Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own Inuyasha.

Chapter 3 – Meanwhile . . .

-- Inuyasha and Izayoi --

Inuyasha was livid after Sango called to let him know what had happened to Kagome. He turned to Kikyo with an apologetic look on his face and explained, "Sorry, babe. I have to take you back to school and go pick up my mom to meet my family at the hospital."

"I understand. Is there anything I can do?" She asked.

"Just pray Kagome's going to be alright," he requested. "I have to call Mom and try to call Dad and Sesshomaru." As they walked back to the car, he tried to call his dad and brother but had no luck. The operator at the Western Lands Technology building would only tell him that they were in a meeting and could not be disturbed. He and Kikyo got into his truck. He had dialed Izayoi just before he stared the engine of the truck and put it into gear when she picked up on the second ring.

"What do you need . . ." Izayoi asked joking with her son who never calls her unless he wants something before he cut her greeting short.

"Mom," he said in a serious tone, "I'm coming to pick you up. Kagome got attacked at school during lunch."

"WHAT!?!" She screamed trying not to pass out at the shocking news.

"I tried calling Dad and Sessh, but the receptionist won't interrupt their meeting," Inuyasha said as he pulled up in front of the school to drop off Kikyo. She leaned over and kissed him on his cheek before exiting. As soon as she shut the door, he sped off to pick up his mom. He didn't hear anything on his mother's end of the phone. "Mom, are you alright?"

"Yes, son," she said in a shaky voice. He knew she was on the verge of crying. "I'll get through to your father. Where's Kagome?"

"Rin told Sango they were taking her to Shikon General," he said. "I'm almost home Mom."

"I'll be waiting outside," she told Inuyasha and disconnected the phone call. She immediately dialed her husband's private office number.

--Western Lands Technologies Executive Conference Room --

". . . not only will our merger increase employee moral and production, it will increase the profit margin for the next quarter as well," Sesshomaru explained the projections for the pending company merger. The lights were turned on revealing the pleased faces of several men in business suits. Among those faces was Naraku who was nodding in approval of Sesshomaru's presentation. "So, are there any questions?" Sesshomaru inquired. Just then, the conference room phone rang.

Inu gave a sheepish smile as he apologized, "Please, forgive me gentlemen. I have to get this call. My "boss" is the only one with the number, so, this means it's an emergency." All the men chuckled, knowing that by his "boss", he meant his mate.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes at his father's comment. He felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Naraku who said, "I'm going to take this opportunity to check my phone messages." Sesshomaru nodded and Naraku stepped outside the room. Sesshomaru decoded to check his cell as well – 25 missed consecutive calls from Kagura from yesterday—he rolled his eyes. Five missed consecutive calls from Inuyasha today—he did not like the feeling that was beginning to overwhelm his instincts. 'Inuyasha never calls me without leaving a message. Something's wrong,' he deduced.

Inu picked up the receiver and answered, "Yes, dear," his tone changed when he heard her crying, "Calm down, love. What's wrong?" This caught Sesshomaru's attention and he was now focusing on his father's call so he could hear their conversation.

Izayoi tried to quiet her stressed voice, "We have to get to Shikon General. Kagome's been hurt." Both Inu's and Sesshomaru's eyes widened in shock. "Inuyasha is driving up to the house right now. We'll meet you there." With that said, she hung up the phone, got into the truck and headed to the hospital with her son.

Sesshomaru's beast whimpered at the words he heard and struggled against the short chain Sesshomaru kept on him. The information his mother supplied enforced the feeling he had. All that mattered was that he needed to be with Kagome comforting her. He took a deep breath to calm his beast telling him that panicking would not help her. His beast listened to his master, curled up and laid down impatiently flicking his tail back and forth.

Inu hung up the phone, stood up and bowed to his future business partners, "Please, forgive us gentlemen, but Sesshomaru and I must leave due to a family emergency. I'll have my assistant call you later to schedule a question and answer meeting for our merger." Sesshomaru bowed to the men as he and his father left the conference room to the parking garage. On their way there, they ran into Naraku who was in the process of leaving a message for them with Inu's secretary.

"Oh good, I can tell you in person," Naraku stated, "It seems my sister has gotten herself into a little trouble. I have to go bail her out of jail."

Sesshomaru didn't seem to be shocked by this statement. He merely told Naraku, "Doesn't surprise me. Kagome's in the hospital, and I'm fairly sure Kagura is at fault."

A forced look of sympathy flashed across his face before he said, "Then I will follow you to the hospital to check on Kagome's status if you don't mind." He added with a slight malicious smile, "I think it would be good for Kagura to stew in jail for a while and ponder her ill begotten actions."

They got into their vehicles and drove to the hospital. What Naraku had stated did not sit well with Sesshomaru, 'What are your true intentions, Naraku?' His inner beast growled at the thought of Naraku being anywhere near Kagome. 'I'm in total agreement with you,' he told his beast.