Chapter Twenty: Siblings Introduced
Written: November 11, 2012
"Where could that police station be?" Kagome said and scratched the back of her head. Kanda and herself were walking through a main part of the town and were currently looking for the police station. There they would meet up the local finder and head inside to speak with the chief officer.
"Che, who knows?" Kanda grunted, annoyed.
Beads of sweat formed behind Kagome's head. "I-I'll go ask," she suggested and walked up towards the nearest person. "Um, excuse me Sir, but might you be able to tell me where the police station is?"
"Huh?" A young boy turned around. In his hands, he carried two large grocery bags. "The police station?" he repeated. "You want directions to there?"
"That's right." Kagome smiled.
"In that case then," the boy began. "I can show you the way, since I'm heading there too."
How convenient, she thought.
"Oii Kanda, come over here!" She shouted, waving her hands back and forth. "This young boy is going to show us the way to the police station."
Kanda grunted and advanced. He kept one hand firmly on Mugen, his sword. The young boy watched him with wide eyes. Kagome chuckled. "Do you need any help with those bags?" She offered.
He shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm fine. Now, come on. The police station is this way." He walked forward, his shoes clacking against the ground. Kagome watched him and Kanda pushed past her, following behind the boy.
The Police Station was located on the other side of town. It was a three-story building built of bright red bricks. Hanging over the front door read: "Police Station" in English block letters.
Kagome wiped her brow. "Finally, we made it."
"It's not that bad of a walk." The boy laughed and trudged up the stairs. "Once you've done it for long enough, it becomes a piece of cake."
Kanda scoffed and walked inside. "Let's get this over with."
Kagome groaned. "Kanda, you could at least be a little bit nicer," she hissed and followed him.
Kanda rolled his eyes and did not bother to reply. Inside the station was just as nice as the outside. The same brick pattern continued throughout and the floors were a sterile white. Wooden cubicles filled the front area, and various officers of different ages and shapes moved throughout the wide, open space.
Kagome marvelled at the sight for a minute, before noticing that the young boy had already walked forward, making his way towards someone's desk. Not bothering to look for Kanda, she followed the boy, catching the last bit of his speech.
"Father, I got what you wanted." Kagome watched him deposit the bags onto the table and couldn't help but grin. The man, who she assumed to be his father, looked up from his paperwork and smiled. "Wonderful work Kohaku. I trust you had fun while you were out in town."
Kohaku laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I suppose you could say that," he mused.
His father's expression softened. "In any event, your sister should be returning soon from her patrol." Kohaku's face turned into a pout. His father eyed him sternly. "Don't give me that look, Kohaku. You know Sango is much older than you, and has much more experience. It's only natural that she would be given the position before you."
"But father, I've been training extra hard!" He insisted.
His father shook his head. "While your skills have been improving, you still have a long way to go. Remember, being a good police officer requires more than investigating the scene for evidence. It takes true passion and dedication." Kohaku sighed and looked down towards the ground. His father looked away and then noticed Kagome. "Might I be able to help you, Madame?" He inquired.
Kohaku looked behind and then noticed Kagome. "You wanted to talk with my father?" He repeated, ludicrous.
Kagome giggled, covering her laughs with her hand. "That is correct," she mused. She then turned her attention towards the officer. "I am Kagome Higurashi, an exorcist from the Black Order. My companion Yuu Kanda and I were sent to investigate the sighting of Innocence. Might you be the chief officer?"
He nodded appropriately. "I am the head chief here. My name is Yoshiro Taijiya." He stood up from his desk. "This is my son, Kohaku Taijiya." He placed a hand onto his son's shoulder. Kohaku stiffened, but smiled, semi-embarrassed.
Kagome's eyes twinkled with amusement. She extended a hand forward. "It is quite to meet you. And I have had the pleasure of meeting your son already." Upon seeing the confused look grace Yoshiro's face, Kagome expanded briefly. "My partner and I were lost searching for the police station. Your son came forward and offered to take us here. He was quite kind and did a remarkable job. He knows this town well."
Kohaku blushed a shade of red. Yoshiro eyed him and shook Kagome's hand. "Kohaku, you never mentioned that. Is it true?"
Kohaku looked away. "Yes father," he whispered.
Yoshiro's eyes softened. "Well done."
Kohaku's eyes widened. Kagome resisted the urge of patting his shoulder. She could tell that Yoshiro's words had an immense effect on Kohaku. More than anything, she wanted to say something, but knew this wasn't her area to speak up. This wasn't her family. She swallowed deeply and looked away. Off to the side, Kanda stood by the wall, conversing with the finder.
At least he found the finder, she thought, relieved.
Kagome excused herself from Yoshiro and Kohaku and moved towards Kanda and the finder. Right away, their conversation ended as Kagome walked forward. The finder, who was an older man around forty, bowed in respect and introduced himself. "My name is Jin. It is an honour to be working with you, Lady Exorcist."
Kagome blushed a light shade of red and returned the bow. "Thank you, Jin. Nevertheless, I must conquer; it is an honour to be working with you as well."
Kanda scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Who were you talking to?" He inquired, wanting to move the conversation forward.
Kagome pursed her lips together. "Yoshiro Taijiya, the head police officer."
Kanda raised an eyebrow. "Is the brat his son?"
Kagome scowled. "By brat, I am hoping that you are not referring to Kohaku." Sparks formed inside her eyes. Kanda eyes narrowed and his hand moved for Mugen.
Jin, who was already aware of the swordsman's temper, backed away. Before departing from the Order a few weeks ago for another mission, Komui had briefly explained to him the "relationship" shared between Kagome and Kanda.
"It's not exactly a loving relationship… or a love-hate relationship. It's quite hard to describe actually. Yet, the best thing I would advise you to do Jin-san, is to stay away when Kagome-chan looks about ready to pounce. When mad, she'll go berserk."
Jin started to tremble. Komui's previous words echoed throughout his mind, resulting with a wave of paranoia and fright to flow through his veins. He bit his bottom lip, sure that his brows were much, much sweatier than usual.
"Um, Lady Exorcist, Master Exorcist," he stuttered. "S-shouldn't we speak with the head officer?" By now, a large ring of fire had formed around Kagome and Kanda. Kagome had her hands extended, palms out wide, ready in case. Kanda's hand was resting on Mugen's hilt, itching to draw the blade at any given moment. At the sight, Jin felt like fainting.
Kanda scoffed. "Get moving." He ordered to Kagome.
Kagome suppressed a snarl. "Ladies first," she sneered.
Kanda growled and stepped closer. "What did you say?"
Kagome smirked. "You heard me." She stuck out her tongue, "Ladies first, girly-man." Just as Kanda was about ready to explode, a loud bash of bangs was heard coming from outside. Kanda jumped away and Kagome glanced towards the window. Not wasting a second, they dashed outside expecting the sudden noise to be an incoming Akuma attack. Yet what they saw caused them both to stop right on the first step.
Lying on the ground with a large bump forming above his head was a man a few years older then them. Kagome gasped. "Miroku," she realized.
Kanda raised an eyebrow. "You know that fool?"
Kagome balled a fist. "Of course I know him!" She screamed. "He's the very same lecherous bastard who tried to… touch my backside." Her entire face turned cherry red. Kagome coughed and looked away, highly embarrassed. Kanda merely blinked, watching her. "What?!" Kagome screamed, agitated, her face turning an even redder shade. "It's the truth."
"Don't I know it," a feminine voice replied.
"Huh?" Kagome looked forward. Standing before them, right by the steps was a tall and thin woman. She had chocolate brown eyes lined with pink eye shadow, black hair with brown tints tied back into a ponytail, and a sword strapped to her side. Sporting a police officer's uniform, she eyed Kagome and Kanda intently, sizing them up.
"Did you say that this man tried to assault you?" She demanded, gesturing towards the unconscious Miroku.
Kagome nodded, unsure of what to say. The woman's eyes darkened. "The lecher tried to pull the same stunt on me just minutes ago."
"That would explain the banging," Kagome mumbled.
The woman removed her officer's hat. "I had finished my route and was returning, when suddenly, this man stepped out of nowhere and reached for my hands. He mumbled something about being on a mission and—"
"The mission being highly important to his family and himself," Kagome interrupted her.
The woman nodded, "Exactly." She reached inside her back pockets, withdrawing a pair of handcuffs. "For assault on two women—one being an officer no less!—you are under arrest." While she bent down and handcuffed Miroku, Kagome tried her best to conceal her giggles.
Kanda, on the other hand, was watching the officer handle the man in silence. "Oii, shouldn't you be wondering why the lecher followed you here?" He stated casually.
Kagome's laughter ceased. She had never thought of that. Face turning red—again—she walked down the steps and moved towards the female officer. She stood before her and titled her head to the side, studying the woman. "Might I know your name?" She questioned, curious.
"Officer Sango Taijiya," was the woman's sole response. "And yours?"
Kagome grinned. "Kagome Higurashi."
Sango raised a brow. "Well, Higurashi-san, since we're both acquainted now, how would you feel in assisting me lugging this man into custody?"
Kagome blinked. "Why?" She asked, confused.
Sango wiped her brow. "I just figured the very same women who were both assaulted by this man, might enjoy bringing him to custody." Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "Don't you agree?"
Kagome bit her bottom lip. "Sango-san, I like your way of thinking." She winked.