Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I do not profit from this story.


How to Kill Me

Chapter Seven: Big Boy Words


"The state I'm in, a place I've never been, I'm dying to meet you in Hell. Come break this skin, I'll let you sink right in and show you everything. See you in Hell. We'll gather around the fire and I will lead the choir. Sing farewell. See you in Hell."

-Hell, Foo Fighters.


So you're probably wondering how my drunk ass managed to make it from horny to suicidal in minutes. If you figure it out, let me know, would you?

I couldn't exactly tell you when I sobered up, because between the depressing memories and my new resolve with Inuyasha, I don't really know when it occurred. All I remember is lying in bed for a while, watching the unmoving ceiling while Inuyasha blow dried his hair. We made the plan to fix up his IDs secretly without Sango and Miroku's help (if possible), and then come back up here and look for another job. When we found one, we were going to leave.

A part of me felt horrible, because this is not how I wanted things to be with Sango and Miroku. Being my best friends in the entire world, which is the only link to the world that I've got, I would never want to hurt them or cause them pain in any way. From what they told me, it was impossible to do so. I couldn't ask for one of them to come with me because I knew without a doubt that they would go crazy without each other. I could picture it now:

With Sango we would be in the middle of a battle and suddenly she would start swearing and killing demons like crazy because she forgot to tell Miroku how to turn on the stove and then she would fret that he was starving to death and then she would freak because she imagined another woman feeding his poor starving body and then she'd go on and on about it forever because, well, just because.

With Miroku we would be resting in a motel and he would ask me to have his children. I would then smack him and send him back to Sango because she is the only woman I know that has tolerated him for so long thus far.

Okay, so they didn't trust Inuyasha, and I knew that that was the problem at the heart of all this. They probably thought I was just so lonely and insane I invited a half-demon to stay with me so that I wasn't so isolated anymore.

I'm pretty sure that was one of the main reasons I kept him around in the first place, but we won't tell them that.

Besides, this will blow over eventually. Once they realize I'm still breathing and active after a week, there won't be any more problems. Inuyasha and I just had to figure out where to go to next.

While waiting for the pictures to process and the various identification cards to print out, Inuyasha and I mauled over current newspapers and international news websites. It wasn't long before we found a hit.

"Read this," I urged, shoving the newspaper underneath Inuyasha's eyes. "What do you think?"

Scanning over the story, Inuyasha shrugged. "Couple missing for five days after mountain hike through the Appalachian trail near Hightower Gap... I don't know. They could've just run away or did some other stupid love shit."

I rolled my eyes. Charming. "Keep reading, Romeo."

I watched as his eyed widened. "Five others have been reported missing from there in the course of a year. The same trail too. They all started at Springer Mountain... Someone's under arrest though," he added, looking at me.

I shrugged. "Innocent people get arrested all the time. You can't explain demons, so how else are you going to do it?"

Inuyasha shrugged and kept reading. "Georgia? You've got to be kidding me." I mimicked him by shrugging nonchalantly and he groaned. "No, wench. No."

"Too damn bad dog boy. Buckle up. It's going to be a long twenty hours." I grinned wickedly, finally feeling a bit better after my little depression spell. Now all we had to do was figure out a way to talk to Heaven.

Yeah. Thanks for the luck, assholes.


INUYASHA


Inuyasha watched Kagome carefully as they headed out towards the bar, trying to get any read of her emotions. It was difficult to say the least. The demon hunter was by far the most complicated and annoying wench he had ever met – and he had met a few in his lifetime. Since he had met her she had been hard, tough and undeniably difficult. She chewed him out when she wanted to. She responded sarcastically at will. She even shot him, the bitch.

All in all, he kind of liked her. She was spunkier than the last priestess he had used, not that that went well in any way.

The problem was that he really needed Sango and Miroku on his side of the picture. He needed them to like him or at least accept him enough to speak freely with him and Kagome. Winning Kagome over had been easier than he had originally thought, and it hadn't been until this morning when they walked in the kitchen on the pair that he figured it out.

Their words rang perfectly through his mind, his excellent hearing a blessing.

"You know why she's doing this, don't you?" Sango had asked Miroku in a hushed voice. She sounded really upset, more than her words were insinuating. "She's all alone all the time. She can never see her family – hell, that's not even a possibility – and she's never with friends like us."

"What? You think she's with his half-demon to solve her loneliness issues?" Miroku asked. "I'm not sure Sango. Kagome's really strong. I know it's not exactly any sort of proper life, but I don't think she's that desperate."

"Miroku, she's taking on a half-demon to be her apprentice. Did you not see how quickly she changed the subject when we tried asking the moment she got here? She doesn't even know the reason herself."

"Maybe there's more to it," Miroku reasoned, though Inuyasha could tell from his voice that he didn't really think there was himself.

So the wench was lonely – that just made his life a million times easier to get what he wanted. However, he needed her in touch with friends so that word didn't get out he was a bad guy and they had more problems from other hunters than he could deal with. No, Kagome needed to make nice-nice with her friends, at least for now.

"Give me the bag," Inuyasha said suddenly, looking over at Kagome's solid face. "I'll carry it. You've done enough." I sound like a fucking puppy.

"Um, sure," Kagome murmured, glaring at him shrewdly before handing him the duffel. She was smart, he'd give her that.

The moment they walked into the kitchen, he rushed. He ran through it, passing Sango with a quick smirk before going through the bar, carefully making sure not to come into contact with any of the holy-powered freaks. He couldn't wait until he could destroy them all.

Kagome had to talk to Sango now, especially since the best friend knew they were leaving. He waited by the Corvette, trying to be patient and invisible in the darkness. Twenty minutes later, Kagome came out with a grin.

"You bastard," she quipped, smacking him on the shoulder. "I should've known you'd never do anything nice for me without a reason."

Inuyasha made his eyes big and tilted his head. He knew the puppy dog look would be more complete with the view of his ears, but like hell that was going to happen. "What are you talking about?" he asked innocently.

Kagome rolled her eyes and popped the trunk, letting him throw the duffel in. Before she shut it, Kagome reached inside the zipper and pulled out a fair sized black box, all of which contained Inuyasha's new fake IDs. "We keep these in the front in case of emergencies," she started, finally leaving the back and getting in the driver's side. She lifted the middle console and produced the secret hiding spot, dumping all of the contents inside.

"Welcome to a life of fraud."

Inuyasha smirked. "Glad to be here."

And he was. He was just another step closer to his goal.


Getting to Georgia was a lot like dying.

It took a fucking long time, it seemed endless and it wasn't until you finally got there that you went "shit, all of that for nothing?" Well, that's what it felt like.

Inuyasha and I had left really late on the Sunday night from the Boomerang's, and thanks to Inuyasha's not so smooth move, I managed to make a deal with Sango to be back in five days to start all over again – this time, with no thoughts of demonic possession. In a way, this was good, because that meant I could work off steam, forget about my past and work with Inuyasha while killing a demonic son of a bitch. By noon on Monday I had to stop, and Inuyasha and I got a motel room where I slept for a good nine hours before Inuyasha threw a pillow at my head to tell me to get my lazy ass out of bed. From that point, we had only about five hours left to go and we drove all the way into the Georgia limits before pulling over at two am for yet another motel. We needed to start fresh for our new job, and I figured I would need all the sleep I could get to deal with my half-demon companion and all of his stupid questions.

Right now, we only had come up with one solid demon type – a Tengu from Japanese demonology. They are mountainous demons, but in all honesty, any kind of demon – whether it's one of madness or disease or death – can live anywhere it wants.

So that really helped.

"I'm sorry to ask this," I started, looking at Inuyasha, "but do you know how to get a room?"

"Are you fucking me?"

I snorted. "I sincerely hope not."

It took a moment for Inuyasha to understand exactly what he said, and instantly he pressed his lips together in a tight line. He nodded twice and then looked out the window of the Corvette, even though we were already parked at some roadside motel and not going anywhere.

"Do you want to get us one?" I asked and I intentionally forced my words to come out slow, just to piss him off.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Fine. Whatever. Cash?"

I frowned and shook my head. "No way. Have I not taught you yet? Oh wait..." I rushed to the trunk, popping the lid and searching through my duffel bag for some of Miroku's old credit cards. There were tons of applications that I put in to cover what I had taken from him. "Here you go. Just make sure to know the name before you hand it to the guy, and sign that name."

"It's not rocket science, wench," Inuyasha spat. "I'll figure it out."

"Whatever dog boy," I called back and smiled. He was too much fun to bother. Soon, it was going to be unhealthy.

The night had gone by somewhat uneventful. Inuyasha and I both settled into our respectful queen beds, and after we both had finished showering (me first because I said so), I gave my half-demon companion a pointed look when he walked out in nothing but a towel around his waist. "What are you doing?"

Inuyasha smirked wickedly at me. "Don't get pissy. I left my clothes in here." When I saw him pick up the same pair of jeans I'd seen him wear since...forever, I started to get a little worried. I watched as he attempted to put them on, and then I saw it.

'It' being a perfect round hole in his jeans in the thigh area.

"For the love of god," I murmured, shaking my head. How the hell had I not noticed after all this time? "You only have one pair of jeans?"

"I'm sure we've gone over this before, but is using you-know-who's name in vain a good idea Miss Holy Powers?" Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at me, the amber standing out in stark contrast to his dark black hair. I still was on the fence on which colour I liked better, but that was off topic. I guess when I didn't give him an answer but only fascinated looks at his face, he continued. "Yeah, only one pair. Why?" He held up his t-shirt too and I almost gagged. The same sleeveless tank. Oh. Dear. God.

Inuyasha's harsh words cut through my moment of mental slapping. I should not be fascinated by his looks. No. I desperately needed to find a bar and have a good time. Desperately. "Look. I know I'm just as sexy with black hair but seriously, I would rather you didn't look while I was changing."

I laughed uneasily, realizing how stupid I must look. From fascinated to confused to frustrated – not exactly a stable mood. I decided that I needed to start paying better attention. Staring at his jeans, he was shuffling in just a towel and trying to put them. He was struggling a bit with his damp body and dripping black hair... "Why? Is it that embarrassing?" Yeah. Getting laid was by far topping my to-do list.

"Bitch."

"Oh. Now we're using the big boy words."

Inuyasha growled and dropped his jeans, reaching for his pillow and throwing it with perfect aim at my head. I caught it, but his point was made loud and clear. I lay down on my side facing away from him, giving him the proper space to change. "You know," I said, making conversation through the awkwardness. "You could change in the bathroom."

Inuyasha swore and I stifled the laugh that threatened to spill.

When he came back out, I had already done the calculations in my head. "We'll stop in the next town and get you some clothes. We only have about a half-hour drive until we reach the Blue Ridge police department, so we'll need to definitely get you a suit if you want to take part in the whole lying, cheating and deceiving bit."

I watched him as he came closer, his black hair dripping water droplets as he tried to slide on the only sleeveless shirt he owned. Seriously, how had I not noticed his lack of hygiene? "You'll let me?"

I rolled my eyes. "I got in a fight with my friends because of you," I answered simply. "I'm quite sure that whatever I decided about this partnership has permanently changed so you're stuck with me and that's that. Okay?"

Inuyasha smirked. "I'm stuck with you?"

There was something in his expression that sent my stomach churning and I was sure – more than one-hundred percent positive – that his face was wearing that same mask in the kitchen at Miroku and Sango's house, after we interrupted them. "What?" I asked immediately, trying to read his eyes. Those amber orbs were like an open book, but before I had a chance to figure out what he was thinking he was walking away towards his bed and flopping down.

"What?" Inuyasha repeated and I could tell that he was mocking me to try and avoid my question.

"What did Miroku and Sango say when we were at Boomerang's?" I asked bluntly, sitting back up on the bed. I was already ready for bed, but with this question out in the open, I doubted I'd be sleeping any time soon.

"What makes you think I heard anything?" Inuyasha countered and instantly shut off the lights. I could hear the creaking of the metal bed frame as he jumped into bed.

"You heard."

"Maybe."

"What were they saying?" I could feel my patience wearing thin.

"They were saying something?"

I growled and laid down, rolling on my side away from him and closing my eyes. He obviously didn't want to talk, but I would make him. Surely, I would make him. Not now, but soon.

This damn half-demon had to learn that I never give up.

And the more you fight with me, the more dirt you dig out of your own personal grave of absolute and torturous hell.

Descriptive? Well. I'm nothing if not thorough.


"I refuse to wear this bullshit," Inuyasha cursed, tugging on the collar of his white button-up shirt with a scowl.

"You're already wearing it." I mimicked his expression as I wrapped the tie around his neck, trying to desperately remember the online instructions I had researched an hour ago. "And if you want to do this with me, you've got to wear the suit."

"I already dyed my hair with your girly shit," the half-demon scoffed. "Why do I have to do this? I look like I'm going to a funeral."

"It'll be yours if you don't shut the fuck up," I muttered under my breath, knowing full-well that he could hear me. "Besides the FBI wear suits." Finally, that damned tie was finished...was it lopsided?

Inuyasha growled before swatting my hands away when trying to fix it. "What the hell wench?"

"Stay still and shut the fuck up dog boy," I snapped, reiterating previous words through gritted teeth.

For Inuyasha's first job, he sure as hell was being a pain in my ass. Looking at him, you could tell that he was ready though. His long black hair was tied back, suit on and tie done – almost – perfectly. We were a block away from the Blue Ridge Police Department, finishing up the final touches on our outfits before walking there. Yeah, the FBI make good money but they definitely don't show up in yellow Corvettes.

"Do you have your fake ID?" I asked, feeling in the pocket of my much more fitting suit jacket for my folder. Inuyasha reached into his inside pocket and pulled out the ID and badge that I had given him. "Name?"

"Agent Takahashi," Inuyasha replied breezily, rolling his eyes. "You've made me say it to you like fifty times."

"I'll bet you twenty dollars you'll screw it up in there," I retorted, giving him a look before getting out of the car. I threw our regular clothes in my now almost-exploding trunk. With my massive duffel bag full of clothes and toiletries, and his massive duffel bag full of the same thing, plus the mini vacuum and all the vacuum-packed bags that held not only my costumes but his new ones...

I frowned. I really didn't want to get rid of this car.

It took five minutes to get there, and Inuyasha was struggling with his shirt the entire time, complaining about this and that. If it wasn't for the fact that I needed him looking like a professional FBI agent, I would've given him a black eye.

"Follow my lead," I murmured quietly to him as we entered the building, and instantly I walked taller, face expressionless. Inuyasha wouldn't know how to do these things, but he would pick it up in time. "Excuse me?" I asked politely, looking at the first cop that came into my line of vision. "Where is the captain?"

The younger cop looked at me confused before opening his mouth, stuttering around words. "Um–"

"I'm captain here." A brisk voice filled the room, silencing most of the cops into jittery whispers and I turned to smile. The man was older, maybe around his late forties with crow's feet etching the corners of this eyes and thick dented lines around his lips from smoking too much.

"Captain, I'm FBI Agent Nazuna Orikasa and this is my partner Ataru Takahashi," I said, pulling out my ID folder, showing it to him quickly and snapping it shut before he had a chance to look. "We're here about the disappearances of Katsuo and Yumi Watanabe. We understand that there were also five disappearances prior that may be connected."

The captain choked, staring at me with wide eyes before coughing slightly into his hand. "And three of those five had valid reasons for disappearing," he answered immediately, trying to maintain his professional stance but finding a hard time since I was – well – dominating him.

"Regardless," I continued. "Five disappearances in ten months? That's not even remotely suspicious to you? Add this couple and that makes seven. That's point-seven people gone per month, Captain...?"

"Kakazu. Captain Kakazu," he responded, suddenly looking a little sheepish. I put on my best smile.

"Well Captain, what do you purpose we do?"

"We?" Captain Kakazu asked. "I don't suppose you'll give me five minutes to find out who the hell you are?"

"FBI, like my partner said," Inuyasha stepped in, and for a moment I froze. I told him not to talk! And I watched in horror as he stepped forward, until he was almost toe-to-toe with the captain. He was definitely taller than the man, and much stronger. I could hear the growl in Inuyasha's throat when he continued, "Now, are you going to help us finally put these disappearances to a rest or not?"

"And how do you purpose we do that?" the Captain said. "We've already caught the guy–"

"We know, but we also know that he'll be out soon. You've got nothing on him, am I right?" I started, looking around the department bored. The officers that surrounded me looked stunned, some a little annoyed. FBI never really had many friends. "He's got place and no alibi so he's got time, and opportunity, but you have no evidence, no motive and worst of all, he's pleading innocent."

"That sure as hell doesn't mean he is," Captain Kakazu spat, glaring at both Inuyasha and I. "I don't remember calling you down here either."

"Doesn't always work that way Captain." I nodded towards Inuyasha, who oddly seemed a little smug.

"It probably doesn't help either that your suspect is your daughter's ex-boyfriend," Inuyasha suddenly said, and I almost died. It was hilarious, explained a lot, but was not professional in any way. Grimacing and instantly stepping between Inuyasha and the now red-faced captain, I sighed.

"I'm sorry about that Captain Kakazu," I said immediately, trying to calm him down. "Look, all we want to do is talk to the suspect and get the coordinates for where the victims disappeared."

For a long moment, I thought the captain was going to punch Inuyasha in the face. He was so red and so angry he easily would've fit in those children cartoons.

"He lawyer'd up," Captain Kakazu hissed, glaring daggers at Inuyasha. "You can't talk to him until tomorrow but I'll have the locations given to you immediately. Don't move." Turning slowly, the captain made his last stare at Inuyasha before leaving for his office.

I waited until the captain was out of sight before whipping to face my loud-mouthed half-demon companion. "What the hell was that?" I demanded in a low voice, showing my irritation through my expression. "That was unprofessional."

"Oh come on," Inuyasha teased, smirking down at me. "It was too good to pass up."

I held back the growl of frustration and turned just as Captain Kakazu was coming back, a file folder in his hands. He pointedly looked only at me. "Here they are, from the points of where they were last seen. It doesn't give you much though and there was no evidence suggesting they stayed there or went further."

I nodded. "I figured as much. You don't exactly keep tabs of hikers. Thank you for your time Captain. We'll keep you posted and see you tomorrow then?"

Clearly unhappy, the captain nodded. "If you must."

When we were in the car and on our way to Springer Mountain, the very beginning of the Appalachian Trail where the victims went missing, I explained to Inuyasha what typical protocol of an FBI agent was. He nodded in all the right places but I had the distinct feeling he was ignoring me. After an additional hour on the road, I was starting to get a bit annoyed. "Do you have a problem?" I asked suddenly, surprising even myself with how sarcastic I sounded.

Okay, so I was naturally sarcastic, but usually I tackled problems with a bit more finesse.

Inuyasha looked startled and turned quickly to face me. "No."

I raised a brow at him. Who did he think I was? He looked like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "Right... So, what are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

"Um, bullshit."

"Drop it wench."

"Nah-ah dog boy."

"I said drop it."

"And I said nah-ah. Spill."

"Never."

"Jerk off."

"Asshat."

"Asshat?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Look, it's nothing. Really. Humans are just stupid. I mean, can't they tell what's actually going on? They lock some guy up... Hell! It's not kidnapping, it's murder at this point. None of the victims turned back up and they have nothing on him. Doesn't that even clue them in the slightest that maybe it's something else?"

"You'll get used to the stupidity. Trust me."

"That's what I'm not looking forward to," Inuyasha grumbled.

"Welcome to the club. Now, look through that folder there, will you? The trail is around nine miles long, I think, so we should see how far in these people were last seen." I tried to get his mind focused back onto the work, because that was what we needed to do, but I couldn't help thinking to myself that maybe Inuyasha was just a little psychotic. He had the weirdest mood swings and the most intense presence I've yet encountered. He's disagreeable, a royal jerk, but he has moments were he's somewhat tolerable. Something was really off about him, and now that he was with me, it would be my personal mission to figure out what makes his mind tick.

Inuyasha sorted through some papers for a bit, scanning them over and I impatiently tapped my fingers on the steering wheel. How hard was it to find a number on the page? "All of them were last seen around a mile in."

"That's it?" I asked, looking thoughtfully out the front window. "A mile is nothing in comparison. Does it say by who?"

"Yeah," Inuyasha answered, giving a small smirk. "Jinenji Egawa, the suspect in custody."

I shook my head in disgust. "He was the last to see them so he was accused of kidnapping him. Idiots, all of them," I cursed, unhappy at how people could be so stupid. I understood why Inuyasha was so bothered by humans because honestly, I was too. And I was even one of them.

When we pulled into the small camp around Springer Mountain where the beginning of the trail was, trees of every kind surrounded us and families with young children bustled around. Cameras were flashing everywhere and kids' screams were heard for their parents, crying about either a sore ankle or a scary bug. I watched for a while as Inuyasha got out of the Corvette, grumbling about something else that I really couldn't care about. Pressing the button on the remote, I popped the trunk and pulled out both of our duffels. My pair of running shoes, track pants and sweater were in there, as well as the new similar outfit Inuyasha and I had purchased earlier for him. I slung it over my shoulder and locked the car. "You have the folder right?"

"Yeah, I got it wench," Inuyasha answered with no real heat, and I figured it was my new term of endearment. How freaking awesome.

At the beginning of the trail there was a large log cabin, people moving in and out with maps and souvenirs. Inuyasha and I followed the groups inside, instantly feeling the overbearing warmth as the overstuffed cabin surrounded us on all sides. I never thought of myself as a claustrophobic person, but the moment that door was closed I was slightly worried.

"Well you look a little too dressed up for trail hikin'," an elderly woman said, startling me. She was only around five feet, with greying hair and a fragile body. "Young lady I almost refuse to give you a trail guide if you go like that." She waved her hands at me and pointed, shaking her finger at me wildly.

Wow. For an elderly lady, she looked pretty threatening. She was glaring absolute daggers at me and her finger was so close to my face and I had to take a step back. The fact that I stepped away from an old woman was huge considering I don't even give a demon that. I usually charge ahead and then rip them apart.

"No, ma'am," I said immediately, if not a little too fast. "I'm Nazuna Orikasa, Federal Agent." I could feel Inuyasha brush against my side and I nodded towards him. "This is my partner Agent Ataru Takahashi."

"Why, don't you make a cute couple," the woman smiled, tilting her head. And then, it was like someone flipped a switch. "But I don't really care 'cause you're not hikin' like that."

I could tell just by the way that Inuyasha stepped back that she wasn't scary to just me. My slightly bruised ego felt a bit better after Inuyasha's reaction, but not by much. "No ma'am, we're federal agents. We just want to ask you a few questions. We have a change of clothes for hiking later."

"I beg your pardon, what did you say you were? Criminal agents?"

Oh dear lord. "Federal agents," I said through gritted teeth. "We want to ask you a few questions."

The elderly woman finally seemed to clue in and nodded, waving us with her arm to follow her. She led us through the busy cabin to a small door at the back. I felt claustrophobia close in even more when we entered the small room. Plants, pictures and little miniature sculptures of animals covered the room and it honestly felt like they were all just getting ready to leap on me at any second.

"You got questions about what?" the elderly lady asked, and I dropped my duffel bag on the floor before answering.

"First, you name, if you don't mind," I said, "and then questions about Jinenji Egawa and the disappearances of Katsuo and Yumi Watanabe."

"My name?" She seemed to cackle at this, shaking her head. "My name is Natsuko Fuji. I here own this place. Been given tours to families and the like for over a decade."

"And what about Jinenji Egawa? Did he work for you?" Inuyasha asked, leaning against the closed door. The look on his face suggested that he didn't like the confines of this place any more than I did. Double ha.

"For a good five years that boy did. Good boy too," Natsuko murmured. "If you're investigating the charges placed on him, I'll let you know that he didn't do it. That boy wouldn't hurt a fly, you hear me? A fly."

"And did you tell this to Captain Kakazu?" I asked, wondering how her opinion hadn't mattered. If this woman worked with the accused for five years, she should know more than anyone if there was anything suspicious about him.

Natsuko chuckled again, giving me a sly look. "Now Agent, do you really believe that old fart is going to listen to a word an old woman has to say?" She snorted in disgust. "That captain has been flailing around for some sort of clue or grasp on what's been going on since this started a year ago. Jinenji conveniently worked here and saw 'em last."

Inuyasha snorted much like the older woman had. "That's hardly anything to go on. Don't worry, that's why we're here."

I gave him a disapproving look, mainly because FBI Agents never question the ability or work of other officials, regardless of their level. Dumbass.

Whether he noticed my withering look or not, I wouldn't know because he continued on as if nothing happened. "Have you heard anything unusual? Do you know who could be kidnapping these people?"

Natsuko laughed again, and this time I almost jumped. Jesus fucking Christ this woman was off-balance. "Who? No. No. What is the question."

"What?" I asked. "You don't think a human is doing this? An animal?"

"Darling, we ain't the only things on this planet," Natsuko murmured, more to herself than me. "Look, I can't help you there. I don't leave this cabin much other than to go home. Whatever is out there needs to be stopped. That's all this old woman knows."

"I think you know more than you give yourself credit for," Inuyasha said, pushing himself from the door to walk past me. His large frame made the elderly woman look insignificant, her head below his chest. "What did you see?"

"In the forest?" Natsuko asked, eyes guarded. "Nuttin'. But there are stories, you know? Old tales and the like. I don't listen much to 'em anyways. However... Sometimes, when I leave this place at night, I hear things."

"What kind of things?" I asked gently. "What do you hear?"

"Laughin'," Natsuko answered. "Little kids laughin'. That noise ain't right for ten at night with nuttin' around but forest."

Little kids laughing. That's more than just a little unusual. Demons only have two abilities when it comes to living among humans. They can either take possession of a body or mimic a body. Possession is harder for demons to do, but if someone tries to kill the human shell that they're inhibiting, it won't damage them at all. Mimicking a body is easier in most ways, but they make the most mistakes and if they are killed, they go back to Hell. The problem with the little children is that demons usually go for bodies that have power, because all demons crave some sort of control over some sort of system. Little children? Not high in the ranks I'm afraid.

"Thank you for your time Mrs. Fuji. We were wondering if there were bathrooms where we could change into our hiking gear?" I asked, already moving towards the door to get away from the suffocation of the room.

"So you are hikin'," Natsuko stated. "Go 'round back. There two of 'em there. You know that trail is nine miles long. You'll never finish before the sun goes down."

"Oh, we're only planning on walking the first two miles, thank you," I said, nodding at Inuyasha to get him to move faster. We almost made it out of her office when she called again.

"One of my boys is takin' a group out in a bit. They don't go past the one mile mark but, if you want, you can go with them. They'll give you a bit of history." Natsuko broke into another smile. "Maybe you'll find out what's goin' on in there."

"That would be great, thank you again," I replied, trying to sound grateful when really all I wanted to do was breathe.

Inuyasha and I booked it out of the cabin and I took a moment to saviour the fresh air. It was mid-afternoon, the sun still high in the sky and the trees were rustling with the August wind. "What do you think, dog boy?" I asked, shoving the duffel higher on my shoulder as we started to head around back.

"There are a lot of demons that prefer to kill children, but I don't know too many that take their form. You think she's right about this though? She seems a little insane," Inuyasha explained, raising a brow at me.

I grimaced. He had a point. "I'm not sure, but I guess that gives us something to look up." We entered the bathrooms and changed quickly, trying to make it in time for the guide. The moment we were both out and ready to go, the group that was being led away and was already entering the forest. We jogged to catch up, hardly listening to the guide as he talked about the forest and the dangers surrounding the place.

I rolled my eyes as he talked about wildlife, because seriously, that was the least of their worries. "Smell anything? Hear anything?" I asked, but Inuyasha only shook his head, eyes still roaming the forest.

For a solid five minutes I was busy searching for anything – any clue, any beep on my radar, any ominous change in the wind.

I got nadda. Zip.

Fuck.

"Mommy, flowers!" a little boy yelled and I watched as he ran past the trail guide, leading up to a patch where another little girl was already picking the flowers.

And that's when I heard it. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Shit-fuck-damn.

"Inuyasha? Any sense at all?" I whispered. "It's coming." I looked in horror as the kids started innocently picking at flowers and I could only think how easy of a target they would be for a demon.

Shit shit shit shit shit.

I burst forwards, running as fast as I could towards them. The beeping got louder and faster, the bleeps in between starting to run into one long line like a death sentence. It was here.

Fucking hell what was I going to do in front of all of these people?

"Go to your mommy!" I yelled at the little boy as I reached him, putting a hand on his back to push him behind me. I looked up to find the girl, and almost gagged as I did.

That wasn't a fucking little girl.

Red eyes pierced through mine and I lunged forward, palm reaching out to purify it. All I saw in those nanoseconds was a wicked grin, a blink of red eyes and then nothing.

"Kagome," Inuyasha exclaimed, pulling me up and looking around the forest. "What the fuck–?"

I whipped around and watched as the little boy who had been picking flowers ran back to his mom, probably scared shitless by my actions. "Did you see her? The little girl?"

"Yeah, I saw her, why the hell – wench?"

I whipped around again, looking for signs of anything in the forest but the beeping in my head was silenced. The fucking bitch was gone.

"She was it – that little innocent looking girl. She was the demon."

Inuyasha frowned. "That's impossible. I would've known... Smell at the very least. This demon must be able to protect itself from others."

"Well," I muttered, not pleased in the slightest with that bit of information. "Won't this be a fucking cakewalk?"

And in case you were wondering, yeah, that was fucking sarcasm.


Sorry of the lack of update, and probable numerous mistakes in there.

I'd still appreciate a review if you're not mad :D