-Among Us-
Chapter 1
Watchers Interrogation Room
October 15, 2018
"M-my name is Kagome Higurashi."
The voice was soft but was able to be heard by the wind demon. Kagura was not going to let her emotions get the better of her during this interrogation. While a part of her was ultimately destroyed at the fact that not only did she lose three of her Watchers and friends, but another friend was the source of it. The perpetrator. And it was Kagome of all people!
"You are aware of the charges being held against you?" Kagura kept her voice as neutral and emotionless as she could muster. If she showed even a dose of emotion she would lose everything she was holding in.
"Yes." Kagome kept her eyes on her folded hands in front of her. They looked like they were gripping each other for dear life. Her voice was so quiet that Kagura wasn't sure if the recorder picked it up.
"You are willing to comply?"
"Yes." Monotoned. How is she able to sound like this?! She didn't even show any emotions when we found her!? Subtly pulling her lower lip into her mouth, Kagura remembered to focus on the task at hand.
"Do you wish for a lawyer or representative on your behalf?"
"No." She slowly looked up to Kagura and for the first time since she entered the room, showed such sorrow in her eyes. Her voice still holding monotone and lifelessness, "I'll tell you whatever you wanna know."
Breathing deeply from her nostrils, Kagura opened the first file that was in front of her. The information revealing many things about the woman in front of her. Her birthdate, height, weight, ranking, home address….Where do I even start? Kagura then saw her starting date as a member.
"Let's start at the beginning…." She decided out loud as she looked at Kagome's file. "You began on September 28, 2015, is that correct?"
"Yes."
"Please speak up for the recorder."
"Yes." Kagome raised her voice slightly. Kagura raised an eyebrow in irritation but continued.
"Explain how you became aware of the existence of our organization."
Breathing slowly, images of golden eyes flashed behind her eyes. How could she forget meeting him? Kagome started…
Over 2 years earlier….
Tokyo, Japan
September 8, 2016
Inuyasha was not happy with this assignment. Not. At. All.
All he did was watch this human and report back at base to his boss about what he saw. Which was damn near close to nothing. He recalled the conversation his captain had with him when he was given the assignment.
"Takahashi, my office."
Taking a deep breath, Inuyasha looked up from the file he was reading on his desk and watched the figure who spoke disappear into a door on the other side of the room.
"What did you do now, Inuyasha?" Sango asked with a raised eyebrow at the short and direct order from the captain.
"The hell if I know." He mumbled back as he got up and started to the office.
"It's been nice knowing you." Miroku joked as he leaned back against the side of Sangos desk.
"I don't think he's going to die, Miroku."
"Hard telling with Jeri."
Stepping into the office, Jeri motioned for him to close the door.
"I have a special assignment for you." Putting out the cigarette in the ashtray, Jeri picked up a tan folder from the top of a pile of papers on his desk. He was then handed a thin file with the name KAGOME HIGURASHI on the tab.
"What's Ka-go-me?" Inuyasha asked, wondering if the name was an abbreviation for something.
"It's not what, it's a whom," His captain chuckled. "I want you to follow a woman by the name of Kagome Higurashi and report back to me about anything...peculiar that she does." He pushed his glasses up his nose.
"Peculiar? Is she a suspect for something?" Inuyasha noticed the slight shrug of Jeri's shoulders.
"It's from the higher-ups. I am only doing what they tell me to do." He put his hands in his suit pockets.
"Keh. So I have to waste my time and watch some girl? What the hell am I supposed to look out for?"
"Just anything that a normal human wouldn't be able to see or produce. Read her file."
He read the file. There was jack in it.
That conversation was nearly three months ago. So far the only slightly interesting thing that this wench did was come outside to practice what he could see as boxing. While she didn't have an actual boxing area, she had a giant bag that was dangling from the ceiling of the shed in her yard. About an hour or so after she returned home she would come out and spend about 20 to 30 minutes with loud music hitting the thing. Inuyasha knew this because he would perch himself as high as he could in the tree next to the shed and watch her from a window at the top of the wall next to the tree.
Fighting and self-defense was no stranger to Inuyasha. Having a half-demon heritage, he had taken part in many fights for both self-defense and pride. For the position he was in now with the Watchers he was required to have a certain knowledge of all kinds of fighting. He would watch her for however long she practiced and was impressed by how fluid she moved and how she was quick on her feet.
The wench would usually practice for about 20 - 30 minutes or so, then she would retire into her house for the night. The next morning her light in her bedroom, or what he assumed was her bedroom, would light up around 5 am and in about 15 minutes she would come outside and go for her morning jog.
The first time Inuyasha watched her and she went for a jog, he was taking extra precautions to make sure he wouldn't be spotted. It was a typical jogging trail. She ran a few blocks down the street from her house until she reaches a park and follows a trail around it and goes back around the park and back to her house.
About an hour and a half later she was heading out to whatever class she had that day. Her file said she was a third-year Biology major at Tokyo University. She also did some work as a nurse at the clinic 20 minutes from her house. Inuyasha knew he wasn't the sharpest crayon in the box, but he knew from her class list that she wanted to go into law enforcement. Classes such as Criminal Forensics, Criminology 303, Microbiology, Abnormal Psychology, and Chemistry 432 were not classes you took for fun.
Some days she wouldn't have classes and would work as a nurse at the clinic that was about a twenty-minute walk the opposite way from the park. She usually worked for about eight or twelve hours then she came home and depending on how late it was, how she was feeling, or some reason he wasn't too sure about, she would go to the hidden part of the shrines that her home had and practiced. Her schedule stayed the same and rarely changed.
During the first few weeks of watching her, Inuyasha finally learned her work and school schedule. While she was at work on a Saturday, he managed to find an unlocked window and snuck into her house. He was just going to look around for anything that would count as peculiar.
The only window that was unlocked was a window on the second floor. A few minutes later, the half-demon learned that it was her bedroom. Even if he was only doing this for his boss, it was still weird to be in a woman's room without her knowledge of his existence.
It's not like she's my friend or whatever….
He decided to start there and found that her scent was nice. It had a strange calming effect on him. He concluded that it had to be due to the fact that lilac was a calming scent in general. He opened the many drawers that he came into contact with and even went through her closet. The only slightly interesting thing was that she had a bow and a couple of arrows in the back of the closet. Maybe she was in an archery club while in school and she wanted to have memorabilia of it. He then went and explored the rest of her house and found that even though the house could fit about four other people, she lived alone. Save for a fat cat, who meowed at the half-dog demon upon seeing him and laid on his back.
The irony…
He noticed the pictures that decorated the walls of her house. There were a couple of individuals that he recognized as the visitors that Kagome brought home a few times. Then there were others that he assumed to be family. One woman, in particular, he could almost guarantee to be her mother or aunt at least. They had similar facial structures, hair color, and eye shape and color. There was also an old man who, even in his old age, had a similar tenderness in his face that reflected onto hers. Then he guessed the smaller boy in a few pictures could be her brother or cousin. He was going to assume brother. The pictures held many different backgrounds. There were graduations, holidays, vacations, or just hanging around the shrine. He saw the younger boy grow in some of the pictures from a scrawny teenager to a young man who graduated high school. He was curious as to why there wasn't a group picture from then. Just the boy and Kagome.
Moving away from the pictures, he was already getting farther than he wanted to into her life, he continued about the house. Only to find squat. After that, he reported back to his boss that she had a bow and arrow in her closet and she lived alone with a cat. His boss was not impressed.
He couldn't say that she was completely boring though, there were a few times where she would have some company over and actually went out. Whether it be another girl in similar scrubs or one time she came out of the house in a short skirt and a revealing tank top. Inuyasha lifted his eyebrows from his black sunglasses at the chest she showed as she descended the stairs to an awaiting car below. He went and followed the car through the trees to a club in the heart of the city. He followed her and saw that she was just having a night on the town with what looked like friends.
There were a couple of guys flirt with her and there was one who managed to get her to dance with him, but it never went past a dance or two. That always tugged at his mind. Even when the soldier in him said to not ask questions, just observe and gather information to bring back to his boss. But the other part of him wondered how she was single. Sure, she was attractive. He wasn't going to deny that.
The sound of a door opening made Inuyasha come out of his thoughts. Kagome locked her door up and started down the shrine stairs. Today was Sunday so she had work.
She was just an ordinary human. Someone who was living an ordinary life.
What was so significant about her?
That same day...
Tokyo Health Clinic
"Hey, Kagome. What are you doing for lunch?" A curious voice asked from behind her chair. Kagome twisted in her swirly chair from the computer screen in front of her. She was met with Hojo, who was leaning against the doorway.
"I was just going to eat what I bought from home today, why do you ask?"
"Well," He chuckled sheepishly. "I usually go out on Fridays with a couple of people and was wondering if you wanted to join…?" Kagome smiled softly at the man.
"That's nice of you to ask, Hojo, but I need to save money and I already have food." She then turned to the waiting room, looking for anyone who might've snuck in while she was busy filing the last two patients. "I also have a lot of paperwork to finish up. I have to update some accounts and make sure all the filing is done before Felicia comes in at four." She looked back to her friend.
"I understand completely. I was just offering." He looked like he was about to turn and leave when he spoke again. "How are you doing, anyway? I understand the anniversary is coming up…." The slight seriousness in his facial features was enough of a hint to confirm what he was asking.
Kagome stiffened but put on the best smile she could. "It's been about four years and it doesn't make it any easier, but Souta and I are managing."
"You know, even after all this time, you can still come to me if you need anything." He assured; his facial expression softening for her.
"You're a good friend, Hojo." It was then that the front door to the clinic dinged, signaling that someone was coming in. "Gotta get back to work." She shrugged. Hojo chuckled.
"People to save." He assured as he turned to leave. Her smile falling as he turned away. She then caught herself and turned to the front of the clinic to see a woman walking in. Kagome looked at the clock at the bottom of her computer screen.
11:48a.m
She only had about five more hours till she was off. Kagome put on a polite smile as the woman approached the information desk.
"Hello, I have an appointment for 12." She had a quiet voice, but Kagome was able to hear her.
"Okay," She pulled up the appointments for the day on her screen. "What is your name, hon?"
"Ura Young." She said looking to the ground. Kagome looked up the name and found her for noon. She was a new patient so Kagome knew she had to have her fill out papers. Yay for more paperwork.
"Okay, you're scheduled for noon and I see you're a new patient." She opened a file next to her right leg and pulled out a premade stack of papers that were held together with a paperclip. She found a clipboard with a pen tied to the top and attached the papers and handed it to the young woman. "I just need your information. Please fill this out in the waiting room." Even though she sounded monotoned, she wasn't trying to be rude. She has said the same exact thing every time any of the doctors got new patients.
Ura nodded in acknowledgment and went to sit in a chair near the door and began to fill out the papers.
Kagome then went to work on finishing her work so she could go get a bite to eat when she heard her name being called from the back. She closed her eyes and sighed when she realized who that voice belonged to. She turned to Choe who nodded in understanding for watching the front while she was gone. Kagome exited from her screen and moved to stand and walk to the door.
"Andrew, if you try to make a pass at me while at work again I swear…" The threat died down as Kagome made her way down the hall.
When Ura knew the target was out of sight and hearing distance, she rose up and approached the other nurse.
"All done?" She asked as she looked up at the dark haired woman.
"Actually, I have a question about something." She then took out the comb that was tucked in her head to face the level of the fair-haired nurse.
"What is it?" It was then that a strange mist rose from the ground and made its way into the blonde's nose. "What is tha-" She then started shaking in her chair. It was a small shake that made her head lean back and her eyes rolled to the back of her head and closed. Ura grinned as she gathered the information from this woman's memory. She just needed the location of the file. Ha! It was a computer file.
"I just need you to give me everything you have on Kagome Higurashi."
Across from Tokyo Health Clinic
Inuyasha wasn't sure what it was, but something was different today. He picked through his memory from the beginning of the day to where he was now at six in the evening. Kagome had gone on her routine jog with the same trail. She left at about the same time and he was expecting her back any time now. He leaned nonchalantly against a building that was across from the clinic she worked at. He could see her still at her little station with her eyebrows furrowed in what appeared to be determined.
His phone buzzed from his pocket. Sighing, he reached down into the depths of his jeans and pulled out the annoying device. The screen read Letcher. He hit the green accept button and put the phone against the side of his face. Learning long ago not to put it against his sensitive ears.
"What, perv?"
"Boss wants an update soon." Miroku sighed from the other side of the phone.
"If I had anything I would gladly tell him." Inuyasha wasn't hiding the frustration in his voice. Miroku sighed.
"Why are they making you do this, again? It's been almost three months."
"How do you think I feel?" Inuyasha grunted as he folded an arm under his elbow that was holding his phone. "This girl is as normal as they come."
"And boss gave nothing else for you to look for?"
"Miroku, I probably come in to report every week and every week I've complained about how I'm watching for all things strange and supernatural and I'm getting nothing. She doesn't even have an intimidating aura. She's 110% human. No-" It was then that a scent that Inuyasha knew well brushed by his nose. What...the fuck...is she doing here?
The half-demon didn't even hear his friend question his abrupt ending as he looked up and saw a familiar short-haired woman across the street next to the entrance of the clinic.
Ura.
Something was about to happen.
"Hey, " He interrupted Mirokus sentence. "Tell the boss that Ura has made an appearance at her work."
"Ura!? What the fuck is she doing there?" Inuyasha could hear the fain slamming of metal and could picture Miroku previously having his feet on the desk and leaning his chair back to balance on the back two feet and immediately put all four legs down with this information.
"Give me a while, I'll find out."
"You know the drill, bring her back to headquarters."
"Do my best." He ends the call.
Tokyo Health Clinic
6:45 P.M
Sighing in relief, Kagome smiled as she put the last of her paperwork away. It took a little longer than she expected, but she got it done.
"Finished." She chirped as Felicia came to her computer.
"Sorry we kept you over, you know how understaffed we are."
"I totally understand, and I'm not gonna deny more hours." Kagome smiled at her friend. "Are we still on for Friday at seven?" Felicia's face lit up with excitement and mischief.
"We're so hooking you up then," Felicia smirked at her friend. "when was the last time you got laid?" Kagome sighed at her friend's nosiness.
"Are Ayumi and Yuri coming?" She hoped that the subject was going to stay changed.
"Depends on if Ayumi can get off in time and if Yuri is still mad at Sho." Kagome rolled her eyes. We're all no longer in high school anymore….
"Lovely…" She whispered as she pulled her purse from her feet. "Okay, if that's all I have to do I'm clocking out and leaving." Kagome pulled the time clock from the corner of the screen, punched in her numbers and clicked the Clock Out button. "Bye Felicia!" He said with sass as she giggled and left the clinic. Her friend chuckling and shaking her head.
The September air washed over Kagome as she stepped outside. The sky was showing a mix of white and grey; it was going to rain. Smiling, Kagome turned and made her way home. After the busy week she had, she couldn't wait to get home and cuddle with Buyo.
She felt it then. That tingling sensation that started at her lower back and made its way slowly up her spine. Biting her lips, Kagome had to control her movements. He was near.
She wasn't sure exactly who he was, but she's seen him a few times. His signature silver hair was hard to miss in the sea of dark hair. Even when he wore a hat or beanie on his head, she could always find him. She refrained from making eye contact or acknowledging his presence. Most of the time he wasn't really paying attention to her. It was strange, it was like he was following her, but not interacting with her or making it seem like he wanted to be known. What worried her was that it was like he was stalking her….but at the same time she didn't feel any threatening vibes from him.
He was a mystery indeed, but she has gotten over her fear or worry. She sees him as a type of protector. There was one time when she was out at a club with her friends that the man watched her like a hawk and if there was a guy causing her trouble she would reject them or just walk away and more than once she noticed the silver-haired man approach the bothersome creeps and they never came near her again.
Indeed a mystery.
As she neared her house she reached into her pockets to retrieve her house keys. The calming sound of the jingling of the keys and the sound of the wind picking up causing her wind chimes to clank together were welcoming sounds from her long day. Just as she unlocked her door, she felt an ominous aura surround her body. Looking around, she saw nothing out of place. The only thing suspicious would be the dropping temperature and the gathering of grey clouds, even then that was just evidence of a growing storm.
Turning back to her house, she entered and was greeted by a lazy kitty who rolled on his back demanding attention.
Present Day
Watchers Interrogation Room
October 15, 2018
"You knew that Inuyasha was following you for two months?" Kagura asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I didn't know who he was or that the sensation I was feeling was his aura, but yes." Kagome looked at the file in front of her with an ache in her heart.
His Watchers ID was always an inside joke between them. When he first joined, he had to get a buzz cut as if he were in the human military. He hated it the whole time he had short hair. He said that his ears and neck were itchy and cold for over a year and by then it had reached his shoulders. Kagome loved his long hair and always bugged him for letting her braid it or put it in a man bun.
Biting her lip, she looked back to Kagura and continued her story. "I officially met him later that night….but you know that all this didn't just happen with me. There is another part that was stirring from somewhere else…"
Over 2 years earlier….
Watchers Headquarters: Captains Office
September 3, 2016
Her captain's office was darker than usual with the blinds shut and curtains closed. Jeri demanded the audience of both her and Miroku in his office ASAP. The minute they entered the office the door was closed behind them and the newspaper was slammed on the rough, wooden desktop. Curious, Miroku looked forward to investigating.
"Local 14-year-old girl dead." Miroku mumbles the bold headlines as he then silently reads the attached article.
Furrowing her brow, Sango was able to read the first few sentences until her boss interrupts.
"This is the 4th girl to wind up like this in the last month."
Surprised, both Miroku and Sango's heads shot up to face their boss.
"According to the files that I was able to get, the timeframe from their reported abductions to their bodies being discovered is about 5 days." Jeri flipped through a couple of pages from the file he was looking at, stopped at one-page mid-turn and continued. "They all were around the ages of 11 to 14 years old with light blond hair." His eyebrows raised. "They had their blood drained premortem."
"It sounds like a vampire." Sango thinks out loud.
"That is also my guess, the mayor called me this morning and told me to deal with it."
"So you're giving the case to us?" Miroku runs a hand through his hair as he lowers his eyes back to the newspaper below him and Sango.
"Yes, the mayor is sending over a copy of all the files they have of the previous girls and of what they have up till now. According to the mortals, this case has no leads and is going nowhere. But in reality, we're looking for a serial vampire with a thirst for blood. I'm making you two the main pair for this case, but I'm also having Kouga and Ayame assist when you need them."
"Inuyasha isn't with us?" Sango raised an eyebrow at the chief.
"Takahashi's case is still ongoing. I can't give a certain time that he will return. However, this doesn't push the case to be any less important, it should be a top priority."
"This case is coming down pretty heavy from the brass, eh?" Miroku asked as he raised his head from the newspaper. Sighing, the captain ran a hand over his face.
"Let's just say I'm getting a lot of heat right now."
"Don't worry boss, we're on it." Sango smiled. "When will we have the files?"
"They should be here in a couple of hours. The mayor did give me basic information about the previous victims, why don't you go scouting around and see what you hear." Jeri moved some papers around and pulled out four small tan files with various names written on the tabs.
Handing the files to Sango, "Remember, this is a hot case and you need to be as discreet as possible."
"We understand, captain." Sango nodded as she accepted the cold folders.
"Let's get going, Sango. We have a lot to catch up on."
Authors Note:
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-Scallywag
