A/N: Hello! Ok Super glad for those who read, follow, fav and review!
Only minor changes to this chapter in a P.O.V. change.
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the manga/anime characters.
However any original characters in this fic belong to me.
Anyone thinking or a far off conversation
Inuyahsa's demon side
Inuyasha's human side
Chapter Four: The truth can wait...
In a reluctant manner the women followed Miroku as he weaved and flirted his way through the crowd. Every time he would make a girl giggle Sango would make a gagging noise and Kagome would roll her eyes at her friend. Sango may not have wanted to admit it but she liked Miroku and was upset that he turned out to be pervy. Kagome sighed as they walked along. She couldn't really blame San for being upset, if Kagome had high hopes for a guy that where so dashed she'd act childish too.
Miroku continued walking ahead of them, if he noticed the exchanges the women behind him were having he never showed it. He stopped in front of a door marked 'Employees Only' with a security pad next to the frame. Kagome watched extremely interested in the strange pad, she didn't know what kind of code it would use, there was no key pad or print scanner but it did seem to be able to scan something. Unlike how most people would try to shield the pad and what they used to unlock it, Miroku stood in a position that if the other two wanted to watch then they could. Of course they both did and neither could understand what they were seeing.
At the tip of the dark-haired man's finger a small blue light developed before being drawn into the security pad. There was a beep then an unlocking click signalling them that the door was open. Miroku pushed the door open and ushered the girls inside quickly before shutting the door and doing the same thing to a pad on the side they now stood on.
"Can't ever be to careful." Miroku said flashing them a brilliant smile.
"What's your boss so worried about that he needs security like that?" Sango said, her voice dripping with annoyance and suspicion.
"If you ran a night club underneath investment corps that handle millions of other people's money wouldn't you want the best security as well?" His smile never falter as he stepped between the girls and lead them up the stairs.
Agitated that he had actually made a good point about the security Sango reluctantly followed. Kagome hid her amused smile behind her hand and followed as well. The staircase was relatively short and soon they had made their way down an equally short hallway to stand in front of a blood-red door with a black door knob.
"Inviting." Sango mumbled looking at the door in front of her.
"The boss isn't an inviting person." Miroku said very matter-of-factly opening the door.
"He invited me." The words slipped out of Kagome's mouth before she really thought about them. She was so engrossed with looking around the room behind the door that she didn't realize she had spoken.
Miroku studied the woman who was now curiously looking around his friend's office. "She's important." That's what Inuyasha had said...No, not Inuyasha but Inu's demon! But what was so important about this ordinary seeming woman.
"Is everything alright?" Kagome's soft worried voice broke through Miroku's train of thought. He looked at the women staring at him one had blue eyes filled with worry, the other had brown filled with unconcealed rage.
Miroku gulped audibly as he turned his gaze from Sango back to Kagome plastering on his best smile. "Yes, everything is alright. Thank you for asking. You're right, you were invited so please let me know if there is anything you want brought up."
Kagome looked over to Sango who was standing as if there were nails under her feet. She was unhappy about coming up here, Kagome knew that. "How's about some drinks and food?"
"Alright, anything special?"
"Yes." Sango said smiling as she sat down on the gold couch Inuyasha had flipped Miroku from earlier that evening. "We would like a bottle of your boss's best warm sake and oden."
Kagome's eyes lit up at the name of her favorite food even though it would be a bit heavy for drinking. Sango might not have been happy but she was definitely going to enjoy making Miroku's time taking care of them hell.
The basement under the club floor hummed with gentle vibrations from the music above. Even so Inuyasha didn't feel the need to have his ears tucked down, it was a very uncomfortable way to have to walk around. The main path through the basement made a straight forward trip to get from the stairs to Shippou's screen room.
Inuyasha had let Rin fix up the basement so that the members of his gang would have somewhere to hang between shifts, before meetings, or when some just didn't want to bother going home. To the left was a full kitchen including two always stocked refrigerators, past the kitchen was a small hall that had restrooms set up like the ones in the club. On the right side was half a training area and the other half set up in a living room style area which included a large black sectional, coffee table, four large lazy-boys and a variety of game chairs and bean bags with the biggest flat screen he could find on the center wall. Down the hall that shot off the living room area was four bedrooms. It wasn't much but it meant that if a few of his members needed a place to crash, they had one.
In front of him was a normal door but once you opened the door you stepped into a technology-nerds heaven. There in the middle of it all sat the young fox demon that had been in Inuyasha's care for most of the kit's young life.
"Got the message, Runt. Wha'cha got for me?" Inu sat plopping down in the chair next to Shippou.
"Nice to see you too." Shippou grumbled typing away as the information began popping up on the screens.
"Keh." The hanyou said as he leaned forward studying the images that popped up.
"You gonna tell me why the hell I had to dig up all this information?" The kit asked unwrapping a sucker and popping it in his mouth.
"You're gonna rot your fucking teeth out eating that shit. I thought you out grew all that candy." Even though his eyes never left the screen he could feel Shippou staring at him, studying his face for some kind of an answer.
"Yea, well, I don't know. I guess I'd rather eat fucking sweets to deal with my issues unlike the bad habits some demons I know pick up." There was anger in his voice and he didn't bother hiding it from Inuyasha. The half dog demon had been his father for more years than he wanted to count so there was no reason to try to hide anything from him.
It was far from subtle and Inu could take a hint. "If you have something to say just get the fuck on with it, Runt. There ain't a need for this bullshit." He looked at the teen bonking him on the head.
"OW! Do you have to hit so hard! I'm not a kit anymore!" Shippou wailed at his father figure.
"Could have fooled me with the games you're playing at." Inuyasha looked back at all the dots on the screen while the fox next to him rubbed his head. "Either talk about what's buggin' you or let's get back to work."
With a sigh Shippou nodded his head and pulled out his keyboard. He wanted to talk about whatever it was that he been bothering Inuyasha for the last year but he still couldn't figure a way to approach the subject. So work was the better option, plus he was curious about the instructions he had been given earlier that evening.
"Good choice. Alright, start with the first place we intercepted Naraku's puppets." Inuyasha watched as a dot near the warehouse district changed color. He nodded, it was just like he thought Naraku had started close to his territory. "Now I want them connected in order." Slowly dots lit up with lines connecting them, first in a large circle then smaller circles connected with lines reconnecting to previous dots from Naraku's reappearance in certain areas.
After about fifteen minutes of Shippou claws clacking against the keys every dot was connected. Just as Inuyasha had thought the patterned ended up looking like a spider web with a ten block center that Naraku had not done business in. The center was filled with businesses much like the one Sesshomaru had on top of the club. Design corps, investment corps, T.V. headquarters, phone headquarters, most in multi-story buildings with multiple businesses inside.
"Whatever Naraku's merging into it will be there. I want all you can get on the area." Inuyasha said as he stood up. "But for tonight I want all you can find on a woman named Kagome Higurashi."
Shippou looked up at his boss not even bothering to hide the surprise in his bright green eyes. "Anything specific you want me to look for?" He asked keeping his voice even.
Silver hair shook back and forth before Inuyasha ran his hand through his bangs. "I'm not sure myself. So just get what you can then head home. Rin's gonna be pissed enough that I had you out this late the way it is."
"She's not my mom, I don't know why she cares so much." Shippou grumbled turning back to his screens. The low growl behind him let him know he had over stepped his bounds and he lowered his head and tail before turning back around.
Inuyasha looked down at the kit and his growling stopped seeing Shippou submit the way he should. "She is your Aunt, your family and you know that." Orange hair bobbed up and down in a nod. The older demon sighed and bent down in front of the younger demon, "I know it's hard to see but you have family. Rin looks at you as her nephew and just wants the best for you. Now, find what you can on Kagome then head home, you have the day off tomorrow for homework." Inuyasha ruffled the boy's head then rose and left.
Shippou watched him leave. He knew Inuyasha had a point, Rin was only looking out for him like family would. It was no secret that she didn't like Shippou's involvement in the gang but she didn't fight Inuyasha or Sesshomaru about it. Shippou was searching for revenge and Inuyasha was not about to stop him. No, his adopted father had set up this computer system and all the others before it, so Shippou could search for the ones who murdered his parents. He took the sucker out of his mouth and threw it in the trashcan near his desk. His claws tapped in the name Kagome Higurashi and for the third time in less than ten minutes he wondered what this woman's connection was to Inuyasha.
Staring out the glass window Kagome watched the club pulse below as Sango bickered with Miroku on the couch behind her. Even if she wouldn't admit it Sango was still attracted to him and was having more fun than she'd let him know.
"How did the evening turn out so strange? All I had wanted was to draw his eyes so I could see him outside of my mind. That wish came true in ways I couldn't have imagined."
Kagome had only seen him with his hood and jacket on that night. Yes, she had known he had silver hair, his bangs gave that away but it was different seeing how long it was. It flowed around him showing just how unhuman he was. The sleeves from his jacket had hidden the muscles on his arms but she had laid against his chest and knew the muscles were equally impressive.
"The benefits of demon blood, I guess. I'm willing to bet he hardly has to work out."
The sharp sound of skin connecting with skin filled the room suddenly causing her to jump. Kagome turned around to see Miroku looking up at Sango from his new spot in the floor. He was sporting a bright red cheek and a goofy grin. Sango on the other hand was standing over him, her brown eyes burning as she stared at him.
"What happened, San?" Kagome asked walking over to her friend, she figured for Miroku's health she should try to move Sango away.
"That...That...PERVERT groped my boob when he thought I wasn't paying attention!" Sango was screaming, pushing against Kagome as she sent him death glares.
"MIROKU!" Kagome shouted glaring over her shoulder. "I should let her go but she would shred you like cheese for pizza. Plus didn't your boss say hands off?" Kagome could have sworn Miroku paled a shade or two before he regained his composer enough to stand.
"That command was specific to you, Ms. Kagome." He replied coolly, adjusting his shirt.
Sango stopped struggling and looked at Kagome as if she knew the answer, which of course she didn't. But before Kagome could say anything the sound of a throat being cleared drew their attention to the open door.
"That command was extended to Sango as well, Miroku." You could have sworn the temperature in the room dropped at the tone of Inuyasha's voice.
"I-I'm sorry, Boss. I truly thought that my guest was exempt given the second statement you had made." Miroku kept himself a fair distance from his boss and the two women noticed.
Kagome turned to watch Inuyasha as he stepped into his office. He was just as handsome as she had remembered. A smile grew on her lips as he turned to shut the door. His hair swept down his back shimmering in the light, but she didn't think he'd like her saying that out loud. He looked good in the bright red shirt he was wearing, it was definitely his color showing off his tan skin. His black jeans might have been loose around his legs but they hugged his butt enough no imagination was needed to know it was a nice one. After the door clicked shut she saw his shoulders heave in a sigh and when he turned back around the movent on top of his head trapped her breath in her throat before Kagome accidentally squealed with delight.
"YOU HAVE THE CUTEST EARS!" Kagome said letting go of Sango who took the opportunity to pounce on Miroku. A fairly impressive sight given the dress she was wearing but Kagome couldn't spare them more than a glance. Miroku deserved a few good hits if you asked her.
"Damn it, Wench!" Inuyasha said as his ears flattened back against his head. "Don't be so fucking loud."
Kagome tucked her lips in and blushed as his golden gaze blazed at her. "I'm sorry. I just wasn't expecting you to have such adorable ears."
"Keh, my ears ain't adorable, Wench."
When he called her wench again Kagome was sure she had seen red. The first time, understandable, she had been a bit loud and obviously it hurt his ears but the second time he was just being a jerk.
"My name is not WENCH!" Her teeth hurt from clamping tightly so she wouldn't scream.
Inuyasha surprised Kagome by grabbing around her waist and pulling her close so that his lips were next to her ear. "Yea, I remember. Your name is Ka-go-me."
His warm breath caressed the skin of Kagome's ear and neck with every syllable of her name. A small shudder ran down her spine as she felt his nose millimeters from her skin while he trailed warm breath down the side of her neck towards her shoulder. Kagome couldn't move, she knew she should. Even though demons had different customs this was being way to familiar for how little they knew each other. But Kagome just couldn't bring herself to push him away.
"Um, Boss?" Miroku asked. Him and Sango were still on the floor staring at the two in front of them. Inuyasha had his arm wrapped tightly around Kagome's waist and was trailing his face farther down her neck. Kagome was standing, unmoving with her hand gripping the front of his shirt tightly. Inuyasha made no move to stop after Miroku called to him.
"What the hell is he doing?" Sango asked Miroku trying not to panic. As a demon slayer she had an idea and that wouldn't be good. "Stop him! NOW!" Sango shouted getting off of Miroku before yanking him to his feet.
"Boss?" Miroku took a step closer but received an annoyed growl from the distracted hanyou. "Inuyasha?" He tried again but saw the arm around Kagome's waist tighten. "INUYASHA!" Miroku shouted, this time he saw the half demon sigh before he released Kagome. She stumbled a little like her legs weren't working and Inuyasha steadied her with a hand on her arm.
"What do you think you're doing?" Sango asked with her hand secured to her hips as she stared at the couple in front of her.
Kagome and Inuyasha weren't sure which one of them she was addressing and Kagome felt just about as clueless as Sango was.
"Sorry, San. I don't know what came over me." Kagome said as a small blush grazed her cheeks. She stepped away from Inuyasha to go back to her friend.
Inuyasha smirked at the blush that now stained Kagome's face. He knew what came over him. His fucking demon. Not enough to hurt anyone but enough to make him do something he wouldn't have done other wise.
That's 'cause you're to weak to take what's our's
She's not fucking our's and you can't just go around claiming humans 'cause you want to. Shit doesn't work like that now!
Think what you want
Even with his internal debate his smirk didn't fade and that drew the attention of his second. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at Miroku and shook his head. Now was definitely not the time, he had questions to ask Kagome and those questions had nothing to do with his demon inside.
"Can you two have a seat? I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Inuyasha's gaze lingered on Kagome as she smiled at him.
"Did you get your club business taken care of?" Sango asked, a little bite in her voice as she walked Kagome farther into the room to sit in the two chairs. Across from them Miroku and Inuyasha sat on the couch. Inuyasha propped his feet on the coffee table looking pointedly at Miroku.
"Yes. Everything is sorting itself out." It was a general reply but Miroku could read between the lines. Inuyasha had found out some of what he was looking for and that could be great news.
"You said that you wanted to talk and I'm glad you do, but..." Kagome started with a smile but soon that faded and she looked nervously at Sango. Sango wasn't sure what Kagome was going to say so she shrugged to her friend knowing it wasn't much help. "will you please tell me what happened to the man we were talking to earlier."
He couldn't stop his reaction but he probably wouldn't have anyways. His eyes narrowed and a warning growl escaped his lips. Inuyasha was surprised when Kagome lowered her eyes from him before a soft please came from her lips. Inuyasha didn't think she had really understood his growl but her reaction said something completely different.
"He is fine. I only had him escorted out and barred. Like I said, I don't allow cops in my club." Inuyasha said in a business as always tone.
Kagome looked up smiling just as brightly as ever. Inuyasha's gut twisted.
Was that fucking man so important to her?
He was about to say something but Sango beat him to the punch. She narrowed her eyes at him and he couldn't help but laugh internally at the spitfire Miroku had picked this time.
"We're suppose to trust that? Why don't you want cops in here? Got something to hide?" Sango looked at Inuyasha who seemed to be unfazed by her accusations. When she looked at Miroku he flashed her the same smile he had given her in the coffee shop but she'd be damned if he saw how much she liked it now.
"Sango, don't be rude." Kagome said gently as her hand rested on her friend's arm.
Sango looked in to Kagome's pleading blue eyes. She had put together that this guy had saved Kagome but he was clearly a bad guy. Why couldn't Kagome see that? "I don't know why you trust him. You don't even know him! I get what he did for you, I do but-"
Kagome held her hand up stopping Sango's rant. "No, San, you don't get it. I was never able to tell you the whole story." She risked a glance at Inuyasha, he was sitting totally relaxed against the sofa that matched his golden eyes. Those eyes studied her curiously as if the whole story interested him too.
Miroku looked at everyone else in the room not understanding what a woman like Kagome's story would have to do with his friend.
"How much did you keep to yourself, Kagome?" Sango asked almost scared to find out the hurt her friend had hidden.
"Does this involve Inuyasha?" Miroku asked in a careful voice not wanting to anger said half demon sitting next to him.
All eyes were on Kagome but her eyes were far away as the memories she tried to bury most roared to the front of her mind. "It was a year ago today..."
A/N: Yea, I had to. Don't hate me most know where the story is heading but I plan on giving the unknown part of the story that's Kagome's view from before Inuyasha showed up and a little after he left her. SO just hang on 'cause I've already started it.
I want to say Thank You and You Rock to everyone who fav'ed, followed, and/or reviewed! Y'all are really the reason I keep going! Next one soon I promise!