Rescue Me

Chapter Ten: On the Move, Worlds Worst Cousin

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Ichisan Shirimato had been doing his job as the evening watchmen for the Rail to Travel train corporation close to twenty years now. He was an older man, nearing his premature fifties, who had collectively gained the respect and admiration of quite a few citizens who often came through his post at some point in their work day, as well as the appreciation of his boss and crewmembers.

In the past twelve years nothing too severe or uncontrollable had happened in the Kanazawa location under his careful watch night in and night out. No break-ins, no robberies, not too many freeloaders who tried to jump on the train as it was leaving, and above all no deaths or kidnappings, which was extremely remarkable. To any bystander, these simple details were all thanks to the corporation for being so secure and well-ordered that everything ran efficiently. However, Ichisan knew better than most. The place couldn't function let alone have any type of protection without him being present, and it wasn't necessarily relevant that people recognized this. As long as Ichisan knew in his own mind that he was in fact, the train station's sole guardian, nothing else anyone had to say mattered to him.

Ichisan rested his hands across his large stomach as he sat back at his desk. Things were winding down for the night as the twelve and twelve fifteen trains boarded last minute passengers and took their leave from the docks. The old man smiled with a sigh, another day another dollar. Next week, the employee of the month competition would begin and he was sure that this year was his turn to shine.

Abruptly there was a soft knock on his door and Ichisan let his old tired eyes up to see Pachi, his young enthusiastic crewmate with a black leather coat in hand.

"Is it okay if I head home for the night chief?" Pachi asked glancing behind him, "My ride wants to know."

"Oh I suppose," Ichisan said to him "You made sure the ticket booths were closed and locked I assume?"

"Yes sir,"

"Then I'll see you tomorrow afternoon kid."

Pachi nodded in appreciation, "Would you like me to stay until you lock up?" He asked sliding one arm into a sleeve of his coat.

Ichisan shook his head, "No, I'm going to finish some miso I have in the back before I go home. You go on ahead Pachi. We won't keep your ride home waiting now will we?"

"Hasn't your wife already prepared your dinner for you?" Pachi asked, a smile drifting across his face.

"She did," Ichisan replied with a grin of his own "Which is why I must fill up on my miso soup before I go home and attempt to swallow whatever she's made."

The two shared a kind laughter as Pachi waved goodbye and turned to leave the small office.

Ichisan watched the young man go before snatching his key ring from on top of the desk and heading in the direction of the worker's room, thinking hungrily about his miso broth as he lumbered across the platforms. It wasn't until he had gotten half way there, that the lights above him flickered twice then with a rapid spark blew out entirely.

"Damn it," Ichisan mumbled under his breath. This hadn't been the first time the aged bulbs had given out power. He replaced his keys with a small flashlight from his back pocket and turned around. A generator lay cornered in the central bureau that he would have to reboot in order for the back up lighting to turn on until it could get fixed tomorrow.

Ichisan made his way to a large booth in the center of the station, his rubber sneakers making soft squishing noises as he went. He took the key ring back out of his pocket, stuck the flashlight between his lips and aimed it towards the bolted lock of the door.

That's when he saw the shape.

It came swiftly towards him as if the figure glided instead of walked. Ichisan let out a small yelp before a powerful twinge of sharpened claws dug into the skin of his neck bringing him to his knees at once, both keys as well as the flashlight falling to the ground.

"Now, now old man," A menacing voice came from behind Ichisan's left ear, "My brother and I have a game just for you." scorching breath assaulted the side of Ichisan's face without warning.

Before he knew it, the aged man was turned around on his knees and forced to look up with a claw at his chin.

Two wolf demons stood threateningly before him. There eyes pitch black slits staring down at him sinisterly. The two demons looked almost identical, besides the fact that one had long flowing blonde curls and the other wore tresses of crimson in a high ponytail.

"My heavens," Ichisan could barely articulate without his lips trembling.

"You're far from them," The blonde haired demon snickered. He had been the one holding Ichisan's neck so tightly, for there was blood on the tips of his right hand fingernails.

Ichisan tried to sound confident with his words but his efforts proved to show his fear and weakness, "What d-do y-you want from me devil?"

"Devil? How insulting," The crimson haired demon spoke up with a much higher voice, "We want to play a game silly old man, didn't you hear my brother?"

"Yes a diminutive little game," Crimson laughed at him through jagged teeth "We are going to ask you one question on subject only." He explained, walking towards Ichisan and crouching to his level, "You answer right you keep your meaningless life. Answer incorrect and…well I'd rather not be the barer of dire news if you catch my drift. These simple rules are easy enough to follow aren't they?"

Ichisan gulped hard as fear began to take over his body. Nevertheless he nodded his understanding.

"Ginta refrain from fooling around," The blonde haired demon hissed from behind of them, "I don't plan to be hindered much longer." He added with a lick of his lips.

"Patience my brother," The crimson haired demon responded flatly grinning in Ichisan's direction, "Now Mr. Shirimato is it?" He said peering to the left at the old man's name tag "Here is your million dollar question, almost four months ago a smoke train left Kanazawa headed north with a girl perhaps riding unaccompanied on it. Where was this train's ultimate destination?"

"You can't possibly expect me to remember back four months ago!" Ichisan let out a small cry as tears began to rim his eyes, "I am an old man sir…"

"I'm afraid you must attempt to Mr. Shirimato," Ginta pretended to act as if he were heartbroken, "Your life depends on it."

Ichisan remained unspoken, his thoughts racing, trying with all this might to remember train schedules.

"Time is not on your side Mr. Shirimato," The blonde haired demon spoke up, "We need an answer…now."

"Just a minute," Ichisan pleaded frantically.

"Five…four…"

"Please I beg you just a moment!"

"Three…two…"

"I got it!"

"One…"

"Osaka!" Ichisan yelled as he saw the blonde haired fiend step towards him, "Osaka!" He cried again, tears streaming down his face, "The train was on its way to Osaka!"

Ginta held up his hand to stop his brother, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes I am!" Ichisan told them "I am most absolutely sure!"

"Why then thank you ever so much," Ginta rose to his feet and turned away "I suppose you've won and get to keep your petty existence."

Unexpectedly he began to giggle passionately and Ichisan's eyes widened in terror as the blonde fiend sprang toward him. With one rapid movement there was a razor-sharp sting followed by a hallow numbness across his neck and Ichisan reached to grab hold of whatever had caused his skin to burn.

Blood poured from his neck through his fingers as all Ichisan could do was struggle for breath, "But…but…" He wheezed as the blonde wolf stood over him panting in a sinister way.

"Too bad for you…we don't play fair."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Miroku watched intently from across the table as she bit off pieces of the grilled cheese sandwich, dipped them into a basin of hot tomato paste, and then tossed them into her mouth one by one.

He still wasn't quite sure why she had some back to him so suddenly during the night. More than anything he wished he had obtained the strength to send her away from his door but he couldn't. Not because he still loved her, (though he knew deep down the feeling was still there) love had nothing to do with their current situation, but because he felt sorry for the state she had willingly put herself in. It was pathetic in a way.

"Are you going to eat?" She asked him after half of her sandwich was finished.

"No," Miroku folded his arms across his chest "I'm waiting for you to finish so that you can tell me why you've come."

Sango stopped chewing mid-bite and set the food down. Her green eyes wondered hesitantly to his, "I want us to be together."

"People in hell want ice water," Miroku said rudely "Doesn't mean their going to get it."

Sango smiled agitatedly, "Come on Miroku, don't you think this amusement has gone far enough?" She glanced away from him "We should just put all of this behind us."

"What are you talking about," The young monk asked hotly "I meant what I said to you and I haven't changed my mind about anything."

Sango bit her lip. This hadn't been the answer she had hoped for but she had prepared for a statement like that nonetheless, "Miroku I love you. I know you love me too. This whole, Kagome getting in between us thing has made a bump in our relationship and we need to get over it. I'm perfectly willing to do so if you are."

Miroku rolled his eyes, "There's no bump, and Sango,"He made quotations in the air at the word 'bump' "This is about you being a crazy psycho towards all of my friends and me being done with the performance. You're too jealous for me to be in a relationship with."

Sango couldn't deny that she felt hurt at his words, "So you don't love me anymore?"

"I do," Miroku paused "But love has nothing to do with it. You're not even listening."

"I am listening!" Sango objected rising from her seat, "You're the one not listening! I told you, Kagome has ruined—"

"Will you stop bringing Kagome into this?" Miroku snapped impatiently. He rounded the table, bringing himself face to face with his ex girlfriend, "That's your problem. Right there! You are so jealous of my friendship with her that you're making all these absurd accusations about what doesn't exist!"

"You told me there was in no way anything between you too, lying bastard!" Sango felt her cheeks get hot as she turned away from him to hide her impending tears "Why do you insist on being dishonest with me Miroku? Our bond was just perfect until—what can we do…I do…to make it like it was? Before any of this ever came between us…"

Miroku hesitated for a second, trying to decide what to tell her. The truth was he didn't know how to make things right again, or if they could ever be the same for that matter. Sango was a faithful girlfriend when she wasn't being extreme…and part of him couldn't help but remember the good times they had shared.

But most of it seemed irrelevant now.

Kagome had his thoughts taken at this moment in time and he had to know if there was something there between himself and Kagome that could potentially flourish now that she was around and accessible.

"I don't know," Miroku finally mumbled "but I need some space Sango. To think about us and where we're headed…other things too. I can't do that when you're hounding me and creeping around my friends."

"I can give you that," Sango forced herself not to smile "You can have all the time you need." She reached for her purse and slung it over her shoulder, "But promise me you'll keep an open mind."

"I might," Miroku walked her to the door, "Oh and Sango…"

"Yes?"

Miroku's face became serious, his hazel eyes darkening, "If I find out you've made a fool of yourself in front of Kagome again then that's it. I won't forgive you, we won't be together, and I won't care."

Sango's eyes grew large as flashbacks from a few days before entered her mentality like a wave of rapid lights. If Miroku found out about the little "episode" between herself and Kagome, everything was going to be ruined! Any chance of Miroku showing her that he truly loved her again was going to be over.

"Sango?"

Sango blinked twice as she pulled herself back into reality, "Right. I promise, you won't hear a thing." With that she opened the front door and hastily stepped outside.

Great…Now Sango would have to find a way to call a temporary truce with little miss perfect before Miroku had time to find out they had fought.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Kagome had a plan.

Was it fool proof? No. Was it smart? Well that depended. However at least she had something. Christmas was only two short days away and hopefully with all her latest excellent behavior, someone would purchase the camcorder she had asked for. Then Kagome could make a video, ship it to Koga, and let him know once and for all that she wanted no part in his life, nor did she want him to have any part in hers.

Of course this way of solving the predicament would've been much more effectual in person yet, she had promised not to go, and Kagome Higurashi kept her promises.

It was upsetting to not be home for the holidays. Kagome couldn't very well remember the last time she had been away from her mother during this time of year and the thoughts of her family sent an unfamiliar ache to her heart. Were they okay? What were they doing? Had they heard anything about Koga since he had been locked away?

Sure, she could always call and find out the answers to these questions but that wasn't the point. She missed them. Her mother's hug, her father's laugh, and even Souta's annoying non-stop chatter.

On the other hand, she and Sesshomaru had made plans to see each other Christmas Eve once everyone had gone to sleep and Christmas morning before everyone decided to wake up. This would be her first time spending the night at his house and she was more than anxious.

Of course nothing would happen between them if she didn't want it to. It was the fact that they'd be spending quality time together that excited her. Plus this would be the first time they'd spent together in almost a week and she was not going to let that rare opportunity go for anything.

Not only this, but she had finally decided on the perfect gift to present him.

It was a simple ring. 14k platinum silver with the initials S and K engraved on the inside. At first a ring seemed to imply another subject and Kagome had hesitated on buying it from the old jeweler. She imagined Sesshomaru opening the small box with a look of curiosity on his face then as soon as his hazel eyes saw what was within he'd laugh at her.

Luckily, that wasn't Sesshomaru's style, Kagome hoped he would view the ring as a promise that they'd try to be together through all the odds that faced them, or at least show him she actually cared about him and their relationship. However just in case, she had also purchased a silver chain so that he had the option of wearing the ring around his neck instead of on his hand.

Suddenly Kagome heard a loud thump and she quickly turned around from her position on the couch to see Atari, carrying a mound of brightly wrapped packages under the support of both her hands.

"Damn it," Atari's voice came from behind the presents, "If anybody's out there I could use some help please!"

Kagome laughed as she got up to help her cousin, "Atari what is all this?" She grabbed the top layer of parcels and set them on the table. The brunette repeated her action.

Atari huffed softly, her bangs flying up by the slight wind of her breath, "Well you know how horrible I am at wrapping presents right? I left extra early this morning, went to the mall with all of those," She pointed to the gifts on the table, " and battled an enormous line of soccer mom's and cranky grandmas just to get them wrapped professionally."

"Wow," Kagome smiled, "You know you could've just asked me for help."

"Why?" Atari's light green eyes flashed playfully, "So that you could see what I got you?"

"No, so you didn't have to go all the way to the mall," Kagome sized the mound of presents, "These can't all be for me and grandpa?"

"Psh," Atari kicked off her shoes and plopped down on the couch, "I don't love you guys that much," She added with a giggle.

"So who are they for?" Kagome asked ignoring her cousin's joke.

Atari rolled her eyes as she tilted her head back against the cushions, "Let's see, um…well of course there's something there for you, gramps, Miroku, his girl, a few things to send to my favorite aunty and uncle, also known as your parents, oh Souta too, Sesshomaru—"

Kagome's breath caught in the back of her throat, "Sesshomaru?"

"Yeah," Atari sighed "I haven't talked to him since our date but I thought it would be nice to get the man something." She said casually.

Kagome found it hard to fight the spike of jealousy working its way through her body. In her psyche, Atari and Sesshomaru, just the thought of them together, was enough to overload her circuits. Say something to her Kagome's mind blared, she closed her eyes tightly to block out the voice, "W-what did you get him?" She finally asked.

"Something special," Atari found herself smiling, "I'm going to give it to him on Christmas Eve. Or do you think Christmas day would be better? I hope gramps doesn't have him working on the holidays. Maybe we could get coffee again? No, better! I'll ask him to dinner! Or maybe I can get him to ask me. What if he doesn't like what I got him? I hope he does because I spent half my check on that stupid thing and I really want to tell him that I—"

"Atari!" Kagome couldn't hold it in any longer, her cousin had an annoying habit of going on and on and on "I think there's something I should tell you about Sesshomaru…" Her words were thick like syrup.

"What?" Atari asked intently. She sat up on her hunches, "I knew he said something about me when you guys were in the library."

"No it's not that," Kagome stumbled for something to say "It's something different."

"Well what?" Atari gave her a look of anticipation.

"I think…" Kagome started hesitantly "I think…"

"You think what?"

Kagome looked away from her cousin, "I think he has a girlfriend."

Although she couldn't see it, Kagome knew the look on her cousin's face was devastating.

"He what?" Atari's voice finally spoke "…I should've known…"

Kagome fought the shame working its way onto her face and turned back around, "Atari…"

Her cousin's eyes now resembled a leaky green pool as tears began to form in them, "No, I should've known. He's older and gorgeous. Of course he already has a girlfriend."

"I said I think he does," Kagome barely mumbled "There's still a chance—"

"How do you know?"

"Know what?" Kagome sat down beside her.

"That there's a chance? Kags I really, really, really liked this guy. I have been trying so hard to get him to notice me…look my way while he's walking by…and for what? To find out he's taken and all hope is lost." Atari stared at the floor, her bouncy brown curls falling around her face.

"Atari I—"

"You don't know how good you got it," Atari interrupted, her eyes locking on to Kagome's "You can have any guy on earth that you want…some of us aren't that lucky."

Kagome didn't know what to say. She plopped back against the cushions of the couch and ran a finger through her hair. What had she just done besides personally nominate herself for the world's worst cousin award?

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Hey everyone! I apologize for leaving you guys so long without an update! I suffered an enormous writer's block caused by a few family issues that took me a while to deal with. For all of you who have been waiting please forgive me!

Back to the fic.

Are there any questions so far? Is anyone confused by what's going on? I hope not but if so let me know!

I thought about Kagome just coming out and telling Atari about everything between herself and Sesshomaru but I decided on letting a much better suited character do that for her. Do you know who it is? Do ya? Nope! And you won't until the next chapter. =] . Guess all you want!

Aside from that, I know some of you are wondering what's happened to all the scenes between Sesshomaru and Kagome because I admit there haven't been many in the past two or three chapters. Well I noticed and I promise you will have the longest encounter between them yet in the next chapter because after all…there's a sleepover right?

Stay tuned everyone!

Love,

Ashley =]