As I promised.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.


Target Locked

Chapter Seven


"I'm a wanted fugitive!" Kagome wailed, chopping up the carrots a little more violently than necessary. "How? I was just trying to help and now I'm stuck in a cabin –which is beautiful, by the way – making dinner for a grumpy federal agent that's known as my alias!"

"Do you think I want this?" Inuyasha growled back at her, grabbing the barbeque tongs and storming outside of the cottage.

"Do you think I want this?" Kagome mimicked, making one last violent chop before dumping the contents into a large bowl of lettuce and other vegetables.

"You're not exactly quiet you know!" Inuyasha hollered. "And I only shut the screen door."

Kagome rolled her eyes and flipped him off. He couldn't hear the wind whisk around her finger, now could he?

Inuyasha walked back in, scowling at her. "Why are you whining?"

"Because I'm not a fugitive!" Kagome snapped. She threw the knife into the sink and screamed. "I didn't do anything wrong and I'm stuck here helpless. Sango and Miroku don't even know where I am and I can't contact them."

"It will be fine," Inuyasha stated, his voice hard. He was trying to reassure her, but the watery gaze in her eyes was too much for him to handle. Obviously, he wasn't doing a very good job. "I'll find a way to tell them."

"How?" Kagome yelled, her temper finally loose.

"I DON'T KNOW!" Inuyasha's body heaved up and down, his mouth parted after screaming so loud and Kagome shut right up. She stared at him, flustered and terrified, and quickly finished the salad.

How could she have been so stupid? So whiny? She probably sounded like a wounded lap dog. The thought made her shudder. She needed to suck it up and deal with whatever pain and frustration she had on her on terms – in her mind.

"Are the steaks almost ready?" Kagome asked quietly, her gaze lowered to the kitchen counter. She was looking through drawers, trying to find the cutlery.

"I'm getting them right now," Inuyasha said. He realized his mistake instantly when the sound was rough. She jumped and caught her hand in the drawer she was slamming closed. He watched her wince and then, biting her lip, she went back to looking. "It's the drawer on the right," Inuyasha murmured softly. "The plates are in the cupboard above it."

Kagome briefly glanced his way and then shot her eyes downwards. She was avoiding looking at him. "Thanks," she mumbled, finding what she was looking for.

Inuyasha went outside and got the steaks, feeling the sun shine on him while the cool breeze made him shiver. He hated winter. How those Canadians did it, he'd never know. When he returned inside, determined to make her look at him without fear, he noticed that the table was delicately set for two, with candles lit up and the television humming softly in the background.

Kagome was in the living room that partnered the kitchen, the remote in her hands as she changed the channel to the weather. "Is this okay?" she asked hesitantly, attempting to meet his gaze. When he looked at her, her pale face, dark hair and deep brown eyes, Inuyasha wasn't sure what he felt. She was terrified, it was clear on her face. Just the churning fear he could see roll through her eyes was enough, but it was also enough to learn that the fear was not of him. For some reason, he was grateful.

"Yeah," Inuyasha said, purposely softening his voice. "It looks great. Thanks."

"Oh shit!" Kagome cursed, suddenly running into the kitchen. She ripped open the oven and with the lone cloth she found on the counter, she quickly grabbed the cooking sheet and threw it on top of the oven. "Hot," she breathed out as she retracted her hand and blew cool air on it.

"What the hell was in there?"

Kagome turned around sharply, her expression unreadable, and Inuyasha nearly smacked himself. The whole try-and-not-scare-her idea wasn't doing too well for him.

"It-it is garlic bread. With, um, cheese," Kagome managed to stutter out. "I thought, you know, meat is the steak, fruits and veggies is the salad and garlic bread for the grains."

"The food groups?" Inuyasha asked, his eyes widening. Was she serious?

The expression on her face made it evident that she was. "Well, I didn't know if you were healthy like that – or not. I just didn't want to ruin it."

Inuyasha closed his eyes and set the plate of steaks on the table. He walked over to her slowly, gauging her reaction as he neared. She wasn't scared, just worried. She wasn't certain if he was mad at her.

"Kagome," Inuyasha started slowly, inching towards her body. "For god's sake," he continued, "relax." He was now right up against her, his face tilted down towards hers. She was biting her lip again, probably trying to judge the situation. Inuyasha blew on her face lightly and watched as she frowned.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to distract you," Inuyasha murmured. "You're biting your lip and thinking too hard. I am not a healthy eater. I'm a federal agent and most of my meals are on the go."

Kagome swallowed, watching as his face inched even closer to hers. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks and her heart fluttering faster.

Did she just think fluttering? Oh god.

"Well, you're distracting me, alright," Kagome blurted out.

Inuyasha smirked as Kagome smacked her hand across her mouth. "Not like that," she mumbled into her hand.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you."

Kagome sighed and took her hand away. "Not like that, you idiot," she repeated softly. "Now the food's getting cold. Do you want the bread or not?"

Inuyasha smirked, and Kagome vaguely wondered if he was capable of a real smile. "Of course. It's my favourite."

Walking away and sitting down at the table, Inuyasha separated the food out. Two steaks for him and one for her – not that she minded. Kagome cut up the bread and went to the table, sitting down and watching Inuyasha as he already devoured half of his first steak.

"Thanks for waiting," Kagome grumbled, but happily got herself some salad.

"Did you say something?" Inuyasha asked, looking at her with wide eyes. He had absolutely no idea what she had said. The steak was probably talking to him while he ate.

Eat me...eat me...

Or something like that.

"So, Inuyasha," Kagome started uneasily. She waited until he finished chewing before continuing. "What about the townspeople around here? I mean that old woman – Tekkei? – knew we were here so what if she rats us out? I mean, we are wanted and on the television."

Inuyasha smirked and shook his head, dumping the rest of the large bowl of salad onto his plate. Thank god she had taken some beforehand because there was certainly none left now. "They won't do anything," Inuyasha assured her. "These people knew my parents and respected them. They wouldn't do a thing."

"Are you sure?" she asked, hesitantly. "I believe what you say but still... It's a big risk."

"Trust me," Inuyasha said, holding her gaze. His eyes were intense; the thought came back to her, making her remember when he was yelling at her outside of the building before it exploded. "My parents helped a lot of them. Well, my mom anyways. They wouldn't do it because they know it would be bad for them."

Kagome nodded slightly and started finishing off her salad. "What did your mom do?"

Inuyasha almost choked, he laughed so hard. She heard traced of bitterness in it and the sound didn't make her feel good. "Whatever was needed really. She was one of those people that would help anyone and everyone, no matter what. One guy tried to rob her once, and while he was running he went straight into a car. He almost died, but my mom put pressure on his head wound until paramedics arrived and saved him."

"Wow," Kagome whispered, watching his expression. He didn't seem angry, just bitter and sad. She wondered if they were really close, but decided that his mood was a roller coaster of emotions anyways. She didn't want him biting her head off for being nosy.

They ate in silence after that, Inuyasha devouring every little piece of food in front of him. He alone ate two steaks, three-quarters of a large bowl of salad and eight out of ten pieces of garlic cheese bread. Her measly one steak, one-quarter of salad and two sliced of garlic cheese bread looked like mice food in comparison.

"Where does it go?" Kagome asked, smiling when she realized that she was done but he wasn't. Although he didn't have much left.

"Where does what go?" Inuyasha mumbled between chunks of bread.

"The food," she exclaimed. "Did you see how much you ate?"

"No, but I tasted how much food I ate. It was really good." And then he went back to eating.

Was that a compliment? Kagome decided that it was...sort of. Inuyasha and the whole compliment thing were pretty difficult to put together – just like water and oil.

Inuyasha finished with a huge sigh, and lay back in his chair. "I'm full," he groaned.

"I would hope so."

Inuyasha raised a brow. "Why?"

"Well you might have eaten all the food I need for tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. I need to eat too, you know."

Again, Inuyasha sighed.

Kagome looked at the television screen, watching as the weatherman stated cooler weather on the way. "So... How about that weather?"

"Can you not just rest in silence?" Inuyasha grumbled, his eyes still shut. "I was enjoying the peace."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Here we go again."

"Again with what?" he snapped.

"Your attitude!"

"I don't have one!" Inuyasha shouted.

Kagome laughed and pointed at his angry face. "As if, you idiot. Look at yourself."

Inuyasha growled. "Feh."

The laughter almost choked her. "What did you just say?"

"I need to make a call," Inuyasha spat out and stood up, racing out of the kitchen. He was almost at the hallway, and from there he would go to his room and sit in nice silence. Stupid wench, couldn't she figure out he liked quiet? He didn't often get quiet so when he did it was something to look forward to. But a small hand, cooler than his warm skin, stopped him at the doorway. He turned around and saw Kagome's face filled with worry.

"Don't go off and be mad," she whispered. "I didn't mean to make you angry...again."

"You have that habit," Inuyasha said roughly, looking away. Goddammit she looked so vulnerable. No wonder she was one of the best reporters out there. She was beautiful, sounded intelligent and looked vulnerable. The look in her eyes never went away. She was all grown up but still just as alone as a child. Not that her body represented a child in any way...just her eyes.

"Look, I'll stop. You can go relax in the living room and I'll just clean up the kitchen, okay? I'll be quiet."

Inuyasha stared down at her, reluctant to look away. "Why do you care if I'm in the same room with you or not?"

Kagome dropped her hand like his arm burned her and lowered her eyes to the floor. "Well, you're the only person I have right now," she mumbled, her voice so low he could barely hear it. "It's not like I can go anywhere anymore and with this whole stupid thing, I can't exactly leave. I don't have a place to go for help."

Inuyasha felt like shit. Obviously, he couldn't remain on good terms with this woman for very long but she always came back. Thinking about it, she didn't have anyone. Her best friends were probably being watched, the police were everywhere and the FBI wanted both of them. He was lucky this cottage wasn't under his name but his brother's, and that his brother held the only rights. It would make looking for them harder.

"I'm not going anywhere," Inuyasha sighed. "Not yet. But I do have to make an important call. When I'm finished I'll help you clean up." He didn't let her answer, since he went down the hall and into his room, shutting the door. The number was programmed into his cell and he waited impatiently while it rang.

"Nagashima," the old toad croaked and Inuyasha grimaced.

"Jaken, it's Inuyasha. I just wanted to see if you had all the paperwork done?"

"Of course I have it done!" Jaken barked, chuckling to himself. "When are you going to pick it up?"

Inuyasha hesitated, wondering if it was a trap. Had the FBI already gotten to him? "Have you heard of anything from my superiors?"

Jaken paused on the phone. "No, why would I?"

"It doesn't matter. When's the earliest I could get the paperwork?"

"Right now, if you wanted. I was planning on leaving in a few minutes though."

"What time do you work tomorrow?"

Jaken hummed for a bit. "Seven in the morning. You want to pick it up then?"

"Yeah, I won't be able to come get it right away," Inuyasha answered.

When he hung up, the room was silent. If he was smart, he would leave now. He could drive most of the night, stay in some motel and be there right at seven in the morning to grab the paperwork. He wasn't sure how much time he had before the FBI was all over his case. He needed the information before they did. He'd also have to get what he needed from forensics too. If he left tomorrow, he'd have to leave around four in the morning. The thought really didn't appeal to him.

Leaving the room, Inuyasha walked into the kitchen and saw Kagome stacking the wet dishes in the sink. The counter was pristine and the table looked like it hadn't been touched, with the exception of the burnt out candles.

"Need any help?" Inuyasha asked, making his way over to her.

She turned and smiled at him. "Nope. I'll let these dry and fix them in the morning. What do you want to do, watch TV?"

Hesitating, knowing that she wouldn't take it well, Inuyasha spoke slowly. "I have to...leave and get some stuff before the FBI does. It will make our lives easier."

Instantly, her lips curled and he noticed that she biting them again, deep in thought. She grip tightened on the counter and then relaxed over and over again, as if she was debating the pros and cons. "How long will you be gone?"

Inuyasha winced. "All night and most of the morning. I'll probably be home before noon though."

"Noon?" Kagome asked, her voice starting to sound desperate. "What if someone finds us – me?"

"They won't, I promise," Inuyasha said softly. She looked really fragile and he wasn't sure if leaving tonight was the best option anymore.

"O-okay," Kagome stumbled, turning around and rinsing out the sink.

That was it?

"Are you sure?" Inuyasha asked, dumbfounded. He was sure that she was going to make a scene, freaking out about something or another. He wouldn't have blamed her for doing so – it just would've made his life more difficult.

Kagome nodded, trying not to do something stupid, like cry. She knew that she was just mentally breaking down. She was alone now, and she couldn't do anything about it. Worst of all, Inuyasha was brought down with her. She had to suck it up and stop being a baby. If he had a job to do, he would have to do it. She couldn't stop him since it would just make things worse. Kagome had no one, but if she at least tried to understand him, maybe she'd have one person willingly on her side through the whole ordeal.

"Are you really, really sure?" he probed.

Kagome laughed slightly and turned to face him. "Yeah, I'm sure. You have work to do. I'm just not comfortable being in a strange place alone, but I'll deal."

Inuyasha never thought of it that way. "Really?"

Kagome sighed. "Just go." She turned away from him and went to the living room. He listened as the channels were changing, the different choppy noises as she flipped from channel to channel. "I'll be fine!" she called out, realizing that he hadn't moved.

Inuyasha went back to his room, his head spinning in confusion about the woman in his living room. He changed into different clothes and grabbed his car keys. He followed the hallway down to the front room and put on his shoes. Just as he was at the door, the choppy channel changing noise stopped.

Please don't leave me! The sound stopped him. Was that her or the TV? He thought about it for a moment, listening as the deep music lulled and then finally, a deep booming noise answered.

"The TV, thank god," Inuyasha murmured. He wasn't sure if he could leave her if she said that. What the hell was this woman doing to him? He turned the door knob.

But I love you! Only you! If you go, surely my heart would break!

Inuyasha slid out of his shoes, threw the keys on the little table beside the door and rushed to the living room. Only when he entered the kitchen did he slow down, sauntering casually into the room that Kagome lay in. She was sprawled out on the couch, her head tilted so that she could watch the television. The throw-blanket covered her and while her makeup was a bit runny and her hair a little too wild, she looked absolutely, down-right sexy.

He should have left.

"Aren't you going?" Kagome asked, raising a brow at him. "I was just getting comfortable."

"Good," Inuyasha said, not answering her question but rather her statement.

"Did you even hear me?" she asked, raising her head to look at him as he sat down on the recliner beside the couch.

"What are we watching?" Inuyasha asked, putting his hands behind his head.

"The Blind and the Wicked," Kagome answered, the smile growing on her face.

Inuyasha cursed, not at the soap opera, but himself. He really, really should have left.


The woman watched from the window, her body perched delicately on a tree branch as the cold wind brushed through her. So that's where they were hiding out. She had followed them, and it hadn't been an easy task. That FBI agent was reckless on the road, not to mention a first class speeder. She had fallen behind quite a few times, trying to make sure that he didn't notice her car and that she didn't get pulled over by police. When they stopped in the small town, she watched as Kagome Higurashi, her target, shopped. The FBI agent, an Inuyasha Taisho, had gone to get groceries. It didn't take either of them long, and she remembered how she ducked her head so fast when Inuyasha's gaze moved over her car. It had been damn close.

The breeze bit at her again, and she clamped her mouth shut. She would go find a place to stay. Her boss had made it clear that she didn't want Kagome killed – yet. She would watch the car to make sure it didn't leave the driveway, and occasionally she would check through the windows, but there was no reason to continue to watch them bicker.

They were like a fucking old married couple.


The Panther Gang, although ruthless, were not the smartest bunch of people around. They were a group of four: Toran (the leader), Karan, Shunran and the only male, Shuran. Together, they created the most deadly gang out in Coral. It was their place, and no one dared to take it from them.

Despite the fact that they killed without mercy, when it came to planning a death, they were stumped. Kagome Higurashi, that stupid famous reporter for RCN News, had outted them. They thought they had broken all of their ties, but obviously, that bastard Naraku had given them away to cut a deal. Asshole. They would have to kill him too.

But in the meanwhile, they needed to silence the reporter, in case she spoke about them again. They had planted the bomb in her purse, waiting until she was in her car or in a building orwhatever so she could blow herself up. But of course, as fate would have it, she would forget her fucking purse and then blow up a police building. See? Life didn't get any easier.

"We need to kill her!" Toran shouted, looking around the room. "What are we going to do?"

"I think we need to figure out where she is first," Karan snapped, rolling her eyes at Toran.

"Are you suffering from PMS again, Toran?" Shuran asked, his deep voice startling all three women in the room with him.

"Fuck my life," Toran sighed.


Bankotsu Takeshi looked around the room. His brothers sat around a large table, with him sitting at the head. All of them were well dressed, and although they were "brothers", none of them looked the same.

"My source," Bankotsu started slowly, "tells me that Higurashi is staying at a cottage with FBI Special Agent Inuyasha Taisho."

"So we kill them both!" the stockier brother, Ginkotsu announced. Bankotsu watched the greed and blood-lust in his eyes.

"No," Jakotsu disagreed, shaking his head. "We can't kill them both. It will look too suspicious. And having the charge of an FBI agent up our asses is the last thing we want. Besides, he's hot."

The brothers chose to ignore the last statement.

"So we kill the girl," Bankotsu concluded, looking for any signs of hesitation around the room. When he found none, he slapped his hand down on the table. "Tomorrow morning we'll send the boys to get her. Since she's with the agent, we'll make it look like a lover's spat went wrong. Apparently, he's already being accused. Why not add to the fire and put another murder charge on his head?"

The brothers laughed and grinned wickedly at themselves.


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