!!! You really are a reviewer that keeps me going, ya know that? ^__^