Chapter Eleven: No Turning Back
Kagome woke up in the morning to her grandpa yelling. She groaned, and tried to hide further in her pillow, but he was very insistently yelling about sneaking a boy into her room.
Her eyes flew open and she sat up. Her grandpa stood in her doorway, holding a kendo shinai and pointing furiously at Inuyasha with it. Inuyasha, to his credit, was just standing there and covering his ears instead of yelling back-or worse, throwing a punch. Kagome scrambled out of bed and put herself between Inuyasha and her grandpa.
"Grandpa! Stop yelling! Calm down," she said. He shook his shinai.
"We raised you better than this, Kagome Higurashi!" he shouted.
"Wait, better than what? What do you think is going on?" Kagome asked.
"What is he, your new boyfriend?" her grandpa shouted. Then her mother-thank god for her mother-appeared in the doorway.
"Father! Enough, go downstairs and eat your breakfast. You're scaring Souta," she said. Somehow she managed to take control of the room without raising her voice beyond a normal speaking level. Grandpa tried to protest, but the look on his daughter's face was enough to banish him downstairs. Kagome looked at Inuyasha, who was still standing with his ears covered and a distinct deer-in-headlights expression. Then it occurred to her that maybe he wasn't covering his ears because of the yelling, but because the dog ears on top of his head were decidedly not human. She turned back to her mother.
"Mom, he's not my boyfriend!" she said before her mom could start scolding her for something she didn't do. Her mother just smiled, and walked past her to Inuyasha.
"Nice to meet you. I am Kagome's mother, but you can call me Hana. What's your name?" she asked. Kagome watched, mystified, as her mother treated Inuyasha just like any other friend she brought home after school to hang out with.
"I-Inuyasha," Inuyasha stuttered in response. He still held his hands over his ears, although it wasn't particularly helpful in disguising his half-demon nature. His claws, eyes, and hair were in full view, and when he talked you could see the tips of his fangs beyond his lips. Gently, Mama Higurashi took his hands and pulled them from his ears. Kagome could see how Inuyasha flinched when she caught sight of the fuzzy, triangular ears poking from his hair. She hoped her mom wouldn't do anything to-
Her mom squealed, putting her hands to either side of her face. Inuyasha jumped back, horrified.
"They're so cute!" her mom exclaimed, perhaps louder than Kagome had ever seen her. Inuyasha's eyes flicked between Kagome and her mother, unsure of what to do. Mama Higurashi stepped beside Inuyasha and put an arm around his shoulders, herding him towards the door of Kagome's room.
"There's breakfast ready downstairs, go ahead and get something to eat. Kagome and I will be down in a minute, but make yourself comfortable, dear," she said. Inuyasha started nodding at her words, and didn't stop until he was out the door and halfway down the steps. Mama Higurashi hung back at Kagome's door, and when Inuyasha was clearly able to walk on his own, she turned back to her daughter. Kagome smiled at her, hoping she'd be as easy as she was to Inuyasha. No such luck. Her mom crossed her arms and gave Kagome the look. You know the one.
Kagome decided it was better to talk before her mom had to ask any questions.
"I...um...mom, it's complicated," she managed to get out. Her mom raised an eyebrow.
"He slept on the floor, by the way. He's not my boyfriend. I tried to give him a blanket, but he said he didn't want one. He's weird like that. I mean, he's a half demon, but that's not what makes him weird. Or maybe it is, I don't know. I…" she was digging herself into a ditch pretty quickly.
"You're not home to get more clothes," her mom said. Kagome nodded.
"I...mom, things are really complicated right now," she said. And then the truth just started coming of her. Everything about her new friends, and about why she wanted to go to the Sector. How Ina was killed, how they think they knew who did it. How she thought her dad-
"Okay, honey, it's okay," her mom said. Kagome realized she was crying. When did she start crying? That wasn't something she did. Her mom, softened by the tears, walked over and guided her to the bed. They sat down next to each other, her mother's arm around her shoulder.
"I'm sorry mom, I didn't want to make you worry about all of this," Kagome sobbed. Her mom pulled back and cupped her face with both hands.
"Listen to me, Kagome. There is nothing that will worry me more than you keeping things from me. I'm just happy you told me what happened. I'm relieved you got out early, they haven't even told us anything about this poor Ina yet," she said. She hugged Kagome to her chest.
"But mom, I didn't want to tell you because I don't want you to worry when we go back," Kagome said, her voice slightly muffled in her mom's shirt. Her mom pulled back again, a concerned frown marring her features.
"Going back?" she asked. Kagome nodded. Her mom shook her head.
"Kagome, you aren't going back there! Not after you find out someone is after you!" she wasn't exactly yelling, but there was a tone of panic in her voice that put Kagome on edge. Her mom wasn't a panicky person.
"Mom. I have to go back. This guy has hurt so many people, and if we can find a way-"
"No. No, you can tell the police about this, this isn't something for a sixteen year old girl to get mixed up in," her mom said.
"Mom-"
"And your friend, he can stay here. We won't tell anyone. It's too dangerous back there anyway, he's better off with us," Mama Higurashi said. Kagome could see the cogs turning in her mom's brain. She was calculating the changes in grocery costs, how Inuyasha could fit in at the shrine, if he would sleep in Souta's or Grandpa's room, whether they could send him to school or if it would be too obvious he wasn't human. Kagome, instead of the anger she expected, felt touched. And she didn't want to argue with her mom, not right now. Not when it might be the last time she'd see her.
"Okay," she lied, "You're right, I'll stay." Her mom pulled her into another hug, then released her.
"Let's go eat, we can talk about all this later," she said. Kagome nodded, and followed her downstairs.
It was strange to see Inuyasha sitting at the breakfast table with her grandpa and brother. Souta was pestering Inuyasha with questions and stuffing his own face with pancakes. Inuyasha got a half answer in every few questions, but then her brother was onto the next thought, excited to finally meet a demon- "even if he was just half". Inuyasha was eating slowly, under the glare of her grandpa, but he brightened considerably when Kagome and her Mom entered the room. He looked up at them with the strongest 'save me' look Kagome had ever seen. And her mom, heeding his plea, scolded grumpy Grandpa and pestering Souta. She set another place at the table, and then they were eating breakfast like some normal family. Kagome sat next to Inuyasha, their elbows nearly touching at the now more crowded table. They both ate in silence, relieved to let Kagome's family chatter on. Mama Higurashi didn't mention anything about staying home, and Kagome was grateful to escape that conversation for the moment. Inuyasha kept sending her furtive glances, doubtless wondering when they would make their escape. After breakfast, she thought, wishing he had some sort of mind reading powers. After breakfast her Grandpa would walk the shrine, her brother would go get ready for school, and her mom would wash dishes. Then they could sneak out her window and be off to the train station before anyone knew.
After breakfast, Kagome dragged Inuyasha upstairs on the pretense of finding him some new clothes. When they got to her room, he stopped her.
"What did your mom mean, we were staying here?" he asked. Kagome frowned.
"You could hear that?" she asked. Inuyasha pointed to his ears.
"Yes, yes I could. What are you thinking, crazy wench?" he demanded. Kagome rolled her eyes.
"Relax, dog boy," she said, "We're sneaking out now to go to the train station. I'll zap you and we'll be back in the Sector before my family can do anything about it. Understand?"
"You lied to your mom?" Inuyasha asked, like the concept had never occurred to him before.
"Yes! Now let's go!" Kagome hissed.
They were out the window in less than a minute. Inuyasha had to be more careful in his route during the day, it was too easy to spot them if he scaled buildings in broad daylight. Instead, he ran through alleys and up fire escapes, avoiding any major foot traffic. It took about ten minutes to get to the station. Kagome figured her mom was finding out that they weren't in the house about then, and it would only take her a little bit longer to realize they weren't at the shrine at all. She zapped Inuyasha behind the train station, then they ran to the ticket booth and presented their passes. The man behind the glass didn't ask any questions and just gave them their tickets with a dull expression on his face. Still, Kagome didn't breathe until they were on the train and moving. She and Inuyasha sat next to each other, their backs to the window.
"...I like your mom. She's nice," Inuyasha said.
"...Yeah," Kagome replied.
"You should've stayed," Inuyasha said. Kagome shook her head.
"I can't. Not while he's out there," she replied. Inuyasha shifted in his seat, his knee brushing against hers accidentally. She felt herself shiver at the contact, but tried to ignore it. He seemed unaffected.
"He...he's hurt too many people," she continued, "You, me, my family, all those demons he's killed, who didn't do anything wrong. Until we kill the demon who murdered my father, I can't leave it alone."
Inuyasha shifted his knee again, pressing it against hers. This time it was clearly intentional. The light touch seemed to be his way of comforting her in the crowded train. Then he moved away again. They stayed that way, silent, until they pulled into the station at the Youkai Sector. The other passengers had filtered out, and it was just the two of them. When the train slowed to a stop, Inuyasha stood and walked towards the door without looking back. Sighing, Kagome stood and followed him. She didn't like the way her heart hoped he would slow down, maybe brush her elbow as they walked side by side. That wasn't what she was here for.
Human students lazed about in the dorm, bored but too anxious to do anything. Inuyasha had snuck Kagome back in the window, and she was searching the floors for her friends. She suspected Inuyasha was sitting on the roof of the dorm rather than returning home like she told him to. He'd tried to argue with her, and when she shut the window on his complaints the stubborn look on his face said he wasn't going anywhere.
She found Sango and Rokuro with Karin in her room. Sango, upon catching sight of Kagome in the doorway, jumped up to greet her.
"You got out?" she asked. Kagome nodded, glad that Myoga had sent her friends word of their plan. She didn't want to scare them again if she could help it. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the missing page with the illustrations of the Spider King. Sango took it from her and unfolded it, showing it to Rokuro and Karin.
"He's a shapeshifter," Kagome explained.
"So cool…" Karin muttered. Both Sango and Rokuro gave her strange looks.
"I mean, cool in a majorly bad way," she amended. Kagome sat down at Karin's desk chair, and relayed what Myoga had told her about the Spider King.
"He just changed into someone else and disappeared after he attacked the Poison Masters," she finished. Sango looked up from the illustrations, brow furrowing.
"What is it?" Kagome asked. Sango leaned over to Karin's desk and pulled out her copy of the textbook for Understanding the Youkai Sector. She flipped to a page in the middle of the book, then turned it around for the others to see.
"The Poison Master clan came to the Sector in the first few days of its opening. Three brothers, with all their servants. Two of the brothers have died since they got here."
"The Youkai Killer?" Kagome asked. Sango shook her head.
"An experiment gone wrong and and a duel over a potential mate. Mr. Ooturo talked about how their deaths led to tighter restrictions on dueling and weapons in the class you missed."
"What about the last brother?" Rokuro asked.
"Still alive, and three times as rich as he would've been. He contributed nearly half of the funds for the Education Program. More importantly, he was there when the Spider King was supposed to be killed." Sango replied.
"And he could give us a first hand account," Rokuro added. Sango nodded.
"What are we waiting for?" Karin said, standing, "Let's go!"
"But the guards-" Karin walked over to her window and opened it.
"I've got a first floor room, remember?" she said. Before any of them could reply, she climbed out the window. A flash of silver flew into view, and suddenly Inuyasha was standing beside her. He looked into the window, glaring at Kagome.
"Listen, wench," he said, "Next time I got something to say, don't just slam the window and walk away." Karin peered at him, glee on her face.
"This is the guy?" she asked Kagome. Kagome nodded.
"He's hot!" Karin exclaimed. She reached up and tweaked one of his ears.
"And the ears are so cute!" Inuyasha, growling a little, swatted her hand away.
"Ey, keep your hands to yourself!" he snapped. Karin grinned.
"Sorry," she said, "I'm Karin! Nice to finally meet you. I've been feeling a little left out." Inuyasha glanced at her briefly, then focused on Kagome again.
"Look," he said, "We need to get this guy before he comes after you again. Sitting around on our asses ain't gonna do that." Kagome stood and walked over to the window.
"Can you get us to the Poison Master clan house?" she asked.
Inuyasha grumbled about it, but he carried them all over the campus wall one by one. Then, complaining under his breath, he led them on foot down alleys until they came to the house of the Poison Master clan. It was a relatively easy trek, considering that most Youkai were staying indoors. They only had to avoid a few clan patrols-the Sector version of beat cops-who weren't powerful enough to sense Kagome's muffled spiritual powers.
"I don't like this," Inuyasha said to Kagome. They stood across the street from the house.
"Why not?" Kagome asked, annoyed.
"Me either," Sango cut in, "Kagome should've stayed behind." Inuyasha nodded in agreement, annoying Kagome further.
"Why? I'm the one the Spider King is after, and he has the information we need!"
"You're too vulnerable out here," Sango said, "We should go back."
"What?" Karin said, "We got all the way out here and we're just gonna turn around."
"Yes," Inuyasha said, grabbing Kagome's arm and making to pull her back the way they came. She tugged her arm out of his grasp and scowled.
"Karin and I are going in. You guys can leave if you want to," she snapped. She knew it was a childish thing to say, but dammit she wasn't turning around!
"How about Karin and I go, and you three stay here," Rokuro suggested. Kagome glared at him, and he wavered a little under her gaze.
"I-I mean," he said, "It's a good compromise, right? We'll ask all the questions and report back with what we know. In the meantime, Sango and Inuyasha can protect you out here, where you can make a quick getaway." He smiled amiably. Still unhappy, Kagome nodded. She could see the reason in his words, even if she didn't like it.
"Great!" Karin said, linking her arm with Rokuro's.
"See you guys in a bit!" she said. Then she practically dragged him across the street. Kagome watched, tense, as she knocked on the door.
"Calm down," Inuyasha whispered to her.
"What?" she asked.
"Your spiritual energy is going crazy," he said. Kagome took a deep breath, closing her eyes and reaching inward. She tried to still the flickering power inside her, soothing it like an angry animal and-
Her breath caught as a familiar presence appeared at the periphery of her senses. She opened her eyes, and saw that the door to the Poison Master house had opened. Karin and Rokuro were talking to a tall man with pale skin and dark hair. Reaching out, Kagome grasped Inuyasha's arm.
"Ow, let go!" he said.
"That's him," Kagome hissed.
"What?" Sango asked. Kagome pointed at the man.
"That's him. He's the Spider King," she frantically whispered. She watched, horrified, as Karin and Rokuro disappeared into the house. They had no idea what they were walking in to. As soon as the door closed, Kagome started to run across the street. Inuyasha caught up to her in a couple paces, forcing her to stop.
"Hell no!" he growled, "There's no way you're going in there!" Kagome flung her arm out towards the house.
"He's gonna kill them!" she said, "We have to go!"
"I-shit," Inuyasha said. He picked Kagome up and sprang across the street, landing in the bushes in front of the house. The branches and leaves scratched Kagome's skin, but she didn't move a muscle as a patrol walked by. They were close-too close-and she gave a quick prayer that they wouldn't notice her spiritual energy. Inuyasha wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer to his chest as if he could hide her aura with his own. His ears turned furiously, searching for any sound to suggest they would be caught. After a few minutes, he relaxed his hold. Still, Kagome was too nervous to move.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I shouldn't have run out in the street." Inuyasha grunted, not meeting her eyes.
"Sorry I grabbed you," he muttered. He didn't sound incredibly sorry, but it was the closest thing to an apology Kagome figured she'd get out of him. Seconds later, Sango found them. She crouched down in the bush next to Kagome.
"What's the plan?" She asked. Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged glances. They weren't ready for this. Sure, they knew they'd confront the Spider King eventually, but he was right in front of them, and he had two of their friends in his house. Inuyasha squared his jaw, glaring at the house.
"Let's go," he growled. Sango nodded.
"I'm with you," she said, pulling a small blade from her sleeve. Kagome's heart clenched, but she nodded as well.
Inuyasha kicked in the door. The large wooden door with big hinges and a sturdy lock. Kagome watched, astonished, as it flew into the room beyond and skidded across the floor.
"Stay behind me," Sango said to Kagome, then she and Inuyasha moved into the foyer. Several demons appeared immediately, all bearing the Poison Master crest. Inuyasha and Sango jumped into action. One of the demons threw a punch at Sango, but she ducked easily and jabbed at his armpit with a fist. He flinched away, curling around the hit. She hooked him behind the knee with a foot and he went down, hard. Where Sango was finesse, Inuyasha fought like an animal. He sunk his claws into one demon's leg, pulling him off his feet mercilessly. When two came at him simultaneously, he grabbed their heads and literally knocked them together. Kagome winced at the loud cracking sound that ensued. When the two fell to the ground, they didn't rise again.
"Come on!" Sango shouted as she skirted into the next room. Kagome followed her, avoiding the demons already on the ground. When she turned to see the room, Kagome gasped. Karin and Rokuro were slumped over on the wooden floor, unconscious. She ran to them, ignoring Sango's shout to stay back. With relief, she saw they were breathing, but in the next moment a deep dread filled her. She looked up to see the tall dark haired man standing over her. Naraku, the last Poison Master. The Spider King. Fearfully, she looked up at him. She was frozen-as frozen as she'd been when he showed up at her archery practice. He smiled at her, but it was far from a comforting sight.
"And I thought I'd have to go out there and get you," he said, "Kikyo." He reached down and grabbed her by the collar of her shirt, pulling her to her feet. Leaning down, he put his face very close to hers. Kagome tried to lean away, but he didn't let her.
"You're very clever, you always were. But bringing that mutt here? You wound me. I must return the favor," he said. He raised a hand, and Kagome saw a greenish mist starting to gather around it. She started struggling harder as he brought his hand towards her face. He twisted a stray lock of hair around his fingers, and a sickly smell rose to Kagome's nose as it melted away into nothing.
Suddenly he jerked back. Kagome opened her eyes to see Sango's knife sticking out of his hand. She'd thrown it from across the room and was shouting at the demon to let Kagome go. With a hiss, he dropped Kagome and pulled the little knife from his palm. Holding the blade up, he melted it with more of his dangerous mist. Kagome felt a hand on her arm. Sango yanked her away from the demon, and back towards the front door. Looking up, Kagome saw Inuyasha with Karin slung over one shoulder and Rokuro over the other. He skidded to a halt just short of the foyer doorway, when a group of menacing demons appeared in front of him.
"Change of plans!" he shouted, and darted towards the other door in the room. Kicking it open, he ran through. Sango and Kagome ran after him as fast as they could. They found themselves in a hallway with a staircase at the end. Inuyasha barreled down it, hardly slowed by the two humans hanging from his shoulders. Sango pushed Kagome ahead of her, forcing her to run between them.
They dashed up the stairs, one flight, two flights, then three. Kagome had never run so fast in her life. Her legs burned, and she could hardly think. She tripped over a step, and went down hard onto the edges of the stairs with a cry. Inuyasha whirled around, and made to get her, then realized he had no way to carry her and the other two.
"Keep going!" Sango shouted to him, pausing to help Kagome back to her feet. He hesitated, but then continued up the steps.
"Kagome, we gotta go," Sango said. Kagome nodded dumbly, and tried to force her shaking limbs to work. Her foot faltered again, and she slid down a step. A loud crash sounded from below them. Distracted, Kagome peered through the balusters. On the first floor, she could see a giant mass of flesh recovering from its collision with the wall. In the next second, the monstrous creature started to quickly slither up the steps.
"Oh god," she muttered. Sango, realizing she was useless at this point, just picked her up and started running. They caught up to Inuyasha at the top of the steps. He was throwing himself against a door, trying to get it open. Sango put Kagome down and went to help him. Kagome got shakily to her feet, looking over the banister to the approaching creature of flesh and smoke.
"Fuck!" Inuyasha shouted, digging his claws into the door in anger. Kagome glanced at Sango and Inuyasha. They needed more time. Holding tightly to the railing, she started to walk down the steps. She clenched a fist, willing her spiritual energy to life. Inuyasha paused, looked back to see her. He stepped away from the door to go to her, but Kagome turned to glare at him. Under her fierce gaze, he nodded, and she turned away to face the demon that was hurtling up the stairs towards them.
She closed her eyes, thinking back to that day during archery practice. She'd used her powers then. They'd flooded out of her in all directions, knocking dozens of demons out. If the Spider King was really a youkai who stole the powers of others, certainly she could put a dent in him. She felt the spiritual energy filling her, sliding through her veins. She kept pulling at it, forcing more and more into herself. Then she put her hands out. She could feel the Spider King's presence. He came closer and closer, a writhing mass of patchworked youki forced to the will of a single consciousness.
Just a little closer, Kagome thought. She grit her teeth at the effort to keep all the spiritual energy focused. Her entire body was tingling, and her arms started to feel very heavy.
There!
Kagome released her spiritual energy down the stairs, right towards the Spider King. The wave of pink light collided with his youki, and they sprung off of each other like oil and water. Then her energy pushed forward again, eating into his presence. A shriek sounded through the stairwell, and the creature before her started to rapidly retreat. Her spiritual energy, imbued with her determination, followed him. A loud crack behind her told Kagome that Sango and Inuyasha had finally gotten the door open. Someone-Sango-grabbed her from behind and pulled her out onto the flat roof of the building. It was a greenhouse, filled with all manner of demonic plants for mixing the toxins Poison Masters were so famous for. Kagome's head started to get fuzzy, and her legs collapsed beneath her. Sango kept her from falling to the ground, but was struggling to lift her limp body. Kagome heard the sound of breaking glass, and then a wave of sharp pains, like pinpricks, washed over her. Something roared, and dry crackling heat filled the air. The roof shook, Sango held Kagome tightly to her chest, and then there was just darkness.
With a gasp, Kagome sat up out of the darkness. Wildly, she looked at her surroundings, and found herself in a familiar room. It was the room where Sesshomaru had housed her the night she and Inuyasha met. She threw off the blankets and forced herself out of bed, despite the protestations of her leg muscles. She was no longer wearing her normal clothes, but instead had an oversized Yukata tied loosely around her. Nearly tripping over the fabric, she grabbed up the skirts and held them as she ran to the door. She threw the door open and ran down the hall towards the front rooms of the house. Bursting into a sitting room, she stopped short. Her friends stared back at her. Sesshomaru stood in the center of the room, and Rokuro, Sango, and Karin were seated in chairs around the room. Inuyasha stood at the far end of the room, mid pace. Kagome dropped the skirt of the yukata, and arranged the front to be a little neater.
Then, no longer able to contain herself, she ran to Karin and Rokuro and swept them up in a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry," she said, "This is all my fault, we never should have sent you guys in there. It was dumb, and I'm so, so sorry!" She pulled away when Sesshomaru cleared his throat loudly.
"It was dumb," he said. Suddenly Kagome understood he'd been in the middle of soundly scolding them. Karin pulled her down into a large chair, sharing the oversized cushion with her. She grasped Kagome's hands with her own, and it was at least some small comfort after having seen her unconscious and helpless.
"What were you thinking?" Sesshomaru asked coldly, staring down at Kagome. She bit her lip, not having any justifiable answer ready.
"Leave her alone, it's not just her fault" Inuyasha said, irritated. Sesshomaru turned to him.
"You're right. I knew you were an idiot, brother, but I thought you at least had some sense of self preservation. Turns out you jump at the chance to be a fool," Sesshomaru replied. Inuyasha scoffed.
"Yeah yeah, talk it up. Who decided to bring her to the Sector in the first place? Myoga told us you knew about her dad," Inuyasha said. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, but did not reply. He focused back on the humans in the room.
"I've informed the school of your whereabouts. Considering their ineptitude in your guardianship, I've decided you will stay here until it is time to return to your families. I've sent for your belongings. Do not try to leave this house," he said. He turned with a swish of his silk robes, and made to leave.
"You aren't going to do anything about the Spider King?" Kagome blurted out. Sesshomaru paused, and looked back over his shoulder.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he replied. He exited, leaving Kagome's question hanging. She looked at Inuyasha.
"That's bull. He's really not going to do anything? We just found out who the Youkai Killer is!" Kagome asked. Inuyasha growled.
"Asshole," he muttered.
"We can tell the police when we get out," Rokuro suggested.
"What about Inuyasha?" Karin pointed out, "What happens if people find out he's a half demon living in the Sector?"
"Heh, I'll be fine," Inuyasha said, "But if we tell the cops I won't get the chance to take the bastard down myself."
"Are you kidding? Did you see what he could do?" Kagome said. Inuyasha grinned.
"I saw that you zapped him pretty good. He's weak now, and it'd be the perfect time to attack. By the time you tell the cops and they get their shit together, he'll be back to full strength."
"And who knows who he'll be?" Sango added quietly. Ah, there was that. He could turn into anybody, disappear into the crowd and assume the identity of any demon in the Sector.
"Then it's settled," Inuyasha said, "We take him down."
"How exactly are we going to do that? Sesshomaru won't let us leave this house, and then we'll be shipped off to the mainland." Kagome asked. There was a moment of silence between them.
"We'll figure something out," Sango said, her tone gentle.
"I'm more worried about how we defeat the Spider King," Rokuro said. Inuyasha flexed his claws.
"I can take him," he said. Karin giggled, and Inuyasha shot her a glare.
"Oh, you're not joking?" she asked. Kagome fought back a smile. Sometimes she really loved Karin.
"She's right," Sango said, "It'll take all of us. I need my weapons from campus, and Rokuro…" She trailed off, looking to him for confirmation. Rokuro nodded.
"I can help in other ways," he said, "Put me against a crowd of bad guys and I'll do some serious damage." Kagome looked between Rokuro and Sango. She hadn't realized Rokuro had told her about his Kaazana.
"If we can cause a big enough disruption to get you close, do you think you could purify him?" Sango asked Kagome. Kagome raised her hand to touch the jewel pouch.
"Maybe," she said, "But it took a lot out of me just to scare him off. I don't have nearly enough training for this."
"You can do it," Inuyasha said. Kagome looked to him, surprised. He watched her resolutely.
"You can do it," he repeated, "I'll make sure you get an opening." She gave him a small smile. Beside Kagome, Karin stood and clapped her hands together once.
"Then it's up to me to make sure we can get out of the house. After all, I won't be much good in a fight. Let me see what I can do!"
She practically skipped out of the room towards where Sesshomaru had disappeared to.
"What is she going to do?" Inuyasha asked.
"With her, who knows?" Rokuro replied.
Kagome sat back in the chair, taking a deep breath. She closed her eyes, looking inward to find the source of her spiritual power. She had to look harder than usual, finding the well of energy largely depleted by her stunt in the Poison Master house. But it was there, slowly replenishing itself. Something twinged in Kagome's head, a presence on the edge of her senses. She opened her eyes, sitting up in the chair.
"What's wrong?" Sango asked.
"Nothing...It's nothing," Kagome replied. No one believed her, but they didn't press further. Kagome stood.
"Could I get some food?" she asked Inuyasha. He nodded.
"Follow me," he said. Kagome looked to Sango and Rokuro, but they shook their heads. They'd eaten while she was asleep. Smiling at them, Kagome followed Inuyasha into the hall and towards what she hoped was a well stocked kitchen.
Karin found Sesshomaru giving instructions to some demons on where to put the her and her friends' belongings. She walked up to him confidently, hands clasped together behind her back, watching as the demons followed his orders as quickly as they could.
"Can I help you?" Sesshomaru asked her, mildly irritated.
"No," Karin said. He started to walk towards his study, and Karin trailed behind him like a lost duckling. He turned, looking down at her warily. She smiled brightly at him. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, tensing a little.
"What?" Karin asked.
"Are you sure I can't help you?" he asked. Karin shrugged.
"I'm just bored," she said.
"You may help yourself to anything here. There is an ample library," Sesshomaru suggested.
"Can you show me?" Karin asked. Stiffly, Sesshomaru nodded.
"Great!" Karin said. She waited for him to move, and followed quietly behind when he led the way. Sesshomaru pursed his lips. She was all too familiar, he'd noticed it from the moment he got a good look at her. This was a day he's hoped would never come.
"I'm sorry," Sango said to Rokuro, "I shouldn't have suggested you could use your wind tunnel without asking you first." Rokuro shrugged, holding his gloved hand up.
"It's okay, really," he said. He looked at Sango, who was watching him with a guilty look on her face.
"I mean it," he said, "Besides, I always swore I would use this thing to kill the demon that cursed my family. It's why I came to the Sector. I think that I'll get that chance very soon."
"You found out where he was?" Sango asked. Rokuro smiled, and pulled the page of illustrations from his pocket. He opened it and tapped the baboon cloaked figure. Sango took the paper, reexamining the drawing.
"You think the one who cursed your family is the Spider King?" she asked. Rokuro nodded.
"The timeline fits. The Spider King was active around the same time my first ancestor was cursed. And the baboon cloak? Too much of a coincidence. Anyway, we'll find out when Kagome defeats him." Sango handed him the paper back.
"If Kagome defeats him," she replied, "I didn't want to say it in front of the others, but...this is a long shot. He's a centuries old demon with the power of all the youkai he's killed. We're a group of teenagers. If it weren't for Sesshomaru and his secret dragon, we wouldn't have gotten out alive the last time." Rokuro shifted onto the couch she was sitting on.
"Hey," he said, "Don't think about that."
"How can I not?" Sango asked. Rokuro resisted the urge to take her hand. It was rare that she was this open around him, and he didn't want to scare her off. So he kept his hands to himself and tried to find the right words.
"Sango...you are the single strongest person I've ever met. And not just because you can kick some major demon ass. I know you'll fight harder than anyone to get Kagome close enough to do what she needs to. With you on our side, we can't lose," he said. It was a pretty speech, and he meant every word. He only hoped that she believed him. He felt a grin break over his face when she quirked up the corners of her lips.
"Thank you," she said. Rokuro felt his heart do a flip flop. Damn, he was done for.
Kagome walked around the giant kitchen with wide eyes. It could've been in a five star restaurant, it was so nice. Obviously Sesshomaru would have this type of kitchen, he was bound to have a whole team of chefs to make food for him. Inuyasha stood awkwardly in the center of it all, pointing out the walk in fridge, the freezer, the pantry, etc. After a prolonged pause to take it all in, Kagome started to search the fridge for eggs and bacon. She was in the mood for some serious breakfast food. As she fished around for a good pan and some butter, she expected Inuyasha to leave her to her cooking. Instead he hung around, finding a stool in the pantry and settling down to watch her. She was far too happy about his presence for her own liking, and mentally scolded herself as she started to heat the butter in the pan.
"Want any?" she asked as she portioned out the eggs and bacon. Inuyasha hesitated, but nodded.
"If you're making it anyway…" he mumbled.
"Okay," Kagome replied. It was an oddly mundane moment, even as the threat of the Spider King hung over them. It was like Inuyasha was just another friend Kagome was hanging out with for the day. Or a guy she was making breakfast for. She felt herself flush a little and banished the thought. As if. She had more important things to worry about, anyway.
