Disclaimer: Well, nothing has changed so far! Not the title, not the plot, not the characters, and definetly not the disclaimer ^_^
Author's Note:
Yvonne: Hullo everybody! So glad to get reviews! n_n Special thanks to reviewers Deadly Tears, Amanda, and Moon-Neko-Princess for being the first three to review! [hugs] And Moon-Neko-Princess, your Halloween story was adorable!
Bakhu: -_-;; I wanted to review first but. . . [rolls eyes] You know, I'm grounded.
Yvonne: Yeah yeah, I know. [grumbles]
Bakhu: [sighs] Maybe some other day. . .
Yvonne: Well, what are we waiting for? Let's roll!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kagome paced the floor of the lobby nervously. "Grrr!" she said, tugging at her ebony hair. "Where could they be? What if they're lost?"
"Nah," Inuyasha said, glaring at the welcome girl. For some reason, she seemed familiar to him. . . She was very pretty, with long, ebony hair, blue eyes, and milky-white skin. A crystal-like jewel hung around her neck, catching the light on it's pink surface, which almonst seemed to glow. She smiled softly at him, looking no older than 16. And all of a sudden, an old childhood song popped into his mind.
~Kumo azukari sono narabi
Kishi nasu za asaito
Niji kyoukou sono supaida
Kyoki kahouni sore
Midoridansei agensuto yori Niji
Sakana okeru za chuuhan zenki Kyoki
Niji tame sono touzainanboku
Kishi juujika za fisshu
Oyobi sakusei ato ookii amimono~
The words were faint, but familiar. But it had been a long time since her heard that song. All the words seemed like a huge jumble to him, without any meaning.
BANG!
The lobby door had been thrown open violently. Panting, Sango and Miroku appeared. "Got lost in the headquarters," Sango puffed. "Now, what's this big case?"
Detective Kouga stepped in. "Ah, Kagome!" he said. "Good thing you're here. This man right here appointed you. Naraku, this is Kagome. Kagome, meet Naraku."
Kagome stiffened. This man was STRANGE. He had a long, pale face and strage, lifeless eyes. His hair was long, wavy, and unkept. He was wearing a bunch of jewelry and his thin lips were very white. They curled into a smile when he saw her. "Well, hello Miss Higurashi. I've heard many good things about you. Private eye, hm? I hope you will assist me in this crime. It's a terrible thing indeed, murder. Tsk, tsk, tsk. How very unfortunate."
Inuyasha stiffened, too. The nerve of him! Tutting at Kagome when he barely knew her. Naraku's snakelike hair twisted as he turned to face Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku.
"What, ho? Are these your friends? Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango, as I presume." Naraku gave a short laugh. "I'm good at these things," he said smugly.
There was a stiffness in the air.
"Um. . . Can you please explain the case, sir?" Kag said nervously.
"As you wish," Naraku said, sitting down. "As you know, three murders were commited the last two nights. One in Kawasaki, another in Funabashi, and one right here in Tokyo. A man named Musou was killed in Kawasaki. An arrow went right through him. Here's a picture of him before he died."
Naraku pushed a full-body shot of a man. He looked about 25, maybe younger. He looked alot like Naraku. . . But his face was rounder and not as pale, his eyes slightly red. His hair was dark and just as messy, but he wore a lot less jewelry.
"Another murder was of a girl named Kanna. She died in Funabashi. Slashed right down the middle. . . Terrible thing to have happened. She looked young, but she was really around 18." Another picture, this time of a pearly white girl with twin flowers in her hair. Her face was even paler than Naraku's. She was wearing a pure white Kimono. The only thing that seemed alive on her were the flowers - Her eyes were like black, lifeless tunnels.
"And the last was of a girl named Kagura. She was in her late teens when it happened. Someone strangled her to death, right here in Tokyo. Here," said Naraku.
Another picture. This one was of a tall girl wearing a fancy Kimono. Her hair was black and put in a fancy bun. Her eyes were a bloodshot red.
"Any clues, sir?" Kagome said.
"Yes," said Naraku. "All three victims were members of a gang, called the Takaramono. They were all between 17 and 23, and they were all carrying a copy of a book when they died, which was opened to a certain page."
"All three of them?" Kagome promted.
"All three," confirmed Naraku. "Opened to a page with a picture of a Buddha statue. The book was the bestselling 'Mare Ken Tattoi Takaramono'."
There was a sharp intake of breath from around the room. 'Takaramono' was part of the book title!
Naraku droned on, unaware of the sudden stillness in the room. "And all three were carrying a picture. . . Of a rising staircase. I've got a copy here." He laid a piece of crumpled paper on the table. It was picture of a staircase going up, up, up. On the second step there was a picture of a man's head far to the right (still on the staircase, though), only it was green. In the middle was a picture of a big tree. On the left was a picture of a rainbow. Then, on the edge of the third step was a picture of a fish, splat in the middle. To the far right was a black mark that jutted a bit off the staircase, though it didn't look like it was suppose to be there, as if someone had did it on accident. On the edge of the fourth step, there was a rainbow on the left and a green face on the right again. Then in the middle of the 6th step was a flag. On the top edge of the seventh step was a spider, right in the middle.
And that was it. Seven steps in all.
"This is IT?" Kag said, tearing at her hair again. She had never ran into a puzzle like this before in all her cases. Usually they were riddles, which she was good at. But THIS? It was just a picture, some ridiculous picture that didn't make the least once of sense.
Kagome glared at it. The picture glared back.
"Umm, Naraku. . . ? May I borrow this picture? It's obviously a vital clue. . . If I - We, that is -" she motioned at her surrounding friends, "-solve it, it might as well unlock the mystery."
"Excellent," Naraku said, steepling his spidery, pale fingers. "The sooner, the better, Kagome." Then he made a big fuss about the time and rose, saying, "Oh my goodness gracious, will you look at the time?! Really, I must be leaving now. . . " He glanced quickly at his Golden Rolex and added, "Oh, and Kagome, say you will think about the picture tonight? Don't loose it, either. It's very important. Bye." With that he was out the door.
Silence enveloped the air.
". . .W-w-well. . . " Sango said, clearing her throat loudly to break the ice. "He certainly was. . . A strange man."
"Keh!" Inu barked, his golden eyes flashing. "What a bastard! Did you SEE the way he was talking?! Almost as if he KNEW all of us! Personally!"
"Come ON!" Sango said, throwing back her head and laughing. "You know that's impossible!"
Miroku looked at Sango. "Really? He seems kinda familiar to me. Well. . . You know, I have a weird feeling about this guy. . . I don't think it's safe to trust him. Do you guys get what I'm saying? He seems. . . Well, I can't really place my finger on it. Fishy? Yeah, I guess so. Fishy."
Inuyasha glared at him. "Yeah, I know what you mean. . . "
The welcome girl came up, smiling a dazzling smile, and said, "Would you guys like something to eat? Refreshment, perhaps? You all look pretty worn out."
Inuyasha felt the song begin inside his head. His heart jerked uncertainly, as if it did not know what to think of this girl.
"No, we've got to get home," Kag said, carefully pocketing the valuable scrap of paper. "But thanks anyways. Bye."
The welcome girl smiled kindly as they left, the song still playing in Inu's mind. '. . .Niji kyoukou sono supaida, Kyoki kahouni sore, Midoridansei agensuto yori Niji, Sakana okeru za chuuhan zenki Kyoki. . . '
They bunched together in one cab this time, quietly dicussing the case. Whispers were heard throughout the car, though none were very clear.
". . .See the green face? Yeah, it's. . . "
". . .The rainbow, too. . . "
". . .It's just a spider, silly. . ."
". . .Flags fly on poles. . ."
". . .So?. . ."
Kagome leaned against Inu, frowning slightly. "Inuyasha?" she said gently.
"Hm?" he grunted back.
"Don't you think it's all. . . Very weird?"
"What's weird?"
"Well. . . You know. All the strange. . . "
Inuyasha waited for the last word to come out.
". . .Connections?"
He turned his back to her, thinking. She was right, but something else was bothinering him. Something that had nothing to do with the mystery. He was thinking about the welcome girl.
Why did that accursed song come into his mind? He had not heard it for ages now. . . So why did he think of it? And why wouldn't it stop nagging him? And WHO was that girl? She seemed so lonely and sad in a way, even when she seemed so beautiful. . . Why did she remind him of an old children's nursery song? Why did his heart jerk like so. . . ?
"Inuyasha?. . . Are you alright?" Kagome worried voice shattered his thoughts.
"Hm? What? Oh, sorry. I kinda. . . Sapced out right there. What were you saying?"
A small smile spread across Kag's young face. "Silly. I was just talking about connections. . . So, don't you think it's kind of weird?"
"Yeah," Inu said, not really thinking about what he was saying. "Yeah, connections. . . "
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And as the car left, the welcome girl emerged. 'Oh, have you forgotten me from all these years? Have you, Inuyasha?'
She tossed back her sheet of black hair, her azure eyes flashing. She took from her pocket a little music box and twisted a key. A tinkling melody started, and she began singing softly.
"Kumo azukari sono narabi
Kishi nasu za asaito
Niji kyoukou sono supaida
Kyoki kahouni sore
Midoridansei agensuto yori Niji
Sakana okeru za chuuhan zenki Kyoki
Niji tame sono touzainanboku
Kishi juujika za fisshu
Oyobi sakusei ato ookii amimono. . . "
The melody began slowing down, until the few notes were heard, and the song finally stopped. The girl returned the music box to her pocket, but continued to hum the melody. She returned to the lobby, where one name was visible on her name plate, no last name was to be seen.
And that one name was-
Kikyou.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yvonne: Story starting to get heated up! ^^ And sorry, I changed the plan a bit - Kikyou DOES exist, and for now, she's peaceful. It adds a more interesting toch to the story. Originally it was to be another girl, but I thought Kikyou played the part better, so. . . n_n
Bakhu: And the lyrics and the book title?
Yvonne: I made the lyrics up myself. For now, I won't release the translation, but I will later. (Can't wait till then!) And the book title, translated, is 'Rare and Valuable Treasures'. Yes, the gang name translated is 'Treasure(s)'.
Bakhu: And please R&R for my best friend! [happy smile]
Yvonne: All for now! Bai!
Author's Note:
Yvonne: Hullo everybody! So glad to get reviews! n_n Special thanks to reviewers Deadly Tears, Amanda, and Moon-Neko-Princess for being the first three to review! [hugs] And Moon-Neko-Princess, your Halloween story was adorable!
Bakhu: -_-;; I wanted to review first but. . . [rolls eyes] You know, I'm grounded.
Yvonne: Yeah yeah, I know. [grumbles]
Bakhu: [sighs] Maybe some other day. . .
Yvonne: Well, what are we waiting for? Let's roll!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kagome paced the floor of the lobby nervously. "Grrr!" she said, tugging at her ebony hair. "Where could they be? What if they're lost?"
"Nah," Inuyasha said, glaring at the welcome girl. For some reason, she seemed familiar to him. . . She was very pretty, with long, ebony hair, blue eyes, and milky-white skin. A crystal-like jewel hung around her neck, catching the light on it's pink surface, which almonst seemed to glow. She smiled softly at him, looking no older than 16. And all of a sudden, an old childhood song popped into his mind.
~Kumo azukari sono narabi
Kishi nasu za asaito
Niji kyoukou sono supaida
Kyoki kahouni sore
Midoridansei agensuto yori Niji
Sakana okeru za chuuhan zenki Kyoki
Niji tame sono touzainanboku
Kishi juujika za fisshu
Oyobi sakusei ato ookii amimono~
The words were faint, but familiar. But it had been a long time since her heard that song. All the words seemed like a huge jumble to him, without any meaning.
BANG!
The lobby door had been thrown open violently. Panting, Sango and Miroku appeared. "Got lost in the headquarters," Sango puffed. "Now, what's this big case?"
Detective Kouga stepped in. "Ah, Kagome!" he said. "Good thing you're here. This man right here appointed you. Naraku, this is Kagome. Kagome, meet Naraku."
Kagome stiffened. This man was STRANGE. He had a long, pale face and strage, lifeless eyes. His hair was long, wavy, and unkept. He was wearing a bunch of jewelry and his thin lips were very white. They curled into a smile when he saw her. "Well, hello Miss Higurashi. I've heard many good things about you. Private eye, hm? I hope you will assist me in this crime. It's a terrible thing indeed, murder. Tsk, tsk, tsk. How very unfortunate."
Inuyasha stiffened, too. The nerve of him! Tutting at Kagome when he barely knew her. Naraku's snakelike hair twisted as he turned to face Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku.
"What, ho? Are these your friends? Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango, as I presume." Naraku gave a short laugh. "I'm good at these things," he said smugly.
There was a stiffness in the air.
"Um. . . Can you please explain the case, sir?" Kag said nervously.
"As you wish," Naraku said, sitting down. "As you know, three murders were commited the last two nights. One in Kawasaki, another in Funabashi, and one right here in Tokyo. A man named Musou was killed in Kawasaki. An arrow went right through him. Here's a picture of him before he died."
Naraku pushed a full-body shot of a man. He looked about 25, maybe younger. He looked alot like Naraku. . . But his face was rounder and not as pale, his eyes slightly red. His hair was dark and just as messy, but he wore a lot less jewelry.
"Another murder was of a girl named Kanna. She died in Funabashi. Slashed right down the middle. . . Terrible thing to have happened. She looked young, but she was really around 18." Another picture, this time of a pearly white girl with twin flowers in her hair. Her face was even paler than Naraku's. She was wearing a pure white Kimono. The only thing that seemed alive on her were the flowers - Her eyes were like black, lifeless tunnels.
"And the last was of a girl named Kagura. She was in her late teens when it happened. Someone strangled her to death, right here in Tokyo. Here," said Naraku.
Another picture. This one was of a tall girl wearing a fancy Kimono. Her hair was black and put in a fancy bun. Her eyes were a bloodshot red.
"Any clues, sir?" Kagome said.
"Yes," said Naraku. "All three victims were members of a gang, called the Takaramono. They were all between 17 and 23, and they were all carrying a copy of a book when they died, which was opened to a certain page."
"All three of them?" Kagome promted.
"All three," confirmed Naraku. "Opened to a page with a picture of a Buddha statue. The book was the bestselling 'Mare Ken Tattoi Takaramono'."
There was a sharp intake of breath from around the room. 'Takaramono' was part of the book title!
Naraku droned on, unaware of the sudden stillness in the room. "And all three were carrying a picture. . . Of a rising staircase. I've got a copy here." He laid a piece of crumpled paper on the table. It was picture of a staircase going up, up, up. On the second step there was a picture of a man's head far to the right (still on the staircase, though), only it was green. In the middle was a picture of a big tree. On the left was a picture of a rainbow. Then, on the edge of the third step was a picture of a fish, splat in the middle. To the far right was a black mark that jutted a bit off the staircase, though it didn't look like it was suppose to be there, as if someone had did it on accident. On the edge of the fourth step, there was a rainbow on the left and a green face on the right again. Then in the middle of the 6th step was a flag. On the top edge of the seventh step was a spider, right in the middle.
And that was it. Seven steps in all.
"This is IT?" Kag said, tearing at her hair again. She had never ran into a puzzle like this before in all her cases. Usually they were riddles, which she was good at. But THIS? It was just a picture, some ridiculous picture that didn't make the least once of sense.
Kagome glared at it. The picture glared back.
"Umm, Naraku. . . ? May I borrow this picture? It's obviously a vital clue. . . If I - We, that is -" she motioned at her surrounding friends, "-solve it, it might as well unlock the mystery."
"Excellent," Naraku said, steepling his spidery, pale fingers. "The sooner, the better, Kagome." Then he made a big fuss about the time and rose, saying, "Oh my goodness gracious, will you look at the time?! Really, I must be leaving now. . . " He glanced quickly at his Golden Rolex and added, "Oh, and Kagome, say you will think about the picture tonight? Don't loose it, either. It's very important. Bye." With that he was out the door.
Silence enveloped the air.
". . .W-w-well. . . " Sango said, clearing her throat loudly to break the ice. "He certainly was. . . A strange man."
"Keh!" Inu barked, his golden eyes flashing. "What a bastard! Did you SEE the way he was talking?! Almost as if he KNEW all of us! Personally!"
"Come ON!" Sango said, throwing back her head and laughing. "You know that's impossible!"
Miroku looked at Sango. "Really? He seems kinda familiar to me. Well. . . You know, I have a weird feeling about this guy. . . I don't think it's safe to trust him. Do you guys get what I'm saying? He seems. . . Well, I can't really place my finger on it. Fishy? Yeah, I guess so. Fishy."
Inuyasha glared at him. "Yeah, I know what you mean. . . "
The welcome girl came up, smiling a dazzling smile, and said, "Would you guys like something to eat? Refreshment, perhaps? You all look pretty worn out."
Inuyasha felt the song begin inside his head. His heart jerked uncertainly, as if it did not know what to think of this girl.
"No, we've got to get home," Kag said, carefully pocketing the valuable scrap of paper. "But thanks anyways. Bye."
The welcome girl smiled kindly as they left, the song still playing in Inu's mind. '. . .Niji kyoukou sono supaida, Kyoki kahouni sore, Midoridansei agensuto yori Niji, Sakana okeru za chuuhan zenki Kyoki. . . '
They bunched together in one cab this time, quietly dicussing the case. Whispers were heard throughout the car, though none were very clear.
". . .See the green face? Yeah, it's. . . "
". . .The rainbow, too. . . "
". . .It's just a spider, silly. . ."
". . .Flags fly on poles. . ."
". . .So?. . ."
Kagome leaned against Inu, frowning slightly. "Inuyasha?" she said gently.
"Hm?" he grunted back.
"Don't you think it's all. . . Very weird?"
"What's weird?"
"Well. . . You know. All the strange. . . "
Inuyasha waited for the last word to come out.
". . .Connections?"
He turned his back to her, thinking. She was right, but something else was bothinering him. Something that had nothing to do with the mystery. He was thinking about the welcome girl.
Why did that accursed song come into his mind? He had not heard it for ages now. . . So why did he think of it? And why wouldn't it stop nagging him? And WHO was that girl? She seemed so lonely and sad in a way, even when she seemed so beautiful. . . Why did she remind him of an old children's nursery song? Why did his heart jerk like so. . . ?
"Inuyasha?. . . Are you alright?" Kagome worried voice shattered his thoughts.
"Hm? What? Oh, sorry. I kinda. . . Sapced out right there. What were you saying?"
A small smile spread across Kag's young face. "Silly. I was just talking about connections. . . So, don't you think it's kind of weird?"
"Yeah," Inu said, not really thinking about what he was saying. "Yeah, connections. . . "
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And as the car left, the welcome girl emerged. 'Oh, have you forgotten me from all these years? Have you, Inuyasha?'
She tossed back her sheet of black hair, her azure eyes flashing. She took from her pocket a little music box and twisted a key. A tinkling melody started, and she began singing softly.
"Kumo azukari sono narabi
Kishi nasu za asaito
Niji kyoukou sono supaida
Kyoki kahouni sore
Midoridansei agensuto yori Niji
Sakana okeru za chuuhan zenki Kyoki
Niji tame sono touzainanboku
Kishi juujika za fisshu
Oyobi sakusei ato ookii amimono. . . "
The melody began slowing down, until the few notes were heard, and the song finally stopped. The girl returned the music box to her pocket, but continued to hum the melody. She returned to the lobby, where one name was visible on her name plate, no last name was to be seen.
And that one name was-
Kikyou.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yvonne: Story starting to get heated up! ^^ And sorry, I changed the plan a bit - Kikyou DOES exist, and for now, she's peaceful. It adds a more interesting toch to the story. Originally it was to be another girl, but I thought Kikyou played the part better, so. . . n_n
Bakhu: And the lyrics and the book title?
Yvonne: I made the lyrics up myself. For now, I won't release the translation, but I will later. (Can't wait till then!) And the book title, translated, is 'Rare and Valuable Treasures'. Yes, the gang name translated is 'Treasure(s)'.
Bakhu: And please R&R for my best friend! [happy smile]
Yvonne: All for now! Bai!