Disclaimer: I don't Inuyasha.

Inuyasha Taishou led a life with little routine. He couldn't help it. It wasn't in his nature to be predictable. He reasoned that life wasn't certain, so why should he be?

That's not to say he wasn't reliable or responsible.

He was a decorated veteran, highly involved in Black Ops during the Cold War and Desert Storm. He held the record for the most completed missions with two purple hearts and one bronze star to prove it. When he grew bored with the military, he switched to the FBI and was currently the top in his division.

The key to his success was the element of surprise. So, why change a good thing?

Despite his spite for normality, it never ceased to irk him when things didn't go as planned. Therefore, he wasn't completely unpredictable. In fact, it was the one thing his brother could rely on.

Which was why Director Sesshoumaru Taishou had chosen not to call him in when they found Kikyo Higurashi's body.

"Damn it, Sesshoumaru! How could you not call me about this?" Inuyasha yelled, slamming his fist down on the smooth cherry wood desk. The name plate that rested on the surface rattled in protest to his outburst. "It's my case!"

Sesshoumaru, unfazed, leaned back in his chair. His hands folded neatly across his lap. "You're being taken off the case, Inuyasha. Your judgment has become compromised indefinitely."

His words were cold, but they had been spoken as if he were commenting on the weather. Stoic as ever. He never changed. If Inuyasha was the spawn of spontaneity, then Sesshoumaru was consistency's twin.

Inuyasha clenched his fist, his claws digging into the calloused flesh on his palm. He welcomed the pain though. It made him aware of his body and to the reality of the situation.

He had expected that he would be taken off the case, but not this soon. Not when he and Kikyo had been making so much progress. Sure, he had gone completely against policy when it came to Kikyo, but she wasn't like other humans. Somehow, during the course of things, she had become more than just a business arrangement. She was his friend.

"Is she really dead?" He already knew the answer, but he had to hear it again to believe it.

"Yes. We're waiting on an autopsy report. It was definitely youkai related though." Sesshoumaru replied, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. He felt a migraine coming on. All the shouting his brother had been doing was really doing a number on his patience.

Inuyasha's shoulders slumped and his body felt the weight of grief. She had been so young for a human. So full of life. It wasn't fair! He'd make sure her death wasn't in vein.

"What kind of youkai? Did they find a corpse?" Maybe it was one of Naraku's guys? Had they discovered what Kikyo had been doing? Did she die because he wasn't careful enough?

His heart sank. If this was his fault...

"All we found was ash."

Inuyasha blinked. Ash? Was the youkai incinerated by something? But only something pure could cause that to happen. This just wasn't adding up. A factor was missing.

"Have the ashes been confirmed as youkai remains?" he asked, leaning against the wall of Sesshoumaru's office.

"You've been removed from the case, Inuyasha. I can't give you anymore information. Kouga has been assigned to it."

A low growl escaped Inuyasha's throat, his golden eyes narrowing. "The hell he has! You gave puny wolf this case? What the hell Sesshou-?"

In the blink of an eye, Inuyasha was pinned to the wall behind him. Sesshoumaru's powerful hand closed around his neck as he pushed his brother up the wall to dangle for his life.

"You will watch your tongue, halfbreed." The last word Sesshoumaru spoke with venom and Inuyasha winced. "This Sesshoumaru did what he felt was needed."

There was a pause as the two brothers stared at each other. It was quickly broken by the intercom on Sesshoumaru's desk.

"Director? It's Kagura on line one." It was Ayama, Sesshoumaru's secretary. "Should I ask her to call back?"

Slowly, Sesshoumaru released Inuyasha and the two broke apart.

"No, Ayame, I'll take the call." He resumed his position behind his desk once more, picking up a pen to jot down notes. Without so much as a glance upward, he gave Inuyasha his next orders."Get out of my office. Now."

Inuyasha gave him a one fingered salute before turning on his heel. He slammed the door behind him, startling the young secretary at the front desk. She scrambled after the numerous items that had fallen off her desk muttering to herself about how inconsiderate people could be. Ignoring her, he headed for the elevator.

"Bastard never changes," he muttered to himself.

Well, if Sesshoumaru wasn't going to help him, he knew someone that would. It might be tricky getting them to cooperate, but if he played his cards right, and brouht the right kind of leverage he may be able to strike a deal. A wolfish grin spread across his face before he stepped into the elevator.

"Where you headed?" asked the man already inside.

"Basement." Inuyasha stated, while the stranger reached for the correct button. He leaned his head back against the cool metal wall, allowing himself a moment to plan his next move. He would need to visit the morgue first. He could get a few of his questions answered there. The key was avoiding Kouga. The wolf probably already had Miroku working on a cause of death for both Kikyo and the youkai.

The chime sounded and Inuyasha stepped off the elevator immediately shuddering. It always creeped him out being down here. As if dead bodies weren't scary enough, he also had to deal with Miroku's weird ass. He was one of the few humans Inuyasha could tolerate. Not that Inuyasha was a social butterfly.

He approached the security door, giving a small wave at the man behind it. With a wide grin, the forensic doctor walked over to let him in.

"I was wondering when you'd show up," he commented, pulling off his gloves and tossing them into the trash. "I guess Sesshoumaru finally broke the news to you."

Inuyasha glared. So, was he the only one who didn't know about this?

"Yeah, he did. Thanks, Miroku, for giving me a heads up."

"Whoa, take it easy. I just found out thirty minutes ago." Miroku stated defensively.

"You did? Oh. Right. Kouga was here." He sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. Of course Kouga would go bragging about how he had gotten reassigned to one of the top cases. Damn wolf, always showing off.

"So, what's the prognosis?"

Miroku hesitated. This wasn't his case anymore. He really had no right to know.

"If Sesshoumaru finds out I gave you information-"

"You leave him to me. Sesshoumaru isn't going to find out."

Even so, Miroku knew this was a sensitive subject with his friend. Inuyasha trusted few and Kikyo had changed something in him. He wasn't the same person anymore since she stepped into the picture. He was more...human.

He deserved to know.

Miroku pivoted on his heel before marching over to the manila file on his examining table.

"Time of death was last night at 2230. Severe lacerations covering the thoracic region indicate that the victim died of hemorrhage." He paused to check Inuyasha's reaction. He couldn't really tell if he was upset or just thinking.

"In my professional opinion the lacerations were caused by talons. Much like that of a dragon demon. I'm waiting for the lab to confirm my theory though."

Inuyasha frowned, his eyes narrowing in question.

"You can't tell by looking at his ashes?"

Miroku laughed. "I'm good, but not that good. No, Rin is looking into it for me."

Inuyasha groaned. If anyone was going to give him trouble it was Rin. She got along fine with Inuyasha as long as Sesshoumaru wasn't brought up. The girl was completely smitten with the FBI director. She would never go against any of Sesshoumaru's orders. Not necessarily because he was her boss, but because she loved him.

This was really going to set him back. However, everyone had a weakness.

"Is there a vending machine on the second floor?" Inuyasha asked, looking down at his watch.

Miroku placed a finger to his lips as a thoughtful look crossed his handsome face.

"I do believe so. Wait, you're not going to bribe our dear Rin, are you?" he laughed when the hanyou gave a firm nod. "Well, good luck my friend. I'd love to see if she sells out her precious Sesshoumaru for some chocolate."

"Don't curse me, Miroku. Maybe hes pissed her off. She may love him, but she's a female. They all have their days."

"Touche. I'll give you a call later."

There was a reason why the lab was sound proof. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't to keep eavesdroppers from over hearing confidential conversations. Although, that was a bonus. No, it was to keep the loud heavy metal music from spilling into the halls and disturbing the other divisions.

It was a proven fact that music stimulated your mind and allowing you to process information faster. At least, that was what Rin West claimed. She was the head of the forensics lab at the FBI, holding doctorates from not one, but two prestigious universities.

She was also nineteen, goth, and held an infatuation with heavy metal music.

Which was why Inuyasha found it strange that she was listening to classical.

"Are you sick?" he asked, entering the lab.

Rin jumped and spun around to face him, her arms bracing herself against the computer desk. She smiled sheepishly, reaching up to push back a strand of ebony hair from porcelain face.

"Inuyasha! You scared me. I thought you were Sesshoumaru." She laughed at herself, turning back around to face her work. He rolled his eyes. Of course, she was expecting him.

"What's with the music, Rin?"

She sighed, defeat flickering through her eyes.

"I was trying to try some of Sesshoumaru's music. I thought maybe if I gave it a try, I might like it. Then we could have something to talk about other than work."

He lifted a brow. "Seriously? Rin, you really shouldn't force yourself to listen to this shit for his sake."

She sent a pout over her shoulder. "It really is awful, isn't it? I guess it can't be helped." Picking up her ipod, she changed the music to something a little more familiar.

"That's better," he said, enjoying the way the bass vibrated through his chest. "Metallica will never die."

"You're not supposed to be here, you know." Rin stated in a matter of fact tone. "Don't ask to see any evidence, Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru-"

"Sesshoumaru," he cut in, reaching into his pocket, "doesn't have chocolate."

Rin's eyes narrowed. "You, sir, play dirty."

"It's an Almond Joy," he teased, waving it in front of her. He smirked when she took it, ripping open the paper and happily taking a bite. Hook, line, and sinker.

"What do you want to know?" She asked over a mouthful of coconut.

"What kind of demon was it and how was it incinerated?"

She swallowed before waving him over to her computer. "My computer matched the remains to that of a dragon youkai. It wasn't a smart one either. I found that the demon was scorched to death."

"By what?"

"By who, you mean. Or is it whom? Oh well, our mystery person is her!" She revealed, pointing to a woman on the screen. "Kagome Higurashi, Kikyo's younger sister. She had been staying the week with Kikyo and was at the house when the attack took place. It seems that she possesses the power of purification. Interesting, yes?"

Inuyasha took a step back. Kikyo had a sister? Was she still alive? Where was she now? Did Kouga know about her?

"Have they brought her in for questioning?"

Rin shook her head. "No, she's missing. Kouga and his team are out trying to find her. She fled the seen of the crime. Sesshoumaru thinks she's just scared. After all, she did just find out that youkai exist."

Now, it was making sense. But now that Kikyo was dead, Kagome would need protection. She was a witness and probably held vital information as to whether or not Naraku was on to them.

There was only one way to find out.

Find Kagome.

Read and Review please!