CHAPTER 10

Yay, I'm not dead! (You probably guessed that since I updated other projects in the meantime…)
But guess what: New Years Resolutions. From now on I'm planning on updating every month. Yep, I plan on updating this thing here every month starting today. Keep your fingers crossed!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Have fun ^^

CHAPTER 10 Demons

WITH THE HIGURASHI'S

"Kagome! Rin! Breakfast is ready! Come down," Mama Higurashi called upstairs. The sisters cracked an eye open woken from their slumber. Their pets slowly clambered free from the large pile of clothes they had taken refugee in. Kagome really needed to wash.

"Coming!" the girls responded.

"Quick if possible," Misses Higurashi called again.

"Hai Mom," Kagome yelled.

"Did the explosion go off or is she that accepting?" Rin mumbled, as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Kagome grunted in response. It was unusual for their mother to forget herself, but it had happened sometimes when the girls did something worth more than house arrest. Though it hadn't happened often.

They went down into the kitchen still in their pyjamas. "Moring, Mom."

"Morning, honey," Misses Higurashi smiled. "Could you go get dressed first?"

"Sure."

And with that the sisters went back upstairs, parting ways at the bathroom. Rin entered while Kagome went back to her room. "Momoka, Caleb, Micina, come here," she told the pets. Slowly they emerged her clothes on the floor. "Go downstairs and calm Mom for me." She patted Micina's head. However the kitten just hopped onto Kagome's bed and looked up at her with innocent blue eyes. "Traitor." Kagome turned away to get her clothes.

Micina simply started to lick her paws in pure innocence. The dogs looked between the human and the cat, before they decided to join the side of the cat and sat down like some ancient statue from Egypt.

"Great. But don't expect me to bring your food up here." Kagome threw a red shirt over her head and put grey, baggy pants on. As soon as she turned around again, the dogs stood right in front of her, hatchelling. Micina in the background gave the Aktias a look that clearly said 'So easy to control those simpletons'.

"Kagome, Rin, we should get started!" Misses Higurashi could be heard. Kagome hurried through her morning routine in the bathroom before quickly heading downstairs. "What are the dogs doing here?" Kagome looked down to see the Akitas standing beside her, waiting for their breakfast. "Waiting for food, I guess…" She shrugged slightly. Her mother sighed: "Then get them something. When your sister comes downstairs we'll eat as well."

It didn't take long for Rin to come into the kitchen as well. "Good morning," she greeted again. Without further ado the three women sat down at the table and started breakfast. Kagome and Rin kept a wary eye on their mother, knowing fully well she would come back to their revelation from the day before.

"Okay, so I can see you looking. Don't even deny it." Mama Higurashi gave her daughters a sharp look. "And I know you expect me to give you some grand lecture. But honestly, I think you two are old enough to know for yourselves that what you did was wrong." Her eyes trailed over their faces. "Did you even think about the consequences? Those boys will never be able to fall in love that easily again. Your little game is a traumatizing experience for them."

Both daughters exchanged a worried glance. It was almost worse when their mother pulled this card than when she scolded them. "Well, we never planned for it to go this far to begin with," Kagome began.

"I don't care what you planned or didn't plan," her mother interrupted her. Scowling she looked the sisters over. "I thought I raised you were more mature. It makes me sad to know you are gambling with love, because love is no game. For neither party."

"We do know that." Rin lowered her gaze onto the table. "My decision was impulsive. I was curious what he saw in me. Kagome wouldn't be in this mess if not for me. She was forced back into her role, because I made a stupid decision and I am terribly sorry."

Misses Higurashi huffed: "Don't tell me you're sorry. The boy needs to hear the truth and your apologies. After all he is the one receiving the damage from your little farce." Kagome saw how Rin fought against the tears. She scolded us before in this calm and reasonable manner… Still it doesn't make it any easier. Especially, if you know you are in the wrong, but in over your head.

"I raised you to be honest and modest and graceful. Now live up to it," her mother went on. "What if they find out and decide to hurt you for the little gamble you've put up? What should I do then? I can't protect you forever. Just think of your mother sometimes."

"We do, Mama," Kagome spoke up. "We honestly do. However you said so yourself: You can't protect us forever. We are old enough to make our own decisions. Both of us are ware that this idea was a bad one. We will end it as soon as possible. Besides, gramps made sure we are trained well enough to defend ourselves against any attack we might face in the future." Rin nodded along with her speech, trying to calm their collective nerves. "I know you two are adults. It's sometimes hard for me to let you go. I am only happy you will stop this game soon. That is good news." Rin perked up: "Does that mean we won't get punished after all?"

Her mother laughed. "Nice try. But no, you'll get time to think your actions through. You two will sweep the yard and cleanse it of any rubble tourist have dropped on the shrine grounds." The sisters paled. Inuyasha will come around to get his dogs sooner or later… What will he think, if he finds me cleaning? Wait… Why do I care what he thinks about me? It isn't as if I am interested in him or anything like that.

"Um," Rin played with her fingers. "Actually I have to work today…" Misses Higurashi gave her a slightly too bright smile: "Then you better sweep quickly, eh?"

A chill ran down Rin's back as she frantically nodded her head. As sudden as the rage their mother felt had shown, it disappeared, leaving only a genuine smile behind. "Now go on and clean the yard. I have to go to work and am already running late." She stood and took her purse before heading to the door without bothering to put her plate in the sink.

At the door she turned around one last time, waving at Kagome and Rin. "Have a nice day sweeties!" Ignoring the stunned expressions on her daughter's faces she turned. "Oh by the way: I am invited to a dinner tonight at my friend's. So don't expect me to cook for you." She looked over her shoulder to wink at them.

"No problem. I'm going to cook." Kagome nodded her head though her mother couldn't see it any more. "Thank you," she called without turning around.

As soon as their mother had disappeared, both hopped off their chairs, cleaned the dishes and went outside to get their assignment done. While Rin rushed around to collect all the rubbish and throw it away, Kagome whisked with her broom. By the time the yard was clean, both sisters breathed heavily, feeling small beads of sweat run across their foreheads.

They stood side by side, Rin panting slightly, Kagome leaning onto the broom for support. "Go to work. I'll take care of the rest and then call Inuyasha. We have to get it over with this plan of yours," she told her sister.

Rin's eyes nearly popped out of her head: "You want to go with that plan?" Her sister began to whisk the yard again. "Of course. Kikyo wants to apologize to him and to see him one last time before she dies – again and this time for real."

Suspicious, Rin narrowed her eyes at her sister. Does she really want to do this? I don't know Kikyo that well I would have to ask Sara about her… No, I trust Kagome. She will handle it.

"Okay. Then seal the deal and tell me when and where I should be you." Rin nodded her head once. "But for now I have to get to work. Thank god I have a separate uniform in my locker there and can run for it."

"See you later." Kagome waved her hand at her sister, as she descended the stair flight.

I will finally meet Kikyo… Well, Rin will meet Kikyo as me. I should call him now. Before he comes to pick up Momoka and Caleb.Kagome pulled out her phone and hid her number before she called Inuyasha.

"Who the freaking hell is calling me this early and hasn't the guts to show his caller ID?!"

"Morning honey."

"Uh – Kikyo!"

Kikyo smiled to herself, as she heard his excitement even through the phone. "What do you want?" His words sounded a bit grumpy and he instantly winced at their sound. "I mean… Why are you calling me this early? Never thought you would be the morning type… Um, I'm just going to stop talking now." He chuckled nervously causing Kikyo to smirk the slightest bit. "I have decided about our date with this little friend of yours," she told him.

"Kagome? Oh, she's not really a friend of mine. I mean she was, but that's a long time ago," Inuyasha hurried to say. "Now she's more like a servant, watching my dogs and uh stuff."

Ouch! That actually hurt wench!Kaogme pulled her mouth in a thin line. "Whatever you say honey. When do you want us to meet?" Inuyasha sighed heavily: "I thought maybe the day after tomorrow in some nice café?"

No. I have to hide Rin's features in the dark. We look alike but not the same."I have an even better idea," Kikyo purred into the phone. "How about you let her take the Akita's for a night walk and we meet her 'by chance' in the park? I would love to see the dogs again. They're so cute."

"Anything you want sweetheart." Inyasha sounded, as if he wasn't really paying attention to the content of her words. Kikyo's dark eyes gleamed dangerously: I have him wrapped around my finger in less than three encounters. New record. He would do anything I ask of him, but I am not going to make use of it."Okay, see you then." Suddenly her voice sounded, as if she was in a hurry. "Bye honey."

Without waiting for an answer, Kikyo ended the call and transformed back into Kagome. Now I have to tell Rin, finish whisking, let the dogs do some work out and then bring them back to Inuyasha. Maybe Sango wants to help me? If I recall correctly she has her day off, after she had to work overtime the past days. Whatever she's working, still has to tell me that.

Kagome undid the hiding of her caller ID and texted Rin about their date with Inuyasha. Then she finished whisking the yard even before the only employee, a friend of her mother, came to open the gates for the public. After a short chat with Hitomiko, Kagome took Momoka and Caleb for a walk.

She sat on a bench and pulled her phone out once again. Scrolling through her contacts, she called Sango's number. "Hello?" a male voice answered. "Who's there?"

"I am sorry, I thought I called my best friend Sango, but I must have the wrong number." Kagome felt her cheeks turn hot, even though there was no real reason for it. "Oh no, you haven't," the man answered her. "Here's Miroku and Sango can't answer her phone at the moment." Something in his voice told Kagome there was something wrong. "What happened?" she asked slowly. "What happened to Sango?"

Miroku gulped audibly at the other end of the line. I have to tell Kagome. After all she's Sango's best friend. But she isn't allowed to know how it happened and there's no way in hell I'm letting someone see Sango, when she's not even conscious!

"Miroku? Just tell me the truth." Kagome deliberately pronounced every small syllable. "What happened to my dear Sango?" She chose a term close to his own, to show her affection for the older woman. That should convince him more than caring words… At least I hope so.

"Kagome, it's not that easy to explain. I don't even know myself how it exactly happened."

"Just spit it out already!" Kagome gave a slight growl.

"She's unconscious." Miroku could be barely heard over the phone. "My dearest Sango is unconscious."

"What?!" Kagome stared at her phone in shock. "Where is she? I'm coming over!"

"Inuyasha's mansion. In her room," Miroku sighed in defeat. I can't hold back this woman. At some times she has even more fire than Sango.

"I'll be there in half an hour. Announce me to Inuyasha." Kagome ended the call without receiving an answer from Miroku. "Momoka. Caleb. We're going home. Come!"

The Akitas lifted their heads up from the ground and stood. Impatiently, Kagome pulled at the leashes until the dogs were right beside her. She sprinted towards the Taisho mansion.

WITH INUYASHA

"You did what?" Inuyasha rubbed his eyes. "Kagome comes over to visit Sango," the human responded. "She will be here in less than thirty minutes." Under normal circumstances Inuyasha would have yelled at him for his stupidity, but the dark circles under Miroku's eyes stopped him from doing so. "You know we have to come up with some very creative excuse for Sango's state and why she stays at my house rather than, let's say, a hospital?"

Miroku merely nodded his head. Sighing, Inuyasha turned around to go talk to his brother – yes, Sesshomaru. At some point in my life, his aura is going to help. If Kagome asks him about Sango, he will make her loose interest in it in less than one second.

"Fluffy!" Inuyasha knocked at the door. "I have to talk to you!" No response. "Kagome is coming over to visit Sango and I was wondering if I should tell her the truth about us," Inuyasha went on. The door was ripped open.

"Don't you dare half breed," Sesshomaru snarled.

"I won't." Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest and grinned at the demon in front of him. "As long as you make sure she doesn't even ask this inconvenient question."

Sesshomaru's face went calm again, shutting down to the point were nobody could tell what he was feeling. Without another word, he brushed past his brother and walked down to the basement. Good boy, Inuyasha grinned at the back of his brother. You're heading to my demand; you just don't know it yet.

"Stop smiling half breed," Sesshomaru told him without looking back. "I'm not smiling!" Inuyasha argued. "Then stop grinning," Sesshomaru retorted blankly. "I do this for my own sake, not yours."

"Whatever you say Fluffy." Inuyasha's grin widened to the point it was an actual smirk. A malicious growl could be heard, as Sesshomaru's head disappeared from view. However the demon didn't turn around to show the half demon his place. Inuyasha knew though it would happen sooner or later. Most likely when I don't think about it anymore. I will have to be careful around him from now on…

The doorbell rang, causing Inuyasha's ears to flatten down on his head. She is fast. If she has a goal to achieve, she runs faster than even the devil could.He pulled the concealment charm over his head to hide his puppy ears. "Where's she?" Kagome's voice boomed in the entrance hall. "Where is Sango?"

"Calm down," Inuyasha told her, as he slowly walked down the stairs.

"I have to talk to you later." Kagome shot him a glare. "You can't just leave the dogs with me without bothering to tell me!" Inuyasha scratched behind his invisible dog-ears and avoided to look at her. "Sango was attacked by bandits and I somehow got drawn into the fight and… um yeah." He turned his eyes upwards to stare at the ceiling. "Sango got knocked out and I got a few minor scratches."

"As if I cared about your injuries," Kagome nearly hissed at him. "I am here to see Sango and bring Momoka and Caleb back home." He doesn't seem to care for me, whenever Kikyo is concerned, so why should I care for him now?Ignoring Inuyasha's shocked expression she ran past him and up the stairs, leaving the Akitas with him.

WITH KAGOME

"Sango!" Kagome rushed into the room she had slept in with Rin. "She hasn't awoken yet." Miroku sat at the right side of the bed. He looks so tired. Has he slept at all?Kagome asked herself. She took a seat to Sango's left side and looked into the peaceful face of her best friend.

"When did that happen? Inuyasha said something about bandits and being there. Why was he with Sango?" she wondered. Does he have another girlfriend?"They are really close. I guess Sango regards him as her older brother of sorts," Miroku spoke softly, as if he didn't want to wake Sango.

He never looks away from her, as if when he did it, she would stop breathing or disappear."Why are you here then? If you weren't there when it happened?"

"Inuyasha called me and informed me of it. He told me one of the servants with medical education had already taken care of her and she simply had to wake. He said something about a hit in the stomach and how she had hit her head on the pavement," Miroku explained.

"You love her, don't you?" Kagome studied his face carefully. Slowly, Miroku's eyes turned upwards to look into Kagome's brown orbs.

She is an amazing woman to sense these things just from looking and paying attention…"I love her with my very heart. Sango is more precious to me than my own life," he confessed. "I would have saved her from this fate, if I had been there."

"But Yasha is not to blame. He talked about more than one bandit. So assuming it were more than one, he probably had to fight for his own life and couldn't handle all at once."

Does Inuyasha even know how incredible this woman is?Miroku wondered briefly. Kagome is able to reconstruct situations simply by listening well and putting two and two together. Well, two and two wrong information but still."Probably." He nodded his head at her. "Why did we bully you at school? You're rather smart, maybe even smarter than me." Kagome smiled a sad smile at him: "Maybe because Inuyasha wouldn't let you see my real me? He didn't seem to like me and called me names since he dropped me in kindergarten."

"So you were friends?"

"Pretty close friends to be precise – until he found Koga."

Miroku shook his head. This guy is incredibly stupid for leaving such an amazing girl behind. And now he's drooling over Kikyo all over again, unable to see the princess right under his nose."Don't let him get to you," Miroku suggested her. Kagome merely giggled in response.

After a few minutes of silence, she raised her voice again, still sounding highly amused: "Why should I let a wench like him command my life?"

"Touché." Miroku nodded his head, then looked back down at Sango. She still hadn't moved an inch on the mattress. "You should tell her when she wakes," Kagome told Miroku. He knew what she was talking about, but was afraid, even terrified of the outcome. "She doesn't like me this way. She keeps slapping me…"

"And you keep groping her. I wouldn't be too pleased about it either," Kagome pointed out. "But I can tell she likes you. Like, a lot. Otherwise she would have started to avoid you. At least that's what I would do, if I disliked a person." She started a fake cough: "Inuyasha."

Miroku grinned against his own will at her. "You should go to the doctor to check that nasty cough of yours. Maybe it's contagious," he told her. "I sure will do that. But first you have to confess to her." Kagome motioned towards the sleeping Sango with her chin. A faint blush crept over the bridge of Miroku's nose. Oh how cute! He gets real embarrassed when he has to talk about his feelings!Kagome had to resist the urge to press her hands on her cheeks in adoration. Maybe Miroku isn't that bad of person after all. Sango is so lucky to have a man, who cares for her.

"I love you more than my own soul and I don't care whatever attitude you put up, because I know deep down you still love me!"

Kagome let out an inaudible sigh at the thought. Inuyasha loves Kikyo and not me. He would never love me the way he loves Kikyo. Especially not after what I did to him…

Miroku stared down at Sango, his eyes swirling with emotions no one could ever hope to decipher. "Promise me you tell her without any perverted behaviour," Kagome requested. Miroku's head shot up at her words. He definitely had been deep in thought, as he looked at the woman in front of her like a deer caught in the headlights. Slowly, a smile spread across his lips. "You know me by now Kagome."

"That's the problem. I don't want you to ruin this most romantic moment for Sango," she told him. "Well… You know… My hands are cursed…" Miroku scratched the back of his head with an awkward chuckle.

In the afternoon, Sango's parents came to bring their daughter home. Inuyasha must have told them at last. Miroku was allowed to come with them and keep watch over his dearest Sango. Kagome on the other hand was reminded of her duties with Momoka and Caleb. She found them in their room. Kagome fetched their leashes and told Inuyasha, she would take them for a walk.

"Be back at sunset," he told her. "My parents return home today and I want the dogs to be back by then."

Why does he even live with his parents? I mean they seem to be wealthy to some point? So why stay with them up to his age rather than moving out and into your own apartment?she wondered, as he shoved her out of the door. Momoka and Caleb tugged at the leashes and Kagome followed their lead without paying attention to where they were going. That was until she came across a strange woman. Her skin was as pale as porcelain, her long black hair went straight down her back and her pupils were very small. The most uncommon thing about her though were her six arms.

"Hello sweet little girl. I bet your blood is very delicious." She gave Kagome a wide grin, showing off long fangs. The younger woman stopped dead in her tracks. Her aura flared at the sight. This is no cosplayer… This is something different. Could it be, that demons still exist? No, there's no chance, is there?

The woman removed a small ribbon from her wrist and her lower body morphed into one of a centipede. Kagome screamed with horror and shock. "W-Who are you? What… What are you?" She stumbled several feet backwards, the dogs whining and tugging at their leashes to get her away from the strange thing. But Kagome's feet were frozen in spot, unable to move further.

"I am Mistress Centipede. I thought one could tell that." The woman gave a harsh laugh. "And I'm going to devour your sweet little body. The dogs will be my dessert." On impulse Kagome let go of the leashes of Momoka and Caleb, however the dogs didn't flee, but growled at the demon in front of them.

Are they insane? She wants to eat them and they don't run? I would certainly run, if she wanted to devour me – wait!Kagome's brown eyes widened in shock, as the words of the woman fully sank in. She in fact wants to devour me! I have to flee! Inuyasha promised to protect me, where is he now?

She spun on her heels and ran back towards Inuyasha's mansion. I have to get to him before she has the chance to!

Her feet hammered against the pavement.

"They always have to run," the demon purred beside Kagome. "But it wouldn't be any fun if they didn't."

Again, Kagome forced her feet to move even faster, if that was possible. The mansion wasn't far away by now. Unfortunately, Mistress Centipede seemed to have enough of the chase and gripped Kagome's ankles with one set of arms, letting the young woman trip over and fall face first onto the sidewalk. That's it! Now I will die,a voice in Kagome's head panicked.

A new set of loud screams ripped from her throat, as the demoness pulled her towards herself.

Something silver caught Kagome's eye. A figure in red flew above her head towards the demon. Tiny dog-ears twitched on the male's head, as he pulled his hand behind his head and lashed out at the creature. Bones cracked, as the male delivered a clear punch into the face of the demon. In an instant, the fingers around Kagome's ankles loosened and the girl sprang to her feet, dashing off to Inuyasha's mansion without looking back. She could hear loud smacking, bones cracking, bones splitting, before a yell ripped the tense sounds of the fight apart.

"Sankon Tesso!"

Still running towards the mansion, Kagome looked back to the fight over her shoulder. A gold light engulfed the body of Mistress Centipede. Kagome stopped moving without even noticing it. The light slowly faded away and there was no hint there had ever been a female demon.

The male one however stood to his full height his silver hair floating in a soft breeze. Momoka and Caleb stood at his sides and nuzzled their muzzles into his hands. Kagome turned around, as she saw the dogs side with the demon. They growled at the other demon and she was dangerous. They seem to like this one though.Could it be he isn't dangerous?

As if he sensed her looking at him, first his ears, then his head slowly turned around. Golden eyes clashed with her brown ones, a lopsided grin spread on his lips allowing one fang to poke into his lower lip.

Wait. I know him. I know that smile. This look!

Momoka and Caleb looked at her without turning their heads, as if she was crazy for running from this dog demon. They didn't seem to mind she didn't pay any attention to them, as she walked back to them. A few feet away Kagome stopped to look at the demon. Her eyes widened in shock, as she finally recognized him. "Inuyasha?"