DISCLAIMER:I OWN NOTHING :(

LUG14: Thanks, i try :P

Please enjoy the chapter. :)

Discovered

"Mom!"

Kagome paused, listening, relieved when she heard a door open upstairs and the rapid thud of feet down the hall.

"Kagome...where on earth have you been? I've had Miroku looking everywhere for you, but he had to go to work..."

"Mom, Im fine, I just went for a walk. Has anyone heard anything?"

She shook her head, running one hand through her disheveled hair. "No, honey, nothing. I sure could use some coffee-want to join me?"

Kagome poured the coffee, trying to think where to start. Sango...the old man at the lighthouse..her feeling of being watched on the beach...the note...With everything else that had happened that morning, it had been pushed completely from her mind. Now she frowned, wondering what to do, and lowered herself into a chair.

"You remember the guy on the boat yesterday? I saw him on the beach this morning, and this girl..Sango..is a friend of his and Miroku's. We went and had some breakfast and talked."

"That's nice," she said distractidly. "Kagome, they're calling off the search after today. They're convinced Rin fell and drowned, and they dont think they'll find her."

"Oh, Mom..."

"Inutaisho wants me to stay."

"I understand."

"Now look, you can call Eri and can still go with her folks to the mountains and-"

"Mom, I cant leave now," she scooted forward, her voice urgent. "I just wouldn't feel right about it."

Ms. Higurashi sighed and pulled her close in a hug, "Do you think you can manage on your own? Try to have a good time in spite of everything? I know it won't be much of a vacation, and Inutaisho thinks you might be better off..."

"Tell him not to worry. I'm really okay. I just wish I could help."

"We all wish that, honey. But no one can do anything because no one knows anything. There's no proof..." She lowered her voice again and it trembled. "You just cant give up, can you, if there's no proof...I mean, it's not like your father..."

Her voice faded, and Kagome stared down at her mother's hands twisting together on the tablecloth. She could feel her own chest tightening, and she got up quickly. She couldnt tell her mom about the note-not about any of it.

Kagome jumped as the kitchen door flew open, relaxing again when she saw Miroku.

"Oh, so their you are." He looked relieved.

"Im sorry Miroku, She came in a few minutes ago. I should have let you know." She pulled out a chair and motioned for him to sit. He shook his head.

"I have to get back. I just wanted to make sure she got back ok. How's dad?"

"He finally dozed off about a half an hour ago.I was going to let him sleep a while, but he made me promise to wake him for the search-"

"Dont do that," Miroku shook his head. "Im going up there now. Their finishing the last stretch this morning, so Shippou told me he'd close down East Beach and cover for me."

"Let us come," Ms. Higurashi said quickly. "We can do something-"

"No, you need sleep, too," Miroku said kindly. "I'd rather you just locked the door and tried to rest."

"But what if someone comes by or tries to call?" Mom argued. "If anyones heard anything-"

"I doubt anyone would call except maybe the sheriff..and he'll be with us. It's and unlisted nmber anyway." Miroku took a pad off the counter and wrote on it. "Here...just in case you need it. We wouldnt have a phone at all, only dad needs to keep in touch with his agent. It's the same number for both houses."

"Both?"

"Well, when the phone rings, it rings here and next door, too. Thats so one of us will hear it if Dad's locked away with his typewriter going. Except we're usually not around , and dad always misses his calls."

Kagome smiled and took the paper he handed to her. Miroku backed towards the door again and paused.

"The search wont last much longer-maybe you've heard. They covered the entire island and gone over the cove several times."

Kagome felt a knot in her wanted to say someithing, but Miroku was gone.

"Sango's coming by to take me sightseeing," Kagome mumbled, but she knew her mother hadn't heard. She slipped quietly outside, turning her face to the sun, taking in deep gulps of fresh, warm air.

XXXXXX

"Trying to get a tan on your throat?" Sango ran up laughing and Kagome swung around ,her spirits lifting.

"Girl, am I glad to see you!"

"Need to get away, huh?" Sango nodded understandingly, slipped an arm through Kagome's and began a to steer her toward the beach. "I saw Miroku headed the other way. Things dont look good, do they?"

Kagome shook her head. "Miroku's with the search party. He doesnt thingk they'll be looking much longer."

"It's suck a rotten shame. And Miroku is such a sweet heart, I cant stand to see him sad like this."

"Was Rin a good friend of yours?

"Not really; she only came this summer. I never got the impression she was..." Sango cast her a meaningful look..."Uh...you know...too bright?"

"No kidding ?She sounded to me like she was really sweet."

"Oh, sweet, yes. Always smiling. Always something nice to say to everyone. Kind of like MIroku, really..only, you know, slow. Like things took a long time to get through to her. But her brothers were really nice to her."

"Even Inuyasha?"

"Yea, its funny, huh? Even inuyasha. Come to think of it," Sango screwed up her face puzzling, "I never heard him speak a mean word . He was always really patient...like maybe he realized she couldnt grasp things as fast as everyone else."

Kagome felt sad. "She must have been pretty special...No wonder there's such a void in the family."

"She seemed to really like both of them," Sango added, staring into the blue sky as if the past was playing there like an old movie. "But she hung out with Miroku more that Inuyasha. All this summer she's been a sort of permanent fixture around him. Like when he was working West Beach, she was never very far form his station."

"Did he mind?"

"Never seemed to..and you know how some guys would handle that! I mean, can you picture Shippou putting up with a tagalong little sister?" Sango rolled her eyes. "Thats funny, isnt it...they grew up never knowing each other, and when they were finally together, they really seemed to get along."

"Maybe..." Kagome stopped to shake a rock from her sandal, "if she was a little slow, they felt sorry for her."

"Maybe." Sango mulled this over, then added. "That makes it even worse , you know. . Thats what I keep thinking about. That she was kind of innocent and naive..and nobody was there to save her."

Kagome shut her eyes, a flood of unwanted memories pounding through her brain. No...I will not think of them...

"Hey, are you okay?" Sango shook her gently by the elbow, and Kagome forced a smile.

"Yes, something just got in my eyes."

"Well, you better watch were you're going..the beach is really busy."

Kagome couldn't believe the change since her walk that morning. Now the shoreline was absolutely jammed with people.

"Where did they all come from?" she asked, amazed, and Sango giggled.

"End of summerers. Trying to squeeze in all their last flings before school starts. The beach'll be empty again when the boat pulls out this evening."

"What happens then? The beach just closes down?"

"Well, its never really closed, not literally, but its swim at your own ristk after six. I mean, the lifegaurds cant just live there twenty four hours a day!"

"Dont any of the islanders ever use their own beach?"

"Oh, sure, but not that many." They swerved around a volleybnall game. "Everyone's been warned about the risks after dark, and really, there's not many kids on the island anymore. They've all grown up and left. Alot of them go the the mainland to work or they're off on exotic vacations."

"And what bout you?

Sango threw her a mischevious grin. "My folk's own the fanciest restuarant on Shinkon. And am I a lady of leisure. No way! Unfortunatly my folks also believe in the old fashioned values of hard work and earning your keep! This just happens to be my day off. Tomorrow mom and dad jet off to london, and where willl I be? Waitressing and bussing tables."

Kagome laughed and hurried with Sango through the crowds. They had been going in the opposite direction from Kagome's route that morning, and this part of the beach was like a whole different world. Instead of quiet cottages on the rise overlooking the sand ,there was a hodgepodge of food stands, game booths, souvenir tents, bright blue awnings and striped umbrellas, all jammed together with swimsuited bodies and glistening tans. Floating in the salty air was an overpowering mixture of hot dogs, suntan oil, hamburgers and grilled onlions, dried shells and seaweed, and hot, hot sun. Laughing and shouting mingled with the rush and break of the waves, blaring radios, the happy screams of swimmers and though it all came the hollow boom of a voice: "You're out to far! Get closer to shore!"

"Look, there's Shippou!" Sango tugged Kagome's sleeve, and they stopped beside his tower. "Hey, Lifegaurd! How's the weather up there?"

"Hey, ladies!" He grinned down at them, showing perfect white teeth. "Just the usual routine, lets see...oh, id say i've saved about two hundred lives in the last hour."

"And broken how many hearts?" Sango tossed back.

"You cut me to the quick," Shippou tried to look wounded "Can I help it if they all lust after me? Can iIeven blame them?"

"Dreamer," Sango aimed a punch, but he dodged.

"And where are you two headed?"

"Thought id take her on a tour of the island."

"How grand. That should take all of ten fascinating minutes." He bent over and winked at Kagome ."You understand, of course, that seeing me was the highlight of the tour. Everything from now on is simply-"

"Garbage," Sango finished smugly. "Dont pay any attention to him..he's a perfect example fo what too much sun can do to the brian."

"Is that any way to talk to someone who might one day save your-" Shippou broke off, and gave a sharp blast on his whistle. "I said come back!"

"They really respect you shippou," Sango said, staightfaced. "Im very impressed." She started to pull Kagome away, but Shippou aimed his megaphone down over their heads.

"Now ear this! Are you coming over tonight?"

"Why would we want to do that?" Sango clamped her hands over her ears, and Shippou smiled

"Because the servants are away, and I wanna play. Come on, be a sport, we need some bright moments in our lives. Happiness, joy, laughter."

"Sounds pretty boring," Sango faked a yawn.

"You'll have me all to yourself," Shippou reminded her. "Without all these jealous females around."

Sango tried to hide it, but Kagome saw the quick flush on her heeks. "Shippou , you really are to much. And why would I ever want you to myself..you know I dont like used merchandise."

"But im like fine leather," he deadapanned. "The more im handled, the better I get."

"The more stuck on yourself you get," Sango retorted.

"Sango, Sango," Shippou siad, his tone patronizing. "Now you know you dont mean that. You know how boring tonight will be anyway, all alone in your house with nothing to do."

"So what?"

"So I think you'll come." Shippou looked as if he had won a secret battle. "And anyway, you didnt let me finish. I was to gonna get Miroku there. Get his mind off all this horror-movie stuff."

"Oh, Shippou," Sango looked uncertain. " I thinks its really nice of you trying to cheer him up, but do you really think he'll feel like coming? And what about Inuyasha?"

Shippou heaved a heavy sigh. "I'll even ask Inuyasha. Out of the goodness of my heart." He stared down at them for a moment, his impression turning serious. "Im worred about Miroku, Sango. He just wont let himself believe that shes gone."

"And what do you think?" Kagome spoke for the first time, and they both looked at her as if they'd forgotten she was there.

Shippou sighed again and balanced the megaphone on his knee. "I think she drowned. I think she was wandering around the cove where she shouldn't have been and slipped, the tide came in. I dont want to be pesimist or anything, but it's happened before, people taking chances on the beach after dark. We've just been lucky and found them, thats all."

Kagome looked startled, staring at Shippou while Sango tried to pull her away.

"Come on, Kagome, miles to go before we eat." Her tone was light, but Kagome didnt miss its undercurrent of concern.

"So ill see you later, right?" Shippou stretched, trying to catch Sango's parting remark as the girls took off through the crowds.

"If you're lucky!" Sango smiled companionably at Kagome and once again linked arms with her. "He never changes. Impossible since the day he was born. Oh well, im stupid for being so determined, I guess."

"Did you go away to school to?"

Sango shook her hair back from her eyes. "No such luck. I go to school on the mainland. Shippou went there, too, till he had to go away."

Kaogme looked up. "Had to?"

"Well, he's hardly turned out to be the model son," Sango chuckled. "His father finally got tired of bailing him out of throuble and thought boarding school would help straighten him out. It didnt, of course, he kept flunking out. But when your as rich as Shippou, people can be pursuaded to make exceptions. Mr. Shikon paid this last school a bundle, just so they would keep him and he would graduate."

"How on earth do you know that?"

"Shippou told me. But just between you and me, I think he was actually glad to stay at this school ' cause Miroku was there."

They slowed down, the crowds thinning out at last, and Kagome cast Sango a sidelong glance.

"So what happens now-now that shippou's graduated?

Sango scuffed her shoes through the sand, laughing. "If you're referring to the ongoing saga of Shippou and Sango, your guess is as good as mine. Oh, who am i kdding? Of course I'd love for him to come to his senses and reallize just how right for him I am. Goodness, we know eachother too well..no one else could put up with us!"

"What ...about Miroku?" Kagome tryed to sound casual, but Sango looked at her knowingly. "I mean..is he... involved with anyone?"

Sango smiled. "Miroku's too shy to get involved with anyone. Of course," she added slyley, "there's always a first time for everyone." She gave Kagome's arm a yank and raised a head to where a yellow shuttle bus was just loading passengers. "Come on, this is where we get on!"

For the next few hours. Sango gave Kagome such an insiders view of the island that she fell totally in love with it. It wasn't just the beach and the village and the festive atmosphere that she found so fascinating...it was the friendly attitude everyone seemed to have. Sango made sure Kagome visited every store, and afterwards they stopped in at Sango's restuarant and got icecream to eat on their way back to the beach. As they walked, Sango recalled hilarious moments from her and Shippou's childhoods, making Kagome laugh till she hurt. For the first time, she felt glad to be there, but as they came out through some tree's onto a rocky embankment, she saw the cliffs towering close by, and her mood changed abruptly. Suddenly it didn't seem right, she and Sango having such a wonderful time, while somewhere...forgotten...RIn was...

"What did Shippou mean back their?" Kagome interrupted, and Sango gave her a strange look.

"About what?"

"About people taking chances on the beach after dark, and you being lucky and finding them."

"Oh. That." Sango sighed and climbed the rocks, obviously following some invisible path that she had taken many times before. "It happens somtimes, even when people are warned. Its like I told you, they just can't be on duty all the time. People think they're safe ' cause they're only going in for a minute, just to wade or take a quick dip..."

In spite of the hot sun, Kagome shivered. "And they-"

"Drown," Sango finished. "The tieds are so strong...so diffferent all around the island. People just get pulled out before they know it-and there's no one around to help."

Kagome reached out to steady herself, but Sango was a few paces ahead and didnt see.

"We'e had two drownings already this summer. It's not something we publicize-I mean, the last thing we want is for people to be afraid of this place."

"That's...horrible," Kagome murmmered. She felt weak, and Sango was getting farther away.

"But like I said, its lucky they were found, They were both girls about our age..vacationing on the island. Im glad I didn't find them; I think I'd go nuts."

Kagome took a deep breath, a hesitant step. The rocks were hard to climb, but Sango didnt seem to be having any trouble. "Who did find them?"

"Oh, you wouldn't know him," Sango was getting farther and farther away. "His name is Totosai. He's an old fisherman who hangs around the island-really creepy with an eye patch."

Kagome stumbled, caught herself, trudged on. "I...I do know him.." She wasnt sure if she had spoken aloud or only inside her head, but Sango was calling back.

"There's a really neat veiw from up here, if I dont have a heart attack first. You can see all the cliffs and both beaches, and Shippou's house is just over there-there's a road, but it's usually locked up."

"Road? Sango , are we going to the lighthouse?" Kagome stopped , but Sango continued to climb.

"Sure! Dont you want see it?"

"I thought we weren't supposed to-"

"We're not." Sango grinned sheepishly back over her shoulder. "But I love it up here, its so private and the view is the best. Come on!"

Sighing, Kagome started after her again, already feeling little ripples of apprehension through her body. She didnt want to run into Totosai agian...or Inuyasha...

"Here we are! Up you go! Sango gave her a boost, and Kagome stumbled onto solid ground at last, gasping for breath. "It's a shortcut," Sango said apologetically, putting her arm around Kagome, steering her forward. "I should have put you in training first...sorry." She didnt seem to notice how Kagome clung to her as they went closer to the lighthouse. "Its something, huh?" Sango tilted her head, gazing up at the imposing structure. "It was built in 1824. The last lighhouse keeper lived her for over forty years."

Kagome raised her eyes reluctantly, her fingers clamping onto Sango's arm. Again it was there -again-that feeling of being watched...

"They just let it go," Sango said sadly."After all its years of warning people away from the rocks..of course it didnt always help. Lots of ships went down in the cove. Lots fo folks still think the lighthouse is haunted...That all the souls of the drowned walk in the tower..and cry...and try to lure new souls to their deaths..."

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut, trying to force the fear away..the cry of the wind..the unseen eyes that watched...watched...

"Maybe it was the souls," Sango whispered, "Masybe Rin heard them calling her and-"

"Come on," Kagome said firmly. She fought down the mounting terrror and pulled Sango along behind her, hurrying, not really seeing cleary, tugging her back down the embankment as she tried to keep her balance. She heard Sango stumbling along behind her, the wall of the rocks, weaving unsteadily beneath her feet-but not the thing-she didnt see the awful thing sticking out of the grass, clawing at the air as if it were still alive, clawing at her ankle like a last hope-

She didnt see the thing until she fell, and Sango fell beside her, until she heard Sango scream, and she rolled over, panicky, and reached out to grab Sango's hand.

Only it wasn't Sango's had she grabbed.

And it wasn't Sango's eyes staring back at her, empty...dead.

Please don't kill me *Run's around the desk and ducks* Im almost positive i just gave myself carpole Tunnel Syndrome. :( ahh well..I hope you enjoyed, ill update again asap. Ciao for now