A/N: Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing! I have been going through chapter by chapter and hope that all you new readers are enjoying this fic as much as I do. Any questions you want answer ask in a review or p.m. if I can answer them I will! Thanks again and on with the show!
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the manga/anime characters. However any original characters in this fic belong to me.
People thinking
Inuyasha's demon side/ Kagome's Miko ancestors
Inuyasha's human side
Chapter Twenty-one: Loyalty
Akago smiled at his twin glad he had the same thought. That club Kouga had walked in was well-known to be owned by Inuyasha. Well, it was known in the crime world anyways. The demons saw no reason to involve the human police in anything. They didn't matter. The issues between demons lasted hundreds of years, why should humans be involved in that. There was talk of a demon alternative but for now there was nothing.
"What do you think he is doing there?" Hakudoushi asked. Akago shrugged but Kanna changed the view in her mirror. "What's Kagura have to do with anything?"
Kanna's soft voice seemed to bounce around the room, "She has a piece to the puzzle. Information about Inuyasha Taisho that maybe important."
"I wonder what she could know?" Akago spoke out loud though he wasn't really looking for anyone to answer.
"That doesn't matter right now." Hakudoushi said waving it off. "Kanna, Naraku wants the exchange moved up to tomorrow night."
"That will cause a great deal of trouble." Kanna replied the look in her black eyes never changing.
"Why?" Akago said looking at her and then his twin.
"Naraku was told two days and the shipment would arrive. Moving in the morning would mean no interference. Forcing the others to move up their timeline will cause tension. Moving at night will prove a terrible error."
"Hmm." Akago mused over the information they were given. "Should we tell Naraku that he is wrong to want the time changed?"
Hakudoushi thought about it for a moment. Naraku thought himself infallible now that he had Kanna but he was ignoring what she had said demanding this change. Hakudoushi smiled at the two in the room. "No, the old spider wants it tomorrow night, then tomorrow night it will be."
"I will make the arrangements." Kanna rose and silently left the room.
"We need the information Kagura has." Akago stated as his brother sat beside him. Hakudoushi agreed but he knew she would never give it up willingly. They had to find something she wanted badly enough to show her hand.
Not far from the building that held the scheming twin, a black Towne car stopped in an open area surrounded by hundreds of shipping containers. They weren't far from the port possibly two or three city blocks. Semi-trucks and other machinery could be heard throughout the yard.
Kagura stepped out of the car and looked around the place, "Is this Naraku's?"
Bankotsu laughed at the unamused woman. "Fuck no. We have investments in the port and container yards so we can move our..." His sea blue eyes roamed Kagura's body freely as he searched for just the right word. "goods, as we wish."
Renkotsu smiled shaking his head. He wasn't an idiot a wind sorceress was not goods they should even consider, but you couldn't tell Banks shit. He was one of those 'learn the hard way' type of guys.
Kagura simply rolled her red eyes at the men staring at her from the other side of the car. "Where are these partners of yours?"
"Come on. But I'll warn you there will be no sky to escape to if you follow." Bankotsu grinned at Kagura mischievously.
She returned the smile as she waved her fan through the air. It was far from a lethal attack but both men were blown on their asses. "I only need air to create wind and since you need air to breath I believe I will be fine no matter where we go." Kagura slipped off her expensive shoes and jacket. She laid them in the back seat of the car before walking over to the two men who were dusting themselves off. "Now shall I yell until someone gives away your position or would you like to shut up and lead the way?"
Bankotsu raised a brow to her attitude. He knew Naraku thought she was a pain in the ass and he had to admit his ass agreed. She acted like nothing mattered but he could tell Kagura was close to making her move and he sure as hell wanted to see it. "This way."
The three walked in a maze fashion until they reached a faded blue shipping container that looked like twenty other faded blue containers they had passed. Bankotsu pulled a key from his pocket and opened the lock.
"There's no service down here so if you need to call and check in you had better do it before we head down." Bankotsu laughed, he knew Naraku had a tight leash on her and wanted to know about them. In the blink of an eye he drew a knife and held it to her throat. "Do what you have to but don't say a damn word about the location."
Kagura stared at him with a bored expression. "The sooner I get this over the sooner we can get a move on."
Renkotsu stepped through the open container door. Bankotsu smirked at the demoness in front of him before turning to do the same. Once Kagura was sure they were gone she pulled her phone out only to have it ring in her hand.
"Hakudoushi, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Kagura's voice fell flat as she spoke to the young spider.
"Kagura, there is some information that you have about Inuyasha Taisho that I would like to have." Hakudoushi wasn't hopeful that she'd simply give it up but you never know 'til you try.
"Why would I give you any information on the half-breed?" Kagura asked annoyed the little bastard had called in the first place.
"We are in charge of this weeks shipment, maybe we can work together for our own benefit while dealing a blow to Naraku."
"How do you know he isn't watching us through Kanna's mirror right now?"
"Because we are watching you through her mirror at the moment. Kanna has said it a deal tomorrow night will be bad. Only one person likes to sour those deals, you have information on him that Kanna says could be important. WHAT IS IT!" His patience was at its end. Akago could only shake his head at his brother.
"That's super but you still had nothing solid to offer me. The only information I had on Inuyasha I gave to Naraku, maybe you could call him and get it." Before the angry young spider could say another word Kagura hung up. He didn't give her a lot of information but maybe enough to barter for the information she needed.
She couldn't explain it but she knew Kanna was no longer watching. Dialing from memory she typed in a number she rarely called and waited for an answer.
"Yes?"
"Isamu, I have some information your lord would like to have, but I need a favor in return."
Back at the hospital right after Inuyasha left...
Miroku pushed Kagome's wheelchair into the closest elevator. Mrs. Higurashi was next to him with the two large guards and one not exactly small doctor behind her. It was a good thing that hospital elevators were larger than regular ones and youkai hospital ones were larger still.
Kagome sat silently in the wheelchair as the elevator rode up two floors so the doctor could take x-rays of her ribs and shin. Kagome knew her ribs felt better but with the cast in place she was unsure about her shin.
After the elevator dinged and opened the doors to release them, Miroku carefully rolled her to the x-ray room. The doctor allowed Miroku to push Kagome into the room with one guard while the other and Mrs. Higurashi remained outside. The doctor retrieved some lead jackets and instructed Kagome to lay down on the table. Daichi helped her on to the table being mindful of her hospital gown, then he took his leave to stand outside of the room as well.
Once on the table the doctor situated the vest and machine over her chest. "If you are staying I suggest you place the other vest on." He said handing Miroku a vest.
Kagome noticed the doctor's casual tone compared to the callous tone he had used around Inuyasha. She could sense the tension between Inuyasha and her doctor. They just didn't seem to like each other but the doctor didn't seem to let that effect his job, which she was thankful for.
After a few seconds the doctor had the x-rays of her newly healed ribs and her almost healed shin. Placing the film against the light board the doctor looked over the pictures again and again.
"I can't explain it, it's remarkable that a mere human can heal so quickly." The doctor finally asked. "Ms. Higurashi, your mother mentioned something about your' healing abilities do you think you could tell me more about it?"
Kagome looked at her hands where they rested in her lap. She didn't know what her mother had said or what to say about it. Only recently had she remembered things she had let herself forget. Things about her dad really having spiritual powers, about her truly having spiritual powers.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about it. You'd have to ask my mother." And she was going to be sure to do the same thing herself.
As Miroku pushed her wheel chair along, Kagome was as much in wonder over her quick healing as the doc was but there was no way she could explain it. Even after remembering things she had buried in her own mind she couldn't understand it. Kagome knew she had always healed quick but she didn't know why. A cut or scrap would scab and scar in a matter of days instead of weeks but again those had never been life threatening. The fact was she didn't even know how quick the healing could be. She had never broken a bone to see how amazing it really was.
Kagome had been so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed they had made it back to her room. Miroku rolled her chair over to the bed but then stood there awkwardly staring down at her.
"Afraid I'll bite?" She said jokingly to the clearly nervous man.
Miroku looked at her with bright violet eyes and forced out a laugh. "No, not you and not so much biting as clawing and possibly maiming." The monk gulped as he thought about the things Inuyasha could do to him if his lecherous ways got the better of him around Kagome as she sat there in a barely there hospital gown.
"If he would do that to his friend for helping me from my chair to the bed maybe we shouldn't be around him." Kagome said as she waiting patiently for Miroku to get over his issue.
Sighing Miroku looked at the young woman. She was so small and seemingly fragile yet it was a deceiving image. It was so deceiving he was sure she even had herself fooled. But Inuyasha wasn't, there was no way his best friend would see her as a potential mate if she was simply a weak human. Which brought him back to his original worry. The temptation to grope a beautiful woman who is hardly dressed made his hand twitch. That was part of the reason he had allowed Daichi to lift her in the x-ray room.
"The thing is my fair, Lady Kagome, that I am cursed and sometimes act inappropriate with beautiful women. If such an acted were to occur one- with you, two- with you in your condition, I feel it is safe to assume I would be receiving my own hospital stay if I was lucky."
"I seem to recall a less than appropriate question you asked when we first meet." Kagome reminded him.
"Ah, yes. I did ask you but I didn't know then what I know now." Miroku defended.
"Lame." The dark-haired looked at the equally dark-haired man with seriousness deep in her blue eyes.
"Wh...What do you mean lame?" Miroku stammered slightly shocked and confused by her response.
"I mean what I said. It's a lame excuse even if we weren't at this ridiculous stale mate." Kagome stared at the man next to her who was clearly confused about what she meant so she figured she go easy on him and explain. "Sango, your date for that evening, introduced me as her friend. You immediately disregarded her feelings and hit on me. What you knew then was I was your date's friend. Me and Inuyasha haven't talked about what we are, I have assumptions to go on yet you are terrified to offend him even when he's not in the room. It's lame and sexist and you're lucky Sango is willing to even speak to you."
"If you hadn't been taken I doubt I would have even been given the chance to talk to her again." Miroku said looking at his hands. Maybe he was being lame. "You win this one. I'm not saying you're right but...I'm not saying you're wrong either."
With that Miroku carefully lifted Kagome from her wheel chair and laid her in the bed. He was mindful to keep her gown from sliding up her legs though it was harder than he figured. Once she was settle he arranged the blankets on top of her and took step back diving his hands deep into his jean pockets.
"Thank you, Miroku." Kagome said with an open and genuine smile. "I want you to know, I think you are wrong about Sango."
Miroku blinked a few times at the woman in front of him. "What was I wrong about, Lady Kagome?"
"She would have called eventually whether I had been taken or not." Her smiling face turned deadly serious and Miroku found himself slightly afraid. "The question is do you think you'd have remembered her if the call hadn't come so soon?"
Miroku was about to answer and defend that yes of course he could never forget some one as unique as Sango, even though he had a feeling another lame remark would be made, but the sound of a cell phone echoed around the room. The monk turned around to see the doctor and Mrs. Higurashi in the doorway. The inu doctor stared at his phone for a couple of rings.
"Excuse me. My mate is calling." He explained to Kagome's mother. Even across the room Miroku could hear the change in his voice as he spoke.
"I wasn't aware you had a mate." He spoke calmly knowing the doctor's hearing would pick it up just fine.
"My mating is no concern of your's." The doctor replied with narrow ice blue eyes pointed at Miroku then his most professional face was back in place as he bowed to Mrs. Higurashi before answering as he left the room.
"I hope all is well with his wife." Mrs. Higurashi said as she walked deeper into the room.
Kagome smiled softly at her mother clearly ignoring what had taken place between Miroku and the doctor. Mayu never saw a reason to ask about other people's problems if they seemed like trivial things. 'It only invites unhappiness into your own heart.' She would tell Kagome when both her and Souta were young and would talk about problems their friends at school had with each other.
"I'm sure she is fine." Miroku replied with a smile on his face. "I am going to step right outside and talk with the other guards. Just yell if you need anything." Both Higurashi woman smiled at the dark-haired man as he bowed slightly and walked towards the door.
The door closed silently behind him and Mayu smiled to her daughter. "I think he and Sango make an adorable couple, don't you."
The only thing Kagome could do was smile. "Yea, I do." Kagome laid back against the to-flat hospital pillows and closed her eyes. "Mom, has gramps been here?"
Mayu moved the wheel chair before rearranging the chair she used back to her daughter's bed side. "Yes, Kagome, he and Souta were here while you were sleeping."
Most people would have asked why or if the person in question was needed for something but not Kagome's mom. Mayu simply sat next to her daughter and waited. Many that meet Mayu thought her a little flighty but Kagome knew that her mother was far from it. Mayu liked riddles and verse not because she had a screw loose but because it stretched the minds of the people she talked to. In the same turn she didn't like to ask to many unneeded questions. She found people would ask what they wanted no matter how many questions it took them to get there.
"Can you have gramps come back either tonight or tomorrow, please." Kagome asked as she let her eyes flutter shut. The exhaustion was finally winning out. She might be healing quickly but that didn't mean there wasn't a price for it. Plus she was sure the whole massive blood loss thing had taken a good toll on her.
"Yes, sweet heart, of course. You rest, one of us will be here when you wake up." Mayu gentle brushed Kagome's bangs out of her eyes as if the woman laying in the bed were nothing but a small child.
"Thanks, Mama." Kagome whispered as she let sleep pull her back under into peaceful rest.
Mayu smiled at her daughter as she pulled her cell phone from her purse. "You're welcome, Kagome."
It only took Mrs. Higurashi a moment to reach her father-in-law. He was glad to her his granddaughter was awake and asking for him, but the caution he could her in Mayu's voice told him Kagome had something important to ask. None the less he would be happy to answer her, he'd tell her anything, after all she was alive and well, when not even twenty-four hours ago she was still in a dangerous sleep.
Once she hung up with her father-in-law, she made her way to the door to have Miroku or one of the others fetch a nurse to place Kagome's heart monitor pads back on now that she was sound asleep.
In the West Inuyasha was leaving the Manor. Shippou was at school or he was sure he would have a fox demon in tow. It was getting on in the early afternoon and the hanyou was anxious to get on the trail of the fuckers who had taken and tortured his Kagome. The mangy wolf was already at the club waiting impatiently but Inuyasha could have cared less. He hadn't showered since Sunday night and was covered in dried blood that was beginning to smell worse than him.
Inuyasha had a few ideas about how they could find the Band of Seven. They were clearly still operating out of the district or they wouldn't have taken Kagome there and hid her so quickly. The problem was figuring how they connected to Naraku, how Naraku connected to Sango and possibly Kagome. He was hoping Miroku had been able to get some useful information out of her but he had a feeling Sango was the one who ended up with information.
Pulling up in back of the club Inuyasha could feel the eyes of the guards on him. They didn't let up as he crossed the small lot to the back door. Three and a half knocks later Inuyasha was let into a small entry room where he was patted down by a dragon demon a hundred or so years younger than himself.
"That's efuckingnough!" Inuyasha growled not wanting to waste any more time.
The dragon named Ryuu walked over the intercom on the walk, "Yea, it's the boss. You're right that's exactly what he said." Ryuu smirked at Inuyasha and the hanyou felt his eyebrow twitch in irritation.
"Not the day to be fucking with me, Ryuu." Inu warned.
"It's hasn't been a good day to fuck with you for at least a year." Ryuu said as his jasper eyes rolled in his head.
"Keh!" Inuyasha sneered as he walked past the door man into the back hallways.
The club only took up half of the building. Behind it Inuyasha had built hallways that turned into a maze. He was also lucky enough to have them enchanted so that if anyone in them felt dangerously negative feelings for him, his brother or their mates (even though he was still unmated) the halls would change. But they would only change to the person they were stopping. Anyone else with access would be able to walk down them like everything was normal 'cause for them it would be.
Finally reaching the security pad for the basement Inuyasha summoned a small part of his demonic power. As soon as the golden light began at the tip of his clawed finger it was drawn into the pad and the door clicked open. Pushing it out of his way he was suddenly bombarded with the noise of the arguing demons below.
Surprise, surprise, they're fucking fighting with each other.
Too much action and no reward will do that.
They had a choice not to help me.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!" Inuyasha bellowed once he reached the bottom of the stairs. His ears twitch on top of his head almost daring someone to talk again. There was a pregnant silence as the mismatched group of demons and half demons stared at him.
"BOSS!" The group shouted as they rushed forward congratulating him on their victory of saving his potential mate.
Inuyasha was confused for a second then all he could feel was claustrophobic. Easily he jumped from the center of the crowd over to where Kouga leaned against the back of the couch watching the spectacle smiling.
"What the fuck are you smiling at, you fucking Mangy Wolf!?" Inuyasha shouted glaring at Kouga.
Kouga didn't say anything he turned to face Inuyasha bringing his first around with him to collide with the side of the half demon's head effectively throwing him into the matted training area. Inuyasha rolled out of the way right as Kouga's foot came down where his head had just been. Gaining his footing the dog demon began blocking the on-slot of kicks the wolf was delivering.
"Did you forget how to fight so quick? You really are useless aren't you, you fucking Mutt!" Kouga yelled trying to goat his opponent on.
"Fuck you!" Inuyasha shouted back his right hand grabbing ahold of Kouga's ankle while the other found leverage on the wolf's knee. Inuyasha then swung the surprised wolf into the weapons rack on the wall behind them.
Kouga hit the wall hard causing most of the weapons to chatter to the ground many landing on top of him as he fell to all fours. He looked at the still confused, angry half demon and smirked before shooting forward with an unsheathed katana. Inuyasha dodged impalement by mere centimeters.
"Quicker than I thought you'd be." Kouga said before attacking again. He cut and slashed at Inuyasha always coming close but never quiet hitting him.
Inuyasha was still trying to figure the motive behind Kouga's sudden need to fight. As the wolf pack leader and third in command he knew Kouga knew they didn't have time for this. He evaded another swipe. Finally he pulled the Tessaiga from the cloth case on his back, Inuyasha unsheathed his own sword. The blades hit hard even though the Tessaiga remained untransformed. Kouga reached over and punched Inuyasha in the gut followed by a knee to the face when he doubled over. The hanyou lost his balance and fell to his back. The wolf took advantage and began kicking the other demon so he couldn't get back to his feet.
The others watched in curious horror. Their leaders were fighting for some unknown reason. Finally another Inu-hanyou had seen too much.
"Stop, Major!" The young hanyou shouted drawing everyone's attention.
"Shin. I thought it'd be you. Call the Lieutenant and get your order's about protecting the General's potential mate." Kouga said calmly as if the one he refered to as General wasn't lying on the floor slightly bloody.
Oh, Inuyasha understood now and while he was proud of Shin, he was furious at Kouga. He reached out and grabbed the ankle of the foot that had kicked him. One quick yank and Kouga was on the ground with and angry half demon on top of him punching at his face.
Kouga blocked as best he could with his arms and tried to talk to the angry inu on top of him. "Come on, Yash! Don't you want the best protecting-" Inuyasha sent him a punch to the top of his ribs. "Kagome?" He coughed out after the hit.
"We didn't have time to waste with this shit!" Inuyasha shouted as Kouga punched him in the gut causing Inuyasha to be knocked off him. Inuyasha wasted no time in rolling away as Kouga took up a defensive stand.
"Who's the one wasting time now!?" Kouga shouted as Inuyasha ran towards him fists ready.
"It's a matter of fucking principle now you asshole!" Inuyasha yelled punching Kouga in the nose.
Kouga was surprised by the sudden connection with his face and stumbled backwards. Inuyasha kicked out his foot connecting with the wolf's gut sending him to the floor. Both demons were in a huff as they stared at each other. Kouga had done what he thought best to find the most loyal to protect Kagome for Inuyasha. Inuyasha understood but the wolf had pissed him off farther than he already was.
"Boss?" Shin called from the side of the mat. When both demons on the mat relaxed their stance he stepped closer. "The Lieutenant says he has something to talk with you about." Shin handed over the phone and Inuyasha walked away from the others.
Kouga and Shin watched as their leader walked towards Shippou's computer room.
"Did you get the instructions needed?" Kouga asked the young hanyou.
"Yea. There are two other guards there that were hired by Lord Sesshomaru for the Lady Rin. The Lieutenant said the Lady Kagome is resting now and the grandfather is taking the place of the mother sometime tonight." Shin replied as they made their way to the entertainment area.
"After the spy traveling on her friend everyone coming in needs searched." Kouga explained as they plopped down in the nearest gaming chairs.
"Understood."
"Good. I expect you to not let your guard down just because it's her family. In twenty-four hours the Lieutenant will relieve you." Inuyasha's voice carried as he walked across the room. He came to stand in front of Shin. "The other thing is the doctor is a fucking purest, so be ready to be insulted." Shin nodded. No matter how many half demons were born few were accepted. Shin was nowhere near as old as the two next to him or even Ryuu but he was old enough to remember when half demons were much fewer.
"Nothing I ain't heard before, I'm sure." Shin said with a smirk causing Inuyasha and Kouga to chuckle. Shin being a inu hanyou in the Western pack had been given plenty of shit over the years like the others. Some were depressed by the hate, some ignored it. Those who ignored it often ran in the gang with Inuyasha.
"Get ready, a car will be out front for you in ten minutes." Shin nodded and headed to the stairs. "Come on, Flea-bag, we have work to do."
Inuyasha turned and walked back the way he had come. Kouga followed without a word, he knew him and the Mutt had fought enough for the day. There was shit that needed to be done. As soon as Miroku arrived then the real work could get underway but until then he would look over maps and news reports while Inuyasha calculated the next place for Naraku's business transaction.
Kouga smiled, the fight Monday had stirred everyone up. He was itching for another fight with someone other than Inuyasha. The odds were good that Naraku would have a meet in a few days, but Kouga never saw the patterns in the sporadic drops. Inu did though and hopefully his new drive would put him a head of Naraku this time.
Inuyasha and Kouga set up in Shippou's computer room waiting for the monk to arrive. Inuyasha was determined to find the Band of Seven or Naraku in the next two days. Printing off the map Shippou had made him, he pinned it up so Kouga could get a better idea of what was going on. Then he set about tracking what kind of shipment the spider was expecting this time, that would narrow the kind of place his people would use.
Hopefully I get it figured in time.
A/N: Thank you for your time :)
Thank you for reading and reviewing!