Wooohooo! Another chapter up. Okay, valid excuse for the delays on this one: Programming final followed by the local highschool drama. I got to die. With fake blood and everything.
Anywho, schools almost over for me, so I'll have a lot of spare time soon. So… yeah.
Senior trip this weekend! Going to sunny ocean city Maryland. Woohoo. Gonna check out the boardwalk. And freeze my butt of in the ocean. is cold
Anywho, I just received and E-mail saying that "Congratulations, your story, HANYOU.EXE has been nominated by your readers as one of the best AU InuYasha fanfics of the quarter. Voting for a final winner of this competition will be soon."
So, uh, yeah. Thanks to all you who read and said, "Hey, this is good."
I love you guys. Of coarse, I have NO chance of winning, what with stories like 'learning to let go' and 'beast' also being among the nominees.
Also, one last little note, a few of you have been noticing some very… distinct similarities between this fic and one Synthetic Emotions, by Saro. Just a note, if you haven't read this, you need to. A little adult stuff in there, but an excellent piece of work besides. It was definitely a heavy influence on this one…
Too bad Saro now only does firkin Yaoi Naruto Fanfiction. Of coarse, I don't mean any offence if your into Yaoi, it's just that I'm not. But Saro is a really good writer. But I'm not into Yaoi. So… damn.
Anywho, thanks all for reading, and here we go again with Inu and Kag.
IN this chapter, we begin to see a side of Kag we really haven't seen yet. And here it is!
When Kagome finally managed to home from school, InuYasha was playing solitaire. As quietly as she could, she snuck up and sat down in the chair in front of the monitor to watch.
She smiled just a little, focusing on the screen. His sprite lounged on one pile of cards, slowly glancing around at the upturned faces of hearts and spades. He was small, on the screen, but still incredibly detailed. Mouth caught up in a soft smile, tresses hanging down across the card pile he lay on, and eyes narrowed in a look that was half boredom, half pleasant fun. Stifling a yawn, he flipped of his seat, walked to one stack of cards, picked up a two of diamonds, carried it over to another pile, and put it down on the three of spades.
Kagome almost giggled. As InuYasha picked up a pile consisting of a four, five, and six, Kagome found herself wishing that she could play games like that. It must have been really weird, being inside the computer. Seeing how it worked from the inside. Being able to manipulate it from the inside. It all sounded so… fun.
Chin resting on her hands, Kagome leaned in and watched as InuYasha played, pick up a card, put down a card, flip over a card, in once case rip a card into very tiny pieces (It regenerated again, but it had been fun to watch).
He was almost to the end of the game when he got stuck, glaring around at the cards confusedly. Only one pile of cards remained unflipped, but no matter how he moved he couldn't seem to get them. His lips were skewing in annoyance, and his eyebrows were furrowing angrily. Kagome giggled silently to herself. InuYasha angry was exceptionally funny. Finally, she began to feel sorry for him.
"Eight of clubs to nine of diamonds," she suggested softly into the microphone.
The effect was instantaneous, but not quite what she had expected. "Holy shit!" he swore as he jumped in shock. His head hit the top of the solitaire window, fell, and collapsed. The solitaire game's game menu, badly damaged by the blow, fell on him, impaling itself on his head.
Kagome tried so valiantly to keep from laughing that her sides hurt and tears rolled down her face. But no dice, and the chuckles escaped her throat loud and strong.
InuYasha, face flushed, got to his feet and pulled the menu from around his shoulders. "Dammit, Kagome, don't sneak up on me like that!"
Kagome, still laughing uncontrollable, gasped, "Sorry… sorry, I just… thought… hehehe… that you would have seen me."
The sprite was clutching his chest, breathing hard. "I couldn't see you, okay? Camera was turned off."
"Why did you have it turned off, huh?"
InuYasha shrugged. "I had it off when I was looking for info earlier today… all the visual input slows me down. Like a distraction, right?"
The raven haired girl crossed her arms, and rolled her eyes. "Ooh, I didn't know you took your web surfing so seriously."
"Hey, it helped save my ass today, okay?"
She leaned forward a bit, blinking curiously. "What do you mean?"
InuYasha instantly scrunched his face, like he had said something he shouldn't have. But then he shrugged, and pressed on. "Okay, you know how, a week ago we were being followed online?"
Kagome nodded, very slowly.
"Well, after I talked with you at school today, I found him again."
Kagome stiffened. "What?" she demanded, shoving her nose up against InuYasha's camera. "You don't think its coincidence, do you?"
InuYasha shook his head. "We have problems, Kagome. I started chasing him again, and managed to follow him to his home server. It was a place called Taisho Corp."
The name didn't mean a thing to Kagome. "So, what's the big deal?"
The program let out an exasperated sigh, and the sprite on the screen shook his head. "Remember when you first installed me, Kagome?"
She did. It hadn't actually been that long ago… maybe a week and a half… not long at all. It was weird how quick InuYasha had taken over…
"Yeah, well, in my install program, I make calls to a bunch of different severs to download files I need. You know how I couldn't get those files?" Kagome nodded. "Yeah, well, all those servers are located in a place called Taisho Corp."
Ahh… That she understood. "You mean…"
"Whoever made me knows where I am, Kagome. They know I'm on your computer."
"Shit!" Kagome swore. "You're kidding."
InuYasha shook his head gravely. "Wish I was," he grumbled, "Plus, I've found almost nothing out about this company. They don't have any public information online, and all I've been able to find is rumors."
Kagome leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. "What have we gotten ourselves into?"
"It's not good, Kagome," InuYasha reported grimly. "This company does high end custom software. The sort of programming you'd have to empty the national treasury to pay for. Only the richest people in the world can afford it."
Oh, damn. If it was a company that powerful... she could be in serious trouble.
"It gets worse," InuYasha growled, shaking his head. "It's a privately owned business, and the head of the company is one of the richest bastards in the world."
"A regular Bill Gates, huh?"
InuYasha scoffed. "This guy makes Bill Gates look like he lives in a cardboard box. They say that he's one of the most powerful men in the world. He's got the Japanese government wrapped around his little finger."
Kagome felt her insides churn, and she had a sudden urge to start chanting every curse word she knew. "Dammit, InuYasha…" She bit at her lip.
"Tell me about it." He stared at his feet for a moment. "What are we gonna do?"
"Shit…" Kagome muttered, hugging herself. "I dunno… Do you think they're gonna do something about it?"
InuYasha bit his lower lip and shook his head. "Kagome, Taisho Corps software normally costs upwards of a million. If they know what's going on, you can bet that we're in seep shit."
Kagome pursed her lips, eyebrows furrowing. "So… what can we do?"
InuYasha shook his head. "I dunno…" he muttered. "Can't think of a thing."
"We should ask Terri." Kagome muttered, leaning back, smiling. "She'd help us out."
InuYasha scrunched up his face. "That pervert? Why?"
"'Cause she's a genius," Kagome muttered. "She's been hacking since she was ten, InuYasha. If anyone could help us, she could."
InuYasha nodded, but didn't look happy about it. "I guess so…"
Kagome nodded, and crossed her arms again. InuYasha nodded too. Kagome looked around her room. InuYasha looked around the solitaire window. Kagome picked at a loose thread in her shirt. InuYasha picked up the shattered menu that had fallen on him, and began to try to repair it.
It was kinda weird, actually talking to InuYasha. When they were just typing to one another, it had been easier to keep what he was in mind. But now that she could see him, hear him, talk to him… it was more difficult. It felt like another person was living in her room. But conversation could only run so long before it settled into awkward silence.
"What was that move you mentioned?" InuYasha asked finally, breaking the silence.
Kagome, half grateful to the program, leaned forward. "Eight of clubs to the nine of diamonds," she suggested. "Then you can get the seven off the pile and move the king."
InuYasha stared at the cards for a few moments, then sighed. "It's not as fun with two people," he muttered, and gave a gesture. All the cards quite suddenly flew across the screen, and were magically in their four respective piles. The game was over. InuYasha cracked his knuckles. "It's easier that way."
Kagome let out a long drawn out sigh. "If you could do that in the first place, why didn't you?"
"No fun that way," the program admonished. "Why would I play if there's no challenge?" He casually strolled across the window, climbed up one side, and punched the little 'x' button in the top right hand corner, effectively killing the game. "You got any other games here?"
Kagome shrugged. "Mine sweeper. That's about at fun, huh?"
The sprite rolled his eyes, and shrugged. "Maybe we could find some?"
"But…" Kagome muttered, poking her fingers together. "Don't you think we should stay offline until we figure out what to do?"
InuYasha spat. "Don't think it'll make a difference. If these guys already know where we are. Going online might even help us. If they follow us again, maybe I can find some more information…"
"Yeah," Kagome nodded. "I guess so."
"And besides… if they know where we are, then…" he didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to. It hung in the air between them…
There could already be a hitman out.
Kagome, hugging herself again, wondered what sort of assassin the most powerful man in the world would hire.
The newly christened Inspector Sango Sonada started her first day off on a case in a very special way. She slept till noon, and ate a hot pocket for breakfast.
It felt kinda weird, not waking up at six to put on her uniform. It felt even weirder not having the ever present badge over her heart. She had worn it proudly for the past three years, since she had gotten out of college. Now she didn't even have her cute blue uniform anymore. She would have to get a new outfit.
Something with a trench coat.
She sighed as she put away her dishes from her meal (consisting of a dirty napkin and one of the little microwave crisper sleeves that the tasty sixty second meals cooked in). Yes, life was going to be different from now on. She still wasn't sure if she should have trusted the guy on the phone, but the choice was made, and she couldn't look back.
She strolled from the kitchen/dining room/living room area of her apartment to her bedroom/brand new investigative area, and sat down at her cramped little desk. It wasn't as nice as the desk in her office, or a spacious, but it worked. Particularly when she didn't have that much on it. The contents of the table consisted of: a yellow legal pad with some notes on it, and a very old, very crappy laptop. The legal pad had a few case notes scribbled on it in Sango's near illegible cursive.
She sat down, and pulled her notebook over to her, the tip of her blue pen finding its way between her lips. What exactly did she know so far? Well, not much. That was for sure. Her client was certainly being tight with information.
All she knew so far was the bare details. This was not going to be an easy case. Luckily, even though her mysterious employer was certainly being hard up with his info, he was being very loose with his money. Sango had plenty of funds for anything she might need. A trench coat for instance. If she was gonna be a P.I. she would need a trench coat.
But the coat could come later. First thing she needed was to start her investigation. But where to begin…
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden jingle coming from the ancient computer. With a groan she cracked it open, and flipped up the monitor. The dull glow of the monitor lit up her face. She rolled her eyes, and rubbed her temples.
HentaiHoushi: Greetings, Milady. I saw that you were online, and I simply couldn't resist speaking to you! How are you doing today?
Sango groaned, and hit her head against the table in frustration. Why did he have to talk to her now? That's what she got for leaving her internet connection running. Well, he wasn't about to leave her alone, so she might as well respond.
InspectorSonada583: What do you want, Houshi?
HentaiHoushi: Ahh, lady Sonada, how wonderful it is to hear your voice again.
Sango cursed under her breath.
InspectorSonada583: You can't hear my voice, pervert. I'm typing to you.
HentaiHoushi: True, true, but I can imagine. And to my mind's ear, your voice is sweeter than a choir of angels.
InspectorSonada583: Look, Houshi, I'm busy right now, okay? So could you leave me alone?
HentaiHoushi: The Rat Race again? Is the police chief mad at you today?
Sango rolled here eyes, and pouted. She knew where this was going. She didn't have time to talk to her online friend today, because a simple conversation with him could turn into hours wasted. He was a damn good conversationalist, and that was impressive when typing online.
InspectorSonada583: Houshi, I really don't have time for this…
HentaiHoushi: Yes, yes, of course. Wish the chief good tidings for me, will you?
InspectorSonada583: I'm actually not planning on seeing the police chief any time soon.
HentaiHoushi: Really? And why is that?
InspectorSonada583: I quit.
HentaiHoushi: …
HentaiHoushi: You… quit?
InspectorSonada583: Yep. Someone offered to help me get started as a Private Eye, so I jumped at the opportunity.
HentaiHoushi: That is wonderful. Who is this friend of yours?
Sango paused, and debated. She really needed to do some work, and if she got any further into conversation with her friend, she definitely wouldn't be able to stop. And she needed to work. Work…
Oh, what the hell.
InspectorSonada583: Well, see, I don't really know.
HentaiHoushi: You don't know?
InspectorSonada583: No idea whatsoever.
InspectorSonada583: It was anonymous, but I took it anyway.
HentaiHoushi: Is that wise? It seems to me that you could very easily get left without any job whatsoever.
HentaiHoushi: How do you even know this person is trustworthy?
InspectorSonada583: I don't. But it's worth the risk.
HentaiHoushi: So, someone just offered you money so that you could pursue your dreams? Out of the blue?
Okay, when he said it that way, it did seem pretty silly.
InspectorSonada583: Well, yeah… actually, he wants me to do something for him.
HentaiHoushi: Lady Sonada, I hope you have not agreed to do anything… inappropriate.
HentaiHoushi: I would have to be very insulted that you would take up someone else's offer before mine.
Sango's eyes narrowed. Was that all he ever thought about?
InspectorSonada583: I'm going to pretend you didn't say that.
HentaiHoushi: Say what?
InspectorSonada583: Exactly.
HentaiHoushi: But I am lead to ask what exactly you did agree to.
Sango paused for just a moment, crossing her arms and staring at the screen. Should she tell him? Well, yes, technically she was supposed to keep her investigation a secret… but then again HentaiHoushi was her friend. Never mind the fact that she had never seen his face. Or knew his name. Or where he lived. Or any of his personal information. She did know he was a pervert. But he was polite about it, which was more than a lot of men were. And besides, he seemed nice.
InspectorSonada583: I got hired to do some 'unofficial' investigating.
HentaiHoushi: Milady, you have told me enough about your job for me to know that 'unofficial' means 'illegal.'
InspectorSonada583: Details, details. Look, Houshi, this is my dream, okay? I'm going for it.
HentaiHoushi: You are feeling capricious, today, aren't you?
InspectorSonada583: More along the lines of lethargic.
InspectorSonada583: It's hard to make yourself do work when you don't have a boss looking over your shoulder.
HentaiHoushi: Yes, making yourself work is an art.
HentaiHoushi: It takes years of practice.
InspectorSonada583: And you have this art mastered do you?
HentaiHoushi: If I didn't, I wouldn't be alive right now.
HentaiHoushi: But come, tell me of this case. Perhaps I could help you?
InspectorSonada583: Actually, I wasn't even supposed to tell you I had a case. It's a little secretive.
HentaiHoushi: I will be circumspect.
InspectorSonada583: Well, I don't really have much info myself.
InspectorSonada583: See, a hacker stole something from this big ole Japanese company.
HentaiHoushi: I see…
InspectorSonada583: And I'm supposed to find this guy, report him to the company.
HentaiHoushi: You make it sound so easy.
InspectorSonada583: Oh, don't worry. I'll be working hard.
InspectorSonada583: My 'client' isn't telling much. I've got almost no info.
HentaiHoushi: What DO you have?
InspectorSonada583: Well, they think that the hacker is somewhere in mid-Virginia.
HentaiHoushi: I suppose that is useful information.
InspectorSonada583: Not really.
InspectorSonada583: It's a huge area. I could search forever and not find anything.
HentaiHoushi: I see. You have a problem then.
HentaiHoushi: Have you any other clues to help you in this quest?
InspectorSonada583: Well, only one. The software that was stolen was some sort of robotics software.
InspectorSonada583: And that's all I got.
HentaiHoushi: Robots, you say?
InspectorSonada583: Yep. Why, do you know anything about them?
HentaiHoushi: Me? No, I am afraid not. It simply reminds me of someone I chatted with online today.
HentaiHoushi: I met a boy doing research on robots for a school project.
Sango rolled her eyes.
InspectorSonada583: Oh, yeah. THAT'S a lot of help. You probably found the culprit.
Apparently, he didn't catch the sarcasm.
HentaiHoushi: I would doubt it. The odds are extremely unlikely.
InspectorSonada583: I know that, genius. But I do need some sort of leads. I can't just go to Virginia, stop people on the street, and start demanding what they know of robots, right?
HentaiHoushi: That does seem impractical.
InspectorSonada583: So instead of just giving me a running commentary, why don't you help me?
HentaiHoushi: I do suppose I have a few… contacts in certain circles that could be of assistance. I will see what I can do.
InspectorSonada583: Thanks, Houshi. Oh, and one more thing. I'd like some info on this company I'm working for too. I don't like flying blind here.
HentaiHoushi: Rest assured, my lady. I will work to the best of my abilities.
InspectorSonada583: Thanks, Houshi.
After a long, warm shower, Kagome was feeling much, much better. It was hard to feel too bad about anything when your hair was clean, your skin was soft and scrubbed, and you had a fluffy white towel wrapped around you.
With a few quick primps in the mirror, making sure the improvised towel-turban encasing her hair was in place, she headed off to her room, checking the hall carefully to make sure her mother wasn't out and about. With a few quick strides, she made it to her own bedroom, and slipped inside.
She bumped the door closed behind her, and stretched languorously, allowing the towel to fall to the floor around her feet. Then her eyes popped open, and looked directly at the camera sitting so innocently on top of her computer. She was well within its view. And she was very, very naked.
Blood quickly rushed to her cheeks, turning her a pretty shade of pink. She grabbed her towel faster than she had grabbed anything in her life, and quickly draped the thing in front of her.
InuYasha's little sprite was lounging across her quick start menu, casually staring out into her room. She could swear she saw him smiling his smug little smirk. The little bastard. He was… peeping on her.
She resisted the urge to scream, or do anything else that would only embarrass her more. He would just love it if she were to squeal like a little girl. Besides, he wasn't even really a he. He was a program, made up of ones and zeros. It wasn't like she was actually in front of a real live boy. But that didn't really make her feel any more comfortable.
Being very careful to keep the towel around her, she inched towards her dresser, keeping glaring eyes on the web cam.
It was a highly advanced skill, putting on clothes with one hand and holding a towel up with the other. Kagome had never really had any experience with it, but it was the sort of skill you picked up very quickly when you need to. But it still took her five minutes. Five minutes of absolute embarrassment. Blushing madly, she the hem of her pajama top around her waist, and stalked over to the computer, growling dangerously.
With a huff, she sat herself down in the chair in front of the computer, and crossed her arms. InuYasha still lay back on her desktop, casually inspecting his claws. His smirk was still there, but his eyes were staring up into one of the corners of the desktop, almost like he was lost in thought. "Well I hope you enjoyed that," Kagome snapped, leaning towards the camera.
InuYasha casually glanced out of the screen, and raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm?" he murmured. "Oh, hey, Kagome."
"Don't 'hey Kagome' me," she hissed, blushing even more.
The program shrugged. "Fine." He muttered in such a nonchalant tone that Kagome could feel her spine going rigid. "Anyway, can I turn my camera on yet?"
She froze. "Turn you camera… on?"
"Keh. You didn't take any extra clothes with you when you went to shower, so I figured you could use the privacy."
Oh.
Well then.
Kagome wasn't entirely sure weather she should feel angry, sheepish, or just plain silly. "Uhm…. Thanks."
InuYasha scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself. I just didn't wanna have to see it again. Had nightmare's last night about it."
Kagome bristled, knuckles turning white as her fists clenched. But she wasn't about to take the bait. "Oh, really?" she asked, eyes narrowing. "Probably the best nightmare you ever had."
The program had the good decency to look embarrassed. "That's beside the point, wench!"
Kagome slowly stood up, and walked towards her bed. She couldn't help but cast a knowing glance over her shoulder. "Right, InuYasha," she murmured, and hit the light switch, plummeting the room into darkness, save the little square of light coming from the tiny monitor.
Flopping down heavily onto her bed, she wiggled down into the covers and shoved her face into the soft down pillow. "G'night."
In the soft glow of the monitor, she could make out the was features of InuYasha as he leaned down against the side of the monitor. "Night, Kagome." Slowly, very slowly, his eyes shut and his digital breathing slowed. Weird… he almost looked like he was asleep.
She could feel the land of nod pulling against her, as well, gently rubbing her eyelids until they were closed. Her muscles relaxed, and she melted into her cool sheets. Somewhere, in the half drugged state of near-sleep, she could feel her mouth moving, and words escaping her vocal cords. "Hey, InuYasha?"
There was a grumpy noise, and a low growl. "What?"
"I was just wondering… do you really sleep? You know, cuz you're a machine and all?"
There was the ever familiar scoffing sound. "Of coarse I do, wench. I go into sleep mode every night."
Ah… sleep mode. So that was it…
"What's it like?" Kagome murmured, trying feebly to fight against the wall of comatose that threatened her.
"What's what like?"
"You know…" Kagome fumbled a little while for wards. "Being what you are… living on a computer?"
There was a long, long pause. "I dunno... It just like… living, I guess. What's it like living with a real body?"
Kagome paused herself. How could she answer that? Never really thought about it before. How do you explain physical being to someone who doesn't have one? "It's okay, I guess…" she muttered. "I can pick stuff up."
"Wish I could do that," InuYasha muttered, growling softly. "All I can do is wander around the internet."
Wish…
Something finally caught Kagome's attention. "You wish you could?"
"Yeah… What's it to you, wench?"
"Well, you're just an AI, right?"
Another long pause passed before InuYasha's voice came back. It sounded faintly suspicious. "Yeah?"
Kagome was struggling for words now. The dark blanket of sleep was coming ever closer to her. "Well, you keep on talking bout how you… want stuff and wish for stuff. But you can't really want it, can you?"
"Why can't I?" asked InuYasha, very quietly.
Sleep was beginning to claim her. "Cuz… y'know. You're a… a program. You got a… personality and all… but…" Dammit, what was the word she was looking for? "But your not really a person, right? I mean, cuz someone else made you. Your like a… a…" What was the word? She grabbed at something and spat it out.
"Fake."
…
No, no, that wasn't the right word. But it was sort of what she meant. And she really couldn't think of a better one right now. And then there was nothing but sleep. Blessed, wonderful, blissful darkness.
The only sound that changed the room was the deep, heavy noise of Kagome's breathing. It was five minutes before the computer made any noise at all. And after that came a simple, almost sad, "Goodnight, Kagome."
And then silence.
Fake?
She thought he was fake?
And for some unidentifiable reason, InuYasha couldn't enter sleep mode until hours later.
