A/N: Here we go again. Thank you to everyone who has favored or followed this story so far. I hope you all like it.
Minor corrections were made.
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the manga/anime characters.
However any original characters in this fic belong to me.
Chapter two: Half-Demon...
Kagome and Sango's cab pulled up in front of a brick building that had a very business feel to it as long as you ignored the music that pulsed from it's every pore. There was a line of people who lead from the door, down the block and around the corner, if it went further she couldn't tell. Kagome's eyes roamed over the scantily dressed crowd that chatted, danced and rubbed on one another as they waited to go through the door the do the same things.
Silently Kagome noted that the part of town they were in was a few block from where she used to work. Just north of where they stood she could see the buildings rising over the others reflecting the lights of the cities endless bustle. Scanning back to the seemingly darker area that her and Sango stood in she understood what it meant, a few blocks behind this club was the beginning of the warehouse district. Somewhere out there, in that maze of alleys and empty streets was the slavers den she had nearly been sold to. A shutter ran down Kagome's spine and Sango noticed.
"Hey, it'll be ok. I promise. Now come on!" Grabbing the melancholy woman by the hand Sango dragged her to the front of the line before any protests could be made. "Sango and friend. We are guest of Miroku." Sango told the bouncer with a sweet smile. The tall, blue haired demon looked her up and down before flipping through the list in his clawed hand. When he undid the rope to let them both pass there was a roar of disapproval from the crowd behind them. A deep growl from the bouncer echoed around the street and silenced their whining. The suddenness of the noise caused Kagome to latch on to Sango's arm with a death grip.
After walking deeper into the club looking for the bar Kagome calmed enough to let her friend go before eyeing her curiously. "Soooo?" She led out looking at her friend's now blushing face.
"So what?" Sango tried to reply as if she had nothing to hide but not being able to look into the other woman's eyes killed to effect.
"Don't you 'So what' me! You drop some guys name at the door and we get in because you are on the list. I saw the line outside, this place is obviously HOTT right now. Sooo, spill!" Kagome flagged the bartender through the push of people gathered against the bar. She took the liberty to order for them both while Sango gather her thoughts.
Their drinks in hand, the two walked through the crowded place to the second level where tables were located. Fewer people had gathered on the upper level in favor of being on the dance floor. Both women felt excited to find a table near the railing so they could look down on the dance floor. The people pulsed and moved to the rhythm of the music flowing from the speakers. It was like looking out on a sea of heads and arms that rose and fell in different intervals. The entire thing was primal with how close every body was pressed to the ones next to it, all the sweat and other things mixed and mingled with not one beings below cared.
"I met him at the café around the corner from work. You know the one Ayame works at?" Sango looked at Kagome waiting for her to confirm they were on the same page. After a nod of ebony hair Sango continued. "Well, I went to grab the boss a coffee, he says he hates the stuff in the office so I always have to go out for it. Anyways, so I'm waiting in line when I get bumped into by this guy who's talking loudly with his friend. Pissed as I was I turned around to give him a piece of my mind but he grabbed my hand before I could say anything. He started telling me how sorry he was for bumping into me. I swear the words died in my mouth. He was handsome with thick, black hair and he had the most startling violet eyes I had ever seen."
"I thought only demons had eye colors like that?" Kagome said with her brow drawn. Sango wasn't racist but as a descendant of slayers she normally didn't look at demons that way. Friends yes, more than that she felt was a betrayal to her family. But Kagome knew if it came down to love Sango would go for love. Even though Sango was tough as nails, she was a hidden romantic.
"I know but he had a holy aura like a priest or monk. The friend with him was definitely demon." After a moment of thinking Sango clapped her hands in front of her, "Back to the story! So he apologized, bought my coffees and gave me his number. He told me that he worked here and if I told the bouncer his name I could get in. I gave him my name and told him I would meet him here!" By the end she was smiling in her excitement.
Kagome smiled brightly at her friend. She hadn't seen Sango so excited about a guy since college, which ended sour for Sango. The guy had been sweet, perfect really. He had looks, money, a job waiting for after graduation but he had wanted to wed her and turn her into a house wife. Sango liked him a lot, probably loved him deep down, the problem was she had plans and a life she wanted to live. They broke up and he told her she could always come back, he would wait for her. Looking at her friend across the table Kagome hoped that she wasn't expecting to much from a coffee shop run in but at the same time she hoped Sango would find everything she'd been looking for. 'Cause facts were facts, Kagome was a romantic too and finding true love by accident in the coffee shop was so Hallmark!
"I'm going to text him and telling him I'm here." Sango said happily then she looked at her friend suddenly worried. "You'll meet him right? I mean what if he turns out to be a creeper? I'll need back up just incase."
Kagome laughed at her friend's nervousness. "I will feel so sorry for him if he is because you will end up giving him the butt kicking of his life!"
Sango joined Kagome's laughter as she thought about what she would really do if he was a pervert and yes kicking his ass seemed about right. "Okay, that might be true but you will stay won't you?"
"Of course, San. We didn't have to wait in that ridiculous line because of him, the least I can do is say Hi. But first I'm grabbing another drink, you want?" Kagome smiled as she turned and started pushing her way through the smaller crowd of the second level as she looked for the bar.
As the music blasted on in the club two figures sat staring at computer screens in the basement. One large touch screen took up most of wall with four smaller flat screens on either side. In front of them sat a young fox demon with flame orange hair and bright green eyes. His clawed fingers plugged away at the keys in his lap. The young demon was trying his best to not let his boss and adopted father down. The latter was information that few knew, most assumed the shared last name had been Inuyasha's parents doing and Inu was fine with letting people believe that. In the end it had kept Shippou safer than the truth would have and the young kitsune knew it.
"Any progress, Shippou? The boss seemed real anxious to get this information." Miroku said looking over Shippou's shoulder for the umpteenth time in the last hour.
"Back off, Miroku." The kit growled a bad habit pick up over years of being around Inuyasha. Facing the dark-haired man, Shippou took a breath to calm himself. "Do you have any idea how many operations Naraku has done in the past month let alone the past nine to a year?! I'll give you a hint it's definitely more than one. The boss knows this. If he grows impatient with me, you and I both know my head will be feeling it. So do us both a favor and get out of my hair 'cause if I get hit on the head my smashing top is headed for you."
Miroku stepped back wary of the kitsune's threat. "I think someone spends too much time with the boss. Aren't fox demons suppose to be happy pranksters?"
Shippou turned back to his screens and began tapping away at the keys again before quietly answering the monk's question. "Only the ones who don't have to watch both their parents be murdered when they are no bigger than a human seven-year old."
No one but Inuyasha and Shippou seemed to know the details about the boys past, but it had been bad. Miroku looked at the fox who resembled thirteen year old human. It was hard to tell how old he was in demon years, that was something demons liked to keep under wraps. It didn't matter though, Miroku could see right then that the pain traveled with the kid no matter how old he was. The pain was there and still very raw.
Nodding silently Miroku walked across the moderately finished basement that resembled Inuyasha's office. The main difference was the carpet was gold and the furniture was black with blood-red stitching. The place was set up to be as livable as possible for members which was nice 'cause sometimes you just couldn't go home. At the other end of the room opposite the door that hid Shippou's computer room were the stairs that would take him back up to the club floor. Miroku decided he would mingle until Shippou text him or Inuyasha found him. He was hopeful for the first before the second. Right before he reached the door his phone vibrated with a text. Violet eyes lit up as the name Sango flashed at the bottom of the message on his screen. What a perfect way to waste time waiting on Shippou to finish.
Miroku practically skipped up the stairs to the second level. On the way he grabbed a rump or two every few feet. Most of the time he got delighted squeals and giggles but every once in a while there would be a woman turn around pissed and looking for the hand that touched her. It was women like that which made Miroku glad tonight he only did it in passing. Finally he found where the lovely Sango was sitting. His eyes drank her in while he was still unnoticed. Yes, he had made a good call giving his name and number to her. She had pulled her long brown hair into a high ponytail that swept back and forth across her bare back when she would shake her head. She turned to the side giving him a view of the very form-fitting black dress she wore and in her sitting position it was riding slowly up her thighs as she wiggled when she talked. Having enough of hiding in the shadows he approached her as the person who had stopped to chat left her.
"My dearest, Sango, you look absolutely stunning tonight." He delighted in the woman's delicate blush as he kissed her hand.
"Oh! Kagome, this is Miroku. Miroku, this is my best friend Kagome." Miroku turned his attention to the woman who had just appeared at the table. She sat the drinks down and extended her hand to greet him.
Swiftly Miroku grabbed her hands and fell on one knee. "My beautiful lady, would you do me the honor of bearing my children?"
Both Kagome and Sango were frozen in shock for a moment. Sango was the first to pull out of their stupor smacking the kneeling man on the back of the head with her purse.
"PERVERT!" She shouted at him as she stepped next to Kagome moving her friend away. "I should have known. I can't ever find a nice guy that's also handsome in this city! Let's go Kagome." The two grabbed their drinks from the table and started walking away from the grinning idiot still on his knee. "And don't you DARE follow us!" Sango yelled over her shoulder venom dripping in her voice.
Once the girls where half way around the top-level they found a new table. This time they sat closer to the wall so they could watch for Miroku's approach. In the end there were to many people to really keep a look out.
"I am so sorry." Sango said pleadingly, her expression sad as she looked at her hands in her lap. "I didn't think he would turn out to be that way."
Kagome looked at her dejected friend, she had been so lively earlier but one less than smooth move and Sango's mood was shot.
"You know, it was kind of funny." Kagome said softly trying to lighten the mood around them.
Sango looked up, fighting the smile trying to erupt on her pale pink lips. "You're right, I mean how many people ask you to bear their children."
"None that I have ever heard until tonight." Both women ended up holding their sides laughing about the man they had just met and the seriousness of his old world question.
"Ms. Higurashi?"
The laughter instantly died between them as the girls looked up into a questioning pair of soft brown eyes. The man in front of them was around five foot ten inches, clean-cut brown hair, wearing a dark blue tee-shirt and black jeans. He began fidgeting slightly from one foot to the other as the woman he addressed looked him over.
"Detective Houjou?" She questioned out loud causing him to look around the crowd immediately before giving her the slightest nod.
"May I sit and buy you ladies a drink?" His voice was cheerful as his smile beamed at them.
How could they refuse such an offer? The detective sat next to Kagome and she smiled lightly at him. Sango sat across the table looking at the man curiously. She knew she had seen him before and even his title and name were sort of familiar but she was having trouble putting her finger on the where, when, and why. Kagome seemed to have placed him so she hoped listening would help jog her own memory.
"How have you been, Ms. Higurashi? I thought that I would have seen you more often than this. I must admit I have been worried."
"Detective-"
"Please, call me Akitoki while we are here." The man smiled brightly at her but both women noticed his eyes sweep the room.
"Is there something wrong?" Sango questioned stopping his actions.
He laughed awkwardly while rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I don't want to worry you after what you had gone through." Akitoki's voice was gentle as he spoke to Ms. Higurashi.
That was it! A huge light bulb went off in Sango's head and she knew where she had met the detective. He was the one who handled Kagome's case a year ago. Sango had been the one they called to get her from the hospital and Detective Houjou had been there asking some final questions. Also he had clearly been sweet on Kagome even then.
"W-What do you mean?" The panic in Kagome's voice broke Sango out of her thoughts and focused her on the two in front of her.
"As you know demons in the warehouse district aren't doing good business and the rumor is that the owner of this place came out of the district a few months ago. Problem is Sesshomaru Taisho owns the businesses on the top three floors and he has never been known to deal with shady demons." Akitoki leaned back in his chair trying to appear relaxed but knowing there were demons all around with superior hearing made it hard.
"If Mr. Taisho is so clean then why look into this place?" Sango asked after a moment to think.
"It's been confirmed that has a younger half-brother happens to be a half demon, same as the name of the club. He could very well be the demon who moved out of the district." The detective felt like there were eyes boring into him but no matter how many times he scanned the area there were no cameras to be seen.
"What is his brother's name? Wouldn't that help solve the matter?" Kagome asked before finishing off her drink and flagging the waitress down to bring her the drink Houjou had promised.
"Inuyasha Taisho is the younger brother's name." Kagome could have sworn her heart stopped the moment the name fell out of the man's mouth, but the other two at the table didn't notice her world freeze. Akitoki continued without skipping a beat, "He had some minor things when he was in high school, but seemed to have fallen off of the grid over the last few years. There have been reports that he's been spotted at some functions that his brother holds now and then but it's mostly hear say, no evidence."
"What makes you think he is from the district?" Sango asked total engrossed in their conversation. But she didn't even have a chance to finish her question before they were interrupted.
"Excuse me." Three tall broad chested demons appeared behind Detective Houjou causing Kagome and Sango to stare wide-eyed in shock. They were clearly bouncers but as far as the girls could tell they had done nothing wrong.
"How can I help you gentlemen?" Akitoki said in a mockingly polite tone as he slowly stood up. He knew that he had said too much talking with the girls, but after what Ms. Higurashi had gone through he felt she needed to know what could happen being in a demon club.
"Don't make a scene in front of the women, just come with us." The first one said as his blue eyes studied the girls. He was tall with dark skin. His long black hair was pulled into a pony tail that was similar to Sango's.
"What has he done that three of you need to take him away?" Kagome stood up getting ready to defend the kind detective. But the three demons didn't listen to her, they simply lead the man away without a second look at the two women.
"I don't allow cops in my club." A gruff voice came from behind Sango. Kagome knew it instantly even though they hadn't spoken much and it had been a year, she knew it. "I thought you would have learned your lesson about coming down this way."
Slowly Kagome turn to finally look at the being of her obsession for the past twelve months. He looked different from when she had seen him, since now he wasn't hidden under a hood, but the things that hadn't changed were his blazing gold eyes that burned into her as she stared. All the emotions and questions that filled her spilled out into one breath of a word, "Inuyasha..."
A/N: Thank you for those who have fav'ed, followed and/or reviewed I thank you very much! I love you all! ;)
Autobotgirl2234 and Larissa- you were the first reviews for this fic. THANK YOU!
Dida, Larissa, and Guest- you three were my first reviews for the prologue to this fic. Chance so a BIG THANK YOU and I hope you are enjoying this one as well.