Chapter Ten: A Painful Awakening

The first feeling he felt surge through him when he woke, was the sudden jolt of intense pain. It lashed out at him in his sleep and he felt his entire body stiffen in reflex. A strong arm wrapped around him tightly and he struggled frantically as his body spasmed with the pain coursing through his veins.

Fire seeped slowly through his blood and he choked back a sob. Never in his life had he felt this kind of pain when he transformed from human to hanyou, but also he had never fallen asleep either. Inuyasha's eyes rolled back into his head as another spasm over took all his muscle control and he felt the arm tighten around him.

His head rammed back into something hard, and his hearing was lost. He heard the crack as his head slammed against the solid surface, and then his hearing left him. Inuyasha knew his mouth was open in a silent scream, but he didn't know if he was actually quiet or not. At that particular moment, he really didn't care.

He knew his claws ripped through something soft, and he curled into himself as another painful jolt wracked his body. Again his muscles seized, and he felt his chest constrict.

His heart rammed against his chest hard and finally a comforting blackness seized all thought and feeling.

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Sesshoumaru stared down at Inuyasha in horror. His brother was once again hanyou, but the seizures that his brother had had terrified him. Now Inuyasha lay limp in his arms, his skin covered in a sheen of sweat. Sucking his breath in sharply, Sesshoumaru glanced down at his shredded arm.

Blood pooled along the long slashes and he swallowed. That and the pain of his brother ramming his head back against his left him feeling slightly out of it. They had both fallen asleep not long after the movie had started, but being woken up by his brother's thrashing left him bewildered and speechless.

Finally Inuyasha groaned and shifted. His hand lifted slowly and he rubbed his head where he had connected with his own.

"What the hell happened? Inuyasha moaned pitifully.

Sesshoumaru shook his head, his eyes wide. "You tell me."

Inuyasha shook his head and whimpered. "That hurt."

Sesshoumaru nodded and released Inuyasha. Sitting back, he watched his brother sit up and rub his abused head.

"What did you do to me?" Inuyasha accused, turning his gaze to Sesshoumaru, but the words died off, seeing the bloodied arm. "Did I do that?" He gaped.

Sesshoumaru nodded, and leaned his back against the wall wincing at the dull throb that entered his head.

Inuyasha whimpered low and took the arm in his hands and studied the long, bleeding gashes wordlessly. "Sess, gomen. I didn't…"

"Enough, it will heal. It wasn't entirely planned out on your part was it?" Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and then closed them.

Inuyasha mumbled, releasing the arm. "Iie. Still…" He frowned. "Next time, will you please wake me before the sun rises?" He grumbled this time.

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and glanced at his brother, who sat with his arms wrapped around his torso shuddering. "I've never felt like that before. It was…"

"I thought you were having a seizure, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru stated, cutting off his brother.

Sighing, Inuyasha stood up and stretched. "Well, at least I have a month before that happens again." He grinned.

Sesshoumaru shook his head with a frown. He stood and began walking towards the door of his brother's room. "I'll put some coffee on."

Inuyasha nodded and watched his brother leave, and he sighed. Had his brother been that upset over his transformation? Or was it because he had never asked for help before? Shrugging, Inuyasha walked to the dresser and took out a fresh pair of shorts and a shirt. Whatever the reason was, Sesshoumaru had been the first to witness the transformation, and never before had Inuyasha experienced pain due to it.

He walked out of the room and entered the bathroom. The new house was nice, simple and spacious. He had walked down the hall lost in thought and he opened a door to enter the room and cursed his ill luck. Inuyasha snorted, shutting the door after exiting the room. "Well at least it's a big closet." He scoffed, turning away from the empty hall closet. The next room he entered happened to be the laundry room, of course this time he had followed his nose to find water, but it wasn't the water he had been wanting. Growling low in his throat, Inuyasha tried another room, and found that one to be a larger master bedroom. "Curse it. Sess! Where's the damn bathroom?" He shouted.

"Downstairs, baka." His brother's words drifted up to him and Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Of course it is." He mumbled. Inuyasha descended the stairs and walked past the kitchen sniffing his way to the bathroom. "Found the laundry room, by the way." He mumbled as he past the kitchen. The door slammed behind him followed by a loud eruption of curses. The door opened and Sesshoumaru smirked.

"End of the hall, Inuyasha." He stated, holding his laughter inside.

A string of curses drifted into the kitchen and Sesshoumaru shook his head. "How original." He smirked, and turned his attention once again to the dripping coffee pot. There had to be a faster way to make coffee.

Sesshoumaru heard the shower start and he glanced over his shoulder looking at a bunch of boxes scattered around the floor and he sighed. Before he was able to make it to the first box, he heard a pop and a loud cry of rage and then a yelp of surprise, followed by a loud thump.

Blinking, Sesshoumaru glanced in the general direction of the bathroom, and heard a string of curses and then the opening of a door. Frowning, he waited, and gaped when Inuyasha arrived at the kitchen naked and holding the shower spout in his hand. On the hanyou's forehead was a large red welt.

"Not your day, is it?" Sesshoumaru smirked.

Inuyasha threw the spout down, satisfied that it bounced off the ground and turned away angrily. "Need a new shower head." He grumbled.

Sesshoumaru grinned and stared at the silver item lying on the ground only a foot away from him. Shaking his head, he opened the box and stared at the utensils and small plates. There had to be a box of mugs in one of these cardboard things, right? Opening box after box, Sesshoumaru growled as the coffee pot gurgled signaling its final perking and he sighed.

Inuyasha walked into the kitchen several minutes later and blinked stupidly at his brother, who was currently sitting at a kitchen table with the twelve cup coffee pot in his hand, drinking right out of it.

"What the hell are you doing?" Inuyasha gaped.

"No cups." Sesshoumaru snarled, and then grinned.

Inuyasha snorted and glared at his older brother. "Where's mine?"

Sesshoumaru glanced at his half drunk pot and shrugged. "Find some cups and I'll share."

"Keh!" Inuyasha crossed his arms and stared at all the open boxes on the floor and sighed. "I guess we have a busy day unpacking."

"Is there a point in unpacking? Who knows when this house will be attacked? I'll give it two weeks." Sesshoumaru mumbled, bringing the pot to his mouth and drinking some of the prepared coffee.

Snorting, Inuyasha stalked out of the kitchen and yelled out. "What happened to all the other stuff we had?" He walked into the living room and saw a bunch of labeled boxed and started opening one after another; searching for stuff they might need for the day.

"Blew up." Came the reply, harsh, sarcastic and pointed.

Inuyasha snorted. He opened one box and burst into laughter at what he had found. "I found the cups." He called out. "Oh and it's with the bathroom stuff."

He heard Sesshoumaru's snort and then water running, along with a loud sloshing noise. Soon after his brother cried out in surprise and he lifted his head blinking. "What happened?"

Sesshoumaru walked into the room and glared at his younger brother, who stared and then burst into laughter. "What's so funny?" He growled.

Inuyasha clutched his stomach and stared at a rather wet youkai. "Who bought this house?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "And who packed up all this crap?" He grumbled.

Sesshoumaru scowled and shook his head. "I suppose we have to call a plumber."

"I'm assuming the tap broke?" Inuyasha smirked. Sesshoumaru's hair was plastered to his forehead, and the long silver locks were damp at the back. The whole front of Sesshoumaru's clothes were soaked, but the back was dry.

"Hai, and our kitchen is flooding." Sesshoumaru snarled, picking up the phone.

Inuyasha shook his head and ruffled through the boxes for a moment more, before shoving them away. "This is just great." He growled. "Now what are we supposed to do? Is this place permanent?"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and shrugged. "We will make do, otouto. For now we must ready ourselves for work. You have to go to the restaurant and make sure restocking orders are being done, and that the place is being run smoothly."

Inuyasha stood and stretched. "Alright, but what about you?"

Sesshoumaru gave his little brother a small smile. "I will head to the office and make sure nothing is out of place, if you get my meaning."

Inuyasha snorted and left the room instead of commenting. He knew what his brother was referring to. Those files were obviously something important, so them falling into the wrong hands was out of the question. He walked to his room and glanced around at a few of the scattering of boxes and opened one. Wrinkling his nose, he pulled out a plain t-shirt and a pair of shorts. He knew being the boss made him responsible for dressing appropriately, however after the night he had just had, there was no way he was confining himself into a pair of dress pants. If anything, he would hide himself from view out of the patron's way.

He descended the stairs after he dressed and rubbed his throbbing forehead. Once at the door, he called to see if his brother was still there. "Hey Sess? I'm heading out now."

"Hai." Came a rather flustered response and Inuyasha chuckled lightly as it came from the direction of the kitchen.

"See you after right?" Inuyasha said as he opened the door.

"Hai."

Shrugging his shoulders, Inuyasha shut the door and made his way down the street towards the restaurant. It took him far longer then he expected, and once he made his way up the stone walkway, he gaped at the sight that greeted him. Lining outside the door, and seated in all available benches were customers waiting to be seated. His eyes bulged, and he made his way through, hearing comments like, how rude, wait your turn, impatient whelp, and many other breathed words.

Rolling his eyes skyward, he walked up to the hostess desk and saw Sango race by with a large tray overflowing with plates of food. The hostess was nowhere to be found and he frowned. Waltzing up behind the desk, he opened the book for the schedule and found two supposed to be on shift, as well as two bussers, and several waitresses. The place was jam-packed. Kirara ran down the steps and stopped and finally grinned widely.

"Oh Kami, man am I ever glad to see you." She sighed in relief, her tray held above her head, filled with empty drink glasses. "The hostesses never showed for shift, one busser walked out after an argument with the dishwasher, and we are short one cook."

Inuyasha nodded and sighed. "So much for a relaxing day." He grumbled, and glanced at the seating chart. There were nine servers on, giving each waitress six tables each, and he glanced up at the long line.

Squaring his shoulders, he grabbed a tray a climbed up the stairs to start bussing tables and helping out however which way he could.

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Sesshoumaru stepped off the monorail with practiced ease, and walked in the direction his father's building was, and he sighed. The monorail was the one thing he had not wanted to start his day off with, having to deal with crowded cars, and having to smell the stench the humans tried to cover up with their pitiful perfumes.

Shaking his head, as he turned the corner, he stopped and stared at the sight in front of him. Furrowing his brows, he heard the taunts and loud strikes two boys were dealing out to something beside his father's place of business.

Stalking towards the boys, he froze at the object of their taunts and he growled loudly. The small urchin he had seen before was being kicked and punched by a pair of teenaged boys, who whirled around to face him as their ears picked up his enraged growl.

The boys stopped and stared for a split second, before they about faced and ran down the street as fast as their legs could carry them. The small battered and dirt covered child struggled to their feet and limped off into the alley without so much as a thank you, or nod of gratitude. The small shoulders shook and he stepped forward to stop the child from escaping into the black alley, but he stopped himself and followed instead. The child moved over to a tattered box and crawled into it, whimpering as the bruised flesh protested against such movement.

The child didn't seem to notice him as she crawled into the small box and he furrowed his brows curiously. Kneeling down beside the box, he smelt the salty tears first before he caught sight of the child's dark brown eyes. The eyes locked onto one another and the small mouth opened as if to scream out of fright, but no sound issued.

Tilting his head to the side, he remained still as he watched the frantic debate going through the child's eyes. Slowly, the dirt covered being seemed to relax, and finally the head lowered onto a makeshift pillow out of grease-covered rags, and pulled up the nastiest blanket he had ever seen. It had holes through out the entire thing, and traces of mold grew on the ends where it had gotten wet.

A pang of sympathy twitched at his heart and he shook his head. "Are you hungry?" He whispered.

A fresh string of tears flooded his senses and he winced.

"I can bring you something to eat if you wish." He continued.

The little head moved, and the child shifted to cover herself with the blanket.

With a sigh, Sesshoumaru stood up and exited the small alley and glanced around the street, and found a small coffee shop at the end of it. Squaring his shoulders, Sesshoumaru stepped towards the shop and wondered what could have happened to this child's parents.

Was she a runaway? Frowning, he knew that couldn't be it, she was far too young to even comprehend what that was. Was it a she? Or was it a male child? The straggly hair hanging past the shoulders in wet lumps and globs of dirt made him assume it was a girl. Had she been beaten? Was that why she was hiding in the alley? Snorting, he would find answers. This was yet another mystery he was willing to partake in, as well as that of the mysterious phone calls and threats surrounding him and his little brother.

The door rang as he stepped inside and he took a deep breath. Fresh bread and baked goods lined the counters, and the smell was far better then the air pollution outside. He glanced at all the goods inside and on top of the counters and finally made his way to the girl at the front.

"Good day, can I get you something?" She asked pleasantly.

He nodded. "I'll need a sandwich and a cup of milk."

The girl nodded and pointed to the many various assortments of sandwiches the place made. "What kind of sandwich?"

"What do children like these days?" He asked absently.

"Oh, many kinds. The popular one today is the ham and cheese, but we also have grilled cheese."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "Grilled cheese then." He remembered Izayoi making that for them when they had lunches together on occasion. He knew he had enjoyed it as did Inuyasha.

Soon he had a bag in his hand and he was making his way back to the alley, holding the cup of milk balanced with the bag filled with the sandwich and fries. Glancing around to make sure no one noticed him, he slipped into the alley and knelt once again beside the small misshapen box.

The girl twitched when he poked his head in, but she didn't, move from her position. Setting the bag inside the box, and the milk beside it, he rose to his feet and hesitantly left the alley. How long had this child been there? Had his father known of her makeshift home? Probably not. He knew his father would never allow for a child to linger outside. Had he know, Sesshoumaru was almost positive his father would have brought the child home with him, or contacted the authorities to let them know that she was there.

Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru climbed the steps to the building and entered with a sigh. He had to find Saya, so he made his way to the elevator and pressed the appropriate button to the floor he desired.

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Inuyasha growled as he filled yet another buss tray. The day was crazy. Every time he turned around another table was dirty and in need of cleaning. His leg was starting to bother him, and he carried the full tray into the kitchen with a curse.

Another curse filled his ears as he pushed open the swinging doors to the kitchen area. The scent of blood filled his nose and he deposited the tray in the dish pit. Turning around, he saw Miroku clutching his right hand and cursing wildly. Rushing around the dessert counter, Inuyasha approached the cook and took the furiously bleeding hand.

"Ah Kami." Miroku cursed. "Sorry Inuyasha."

"Keh! Don't worry about it. Looks like you need some tending to." He muttered and saw Sango rush into the back area with a full tray of dirty glasses. "Sango!" Inuyasha called out before she could vanish back onto the floor.

"Hai?" She asked, then stopped and stared at the bloody hand. "Miroku? Are you okay?" She asked, quickly rushing forward and leading the cook into the back room where a first aid kit was.

Smirking, Inuyasha dusted his hands and waltzed back out of the overly hot kitchen and into the air conditioning. He could never remember a day as crazy as this when his mother was around. No matter what they did, they couldn't get a hold of the growing line up leading outside the door and now down the walkway leading into the place.

After several overrides to orders that were not made properly, or just too long for customers liking, Inuyasha had called in another cook and the guy had come in immediately. Two more servers had been called, and now that left the sections even smaller and more manageable for them to tend to.

Two bussers had been called in, and were working as best as they could, and one hostess was able to come into work early for her shift. There had been still no contact with the other two hostesses who hadn't arrived for their scheduled shift and Inuyasha made a mental note to write them up if they ever did show up for their next one.

Still, even after calling in a bartender, a hostess, two bussers, two waitresses and a food and drink runner, they were still overwhelmed. Sucking in his breath, he groaned loudly as yet another customer began shouting at the poor young hostess at the front. Stalking up to the desk, he lifted a brow at the poor girl who was near tears.

"What seems to be the problem?" Inuyasha inquired, remembering that he had sat that customer only ten minutes earlier.

"I have to go back to work and my order is still not served." The man raged.

Inuyasha raised his brow. "Really? Didn't I just sit you ten minutes ago?"

"Yes, and I still haven't had my drink brought to me." The man raged.

Inuyasha almost rolled his eyes.

"I demand to speak with the manager of the place." The man continued.

Smirking, Inuyasha felt his eyes crinkle with amusement. "Will the owner do sir?"

The man practically grinned in anxiousness. "Yes, he would be perfect."

Inuyasha nodded and leaned forward. "You're talking to him, now as you can see the place is packed, I know the waitress told you that the wait for food was at least half an hour. I will take care of the bill but please, do not further display yourself as such, seeing as I have a ton of work to get accomplished, and more customers to serve." The mans face paled as he took in the dog-eared kid in front of him. "I can offer you a complimentary drink and dessert at a later date if you so desire."

The man sputtered. "You're the owner?" He blinked.

Inuyasha nodded. "Hai. Is there anything I can get you, like a muffin or perhaps a coffee as you go on your way back to work?"

The man shook his head. "I will return for that drink and dessert later after work if the offer still stands." The man said more relaxed.

"Done, you can ask for Inuyasha when you return. I never forget a face." Without another word, the hanyou slipped away from a now happy customer and an even more relaxed and happy hostess, and went back to work.

Oh how he loved the power. He pulled the waitress and the drink runner that had served the man, aside and told the server to inform the cooks to not make the mans meal. Once the waitress left, he turned to the drink runner and he gave her a small smile and he noticed she was near tears.

"Relax, this hit us unexpectedly. This is not your fault. Just try and give the tables their drinks as soon as you can. Most can wait for their food, but they do like to have drinks at their disposal while they wait." Inuyasha said trying to calm the girl. "You're doing okay, just relax and take a breath."

The girl nodded and went back to her duties. Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a long deep breath for patience. It was almost too much for him to handle, and he was almost to the point of calling his brother for help. If he did that however, would Sesshoumaru think him weak? Would his brother let him continue to run the place if he did call?

Inuyasha weighed his options. Loose out on more customers, or call his brother for help. Sure his brother might be a bit angry at being called at his own work, but what other option did he have? He knew that once Sesshoumaru arrived the place would settle into a routine. Something about his brother's aura calmed people down dramatically. He had felt it too, the night before and Inuyasha smiled.

Nodding, he muttered. "Time to call in some help."

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Sesshoumaru had just settled himself down in his office chair, scrolling over a few letters of artifacts that museums were in search for when the phone rang. Without moving his gaze from the letter he picked up the phone and uttered absently. "Moshi moshi."

"Ah, Sesshoumaru. You gotta help me." Inuyasha begged.

Sesshoumaru blinked and sat up at the ruffled voice of his brother. "What's wrong?"

"Kami, this place is packed, Sess. I can't do this alone. I need you…if you're not busy that is." Inuyasha added.

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "I am not busy and what's going on?"

"I have a line up all the way up the walkway, people are cranky, and leaving unhappy, the cook hurt himself, we are short staffed, two hostesses never showed for their shift, we can't keep up." Inuyasha said rushed.

Sesshoumaru snorted. "I see."

"Please Sess, you know I would only call if I really needed you."

"Hai, I know. I'll be there soon." He hung up the phone and groaned. The youkai shook his head and exited the building lost in thought. As he climbed the stairs, he noticed to his right the small bag he had gotten for the girl, and he walked over to it with a frown. Written in sloppy kanji were the words thank you, and he smiled. Pursing his lips, he wondered what he could do now. He had to leave downtown Tokyo, and probably wouldn't be back until very late, so shrugging his shoulders, he lifted his cell and called one person who might be able to help him without asking too many questions.

"Bokusenou. I have need of a favor." After some explaining, Sesshoumaru hung up the phone and made his way to the monorail as fast as his legs could carry him. How he wished his youkai training would start, so he could master his abilities to defy gravity. Climbing into the car, he hung onto the thin cord strap as the train began to move, and too soon he found himself at the station near his brother's restaurant.

Descending the stairs two at a time, he glanced at his watch and noticed it had taken him almost an hour to get there. When he arrived at the street that housed the restaurant he gaped and stopped stunned. Didn't his brother say the line up was down the walkway? He never said anything about it going down the street and he gulped. What was going on? Never in his experience had he seen a sight such as this, even when Izayoi had run the place. Not once in all his years had he seen any place look like this. It was almost like a Boxing Day sale right before opening and everyone lining up so they could take advantage of the sales.

Growling low, Sesshoumaru pushed past the patrons and strolled up the walkway as several people moved out of his way at the loud angry growl that rolled off his tongue. Once in side, Sesshoumaru heaved a sigh. What next? Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, he saw a flash of red zip by, and he called out.

"Inuyasha!"

The hanyou skidded to a halt and blinked. A large grin washed across the once frazzled face and the shoulders slumped in relief. "Oh man am I ever glad to see you."

Sesshoumaru smirked. "You weren't kidding about the place being packed."

Inuyasha nodded and waved with his free hand. "I even had to open the loft. This is nuts. I don't ever remember the place being this packed before. It's like it's a holiday and everyone is coming in here." Under his breath he added. "There are other restaurants you stupid people."

Sesshoumaru chuckled and grunted. "Where do you want me?"

"Cook, kitchen, anything." The hanyou muttered as he filled the tray with drinks. "I'm lost and doing everything, so whatever, I don't care, just help me." Without another word, Inuyasha was gone back into the dining area carrying a tray full of drinks.

Before Sesshoumaru could head in the direction of the kitchen, he heard a loud crash, and loud cursing.

"No hanyou is going to serve my drinks, get the hell out of here."

Frowning, he turned his direction and made his way up the stairs and looked in the general direction of the table. Littered across the floor were broken glasses of the drinks Inuyasha had been carrying, and the said hanyou was on the floor, barely holding in his temper.

Calmly, Sesshoumaru approached the raging man who was on his feet and ready to strike the boy, when he shot his hand out and caught the wrist as it descended on his brother.

"Rethink your actions, human!" Sesshoumaru snarled softly. The man lifted his eyes and glared at Sesshoumaru. The reaction took him completely by surprise and he narrowed his own eyes.

"How dare you hire a stupid hanyou? Fire this clumsy fool, he spilt the drinks all over the place and ruined my dinner." The man bellowed.

Several customers who were around at surrounding tables frowned at the violent display. Some shook their heads remembering the difference in stories after they had witnessed what had really happened.

"Enough." Sesshoumaru barked. "Remove yourself from this establishment, before I forcefully remove you myself. Consider your meal a free trial. Do not return."

He dropped the wrist and helped his brother up to his feet.

The man grinned and then the grin turned into a sneer. "Consider yourself lucky youkai, that there are other customers within the place. If I had my way it would be burnt to the ground."

Before either Sesshoumaru or Inuyasha could respond, the man was gone out the doors in a fury.

Inuyasha gaped stupidly at his brother and sucked in his breath, his cheeks turning pink both from embarrassment and anger.

"Calm yourself, Inuyasha. Do not concern yourself with such matters." Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose and proceeded down the steps back to the bar. "Remake the drink orders you had made for Inuyasha please." Turning towards the kitchen, he walked in and was bombarded by the stench of blood.

Frowning deeply, he saw three cooks frantically moving about the food line and looked around for Miroku. The main cook was along the prep line, pouring stuff into containers, his right hand heavily bandaged.

Miroku glanced up and gave a wan smile. "Good day Sesshoumaru. Forgive my change of occupation, but I feared that I would set myself on fire next."

Sesshoumaru smirked and nodded. The cook had humor even after slicing his hand? Interesting. "I trust you have everything on the prep line under control?" At Miroku's nod, Sesshoumaru continued. "I will be on the line then."

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Sesshoumaru growled fiercely at the cook who was fumbling around clumsily. It was either the fact that he was nervous in the presence of a youkai, or it was the fact that he was just clumsy and inexperienced. Either way, Sesshoumaru decided the boy had to go.

He had dropped three plates of completed food, destroyed a whole set of platters, burnt several items listed on the orders, and had been too slow to keep up with the rush. The other cook did fine in his presence and kept up with the fast pace that was set for them. Miroku shouted from the prep line. "Takumi, get your act together!"

Sesshoumaru snorted and wiped his brow, placing another plate onto the heat line. Sango rushed by, grabbed the plates and called a thank you as she left. Kirara appeared next and grabbed her order and placed a plate on the line shouting a reorder on the eggs. Another mistake caused by the incompetent cook.

Sesshoumaru watched his brother fly around the restaurant and had to feel somewhat proud of his brother's ability to remain somewhat calm and collected. It was perhaps four hours later when the orders started to decline in frantic paces, and Sesshoumaru lifted his head and saw both Sango and Kirara lean against the bar, both flushed and heaving in exhaustion.

Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru told the cooks he was leaving everything to them now and he wandered out towards the bar, and Inuyasha appeared there before he did.

It was only a few minutes of rest and silence when a man came into the restaurant hesitantly. Inuyasha lifted his gaze from his ice tea and called the man over. Turning around he announced to the bartender. "Make whatever this man desires."

The man sat down and took in the few people sitting around the table and nodded to Inuyasha.

Inuyasha immediately acknowledged him and asked. "How was the rest of your day?"

The man shrugged. "It was as good as any day I supposed. I do want to apologize for my outburst today."

Inuyasha shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Everyone was in a mood, and things took too long, and for that I'm sorry. Have you eaten?"

Sesshoumaru watched the exchange curiously and smirked when realization dawned on him. This must have been an unhappy customer and Inuyasha was handling it perfectly.

"Actually I am."

"Then have dinner on us tonight as apology for not having lunch." Inuyasha waved nonchalantly. He stood and limped over to the hostess stand, and reached for a menu.

Sesshoumaru noticed the limp and furrowed his brows. "Why are you limping, otouto?"

Inuyasha snorted. "Hurts." He stated simply, sitting back down in his chair and handing the guy the menu.

The man had also noticed the limp and the referring of relation from the other silver haired man at the table.

Inuyasha noticed the confused look on the mans face and chuckled. "This is Sesshoumaru, my older brother, Sango and Kirara my management team." He waved in introduction.

The man smiled and nodded at each of them. "I'm Takeda Nobunaga."

Inuyasha nodded and waved to the menu. "Order what you will, tonight's meal is on me."

"Thank you." He shifted through the menu for a few minutes and finally ordered a meal that Sango punched in for him and a few minutes later a full steaming plate of food arrived with Miroku holding it in his opposite hand.

"Who ordered the steak?" He grinned, and at the wave of Takeda's wave, he placed it down and seated himself in another chair and sighed. "Kami, this hand hurts."

Sango reached over and inspected it and agreed to drive him to the hospital for further cleaning. Once they were gone, the rest of the companions sat around the table for a good hour, laughing and talking before Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru decided to call it a night.

Takeda had the dessert packaged up and thanked both brothers for the dinner, and once again apologized for his display at lunch. Once he had gone, Kirara waved both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru out, so she could finish her duties and begin preparations for the night crowd that showed up before they went to the bar.

Sesshoumaru glanced at his watch and realized that it was well after ten at night and both he and the hanyou made a hasty retreat towards their home. Once they arrived at the house, the entered and Sesshoumaru noticed the note attached to the hall table and quickly read it over. It was from Jaken explaining that the Plummer had fixed both the kitchen and bathroom problems and had inspected the rest of the house.

Everything now in order, Sesshoumaru headed into the living room and found all the boxes gone, and things placed where they should be. Inuyasha made coffee for both himself and Sesshoumaru and both brother's settled down to watch the news.

Sesshoumaru spoke up first. "Inuyasha, that young cook you have has got to go."

"Which one?"

"Takumi, he is clumsy and inexperienced. He cost you more in food and plates then should be in one day." He explained.

"You don't think it was just from the hellish day?" Inuyasha asked, sipping at his coffee.

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "Miroku also seems to be a bit frustrated with him."

Inuyasha nodded and was about to say something more when a news exclusive caught his attention. Frowning, he reached for the remote and turned it up.

'Today is a day of mourning for two families as the bodies of two young girls were found in an alley way just off the monorail. The two girls were heading to work according to sources and their names have been held in strict confidence as they were underage and their names are not to be mentioned. I am certain the newest hit restaurant in town, Chidori's, will be missing the two girls as much as their families will be. Now to you…'

Inuyasha sucked in his breath sharply, the rest of the conversation lost. "Two girls? What the hell?" He frowned. Only two girls hadn't shown up for their shifts. "Oh Kami. You don't think?" He turned to Sesshoumaru who was lost in thought.

Swallowing, Inuyasha reached for the phone and dialed the numbers of the girl's houses and got the news first hand. Shaking his head, the hanyou rose from the couch and headed to his room. He heard the click of the T.V. and the steps of his brother leading to his own room and finally after tossing and turning for a good hour, Inuyasha rose to his feet and descended the stairs.

Perhaps a walk would clear his mind. The fresh air hit him fully and he sighed in relief. Thinking to himself, he wondered how anyone could hurt two high school girls and kill them? What had they done to anyone?

Something was obviously wrong and Inuyasha suspected a youkai involvement. Perhaps one that didn't like the new rules that were placed on all higher species. Thus protecting human kind. Shaking his head, Inuyasha turned down the street and so lost in thought didn't hear anything around him.

Suddenly lights exploded behind his eyes as a sharp blast of pain cracked on the back of his head. Before he could comprehend what it was, he was slammed into the wall to his right, and his face was smashed into the hard brick forcefully. Instantly his legs failed him and he slammed to the ground in a heap.

Shuddering and blinking open his eyes, he glanced up and came face to face with a large metal bat that slammed into his face with such force it sent him reeling into the oblivion known as unconsciousness.

-----------------------------------------

Sesshoumaru bolted upright and panted as his heart twitched painfully. Glancing around his room, he wondered what had caused the feeling of panic to course through his body.

He shrugged it off and tried to find sleep once again, but couldn't as the strange sensations continued to fill his veins, almost like a warning. Jolting back into an upright position, he leapt off his bed and raced to his brother's room, shoving the door open so hard that it banged into the wall.

He stood frozen and flinched at the unmade and empty bed of his little brother.

Inuyasha was gone.