A/N: For the 'Glide' theme on Dokuga's LJ comm - 300 words, no more no less. Originally posted on January 3, 2011. This won third place! :D

A referee will give a 'caution' to a fighter who has broken a rule but isn't being tossed out of the fight (yet).

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Caution

Kagome stared blankly at her lap as her captain studied the photographs. Kaede's frown deepened until she reached the last one, which had a warning scrawled upon the it - the one that showed Kagome eagerly accepting a kiss from Sesshoumaru.

"I see that you've freely ignored all proper protocol," said the older woman, setting the pictures down on her desk. "You've started a relationship with a target of our investigation. You failed to turn in clear evidence that someone has discovered that you're undercover. You even returned to the warehouse where someone could have identified you as police, thus endangering our entire case. Have I missed anything?"

"I don't think so," answered Kagome.

Kaede shook her head. "I should suspend you," she said. "I would have, if I hadn't gotten an interesting call from the National Police Agency."

Kagome looked up at that - the NPA had no police force of its own but coordinated all the prefectures' bureaus. Some officers resented the bureaucratic role of the NPA, but many appreciated the centralized organization, which provided the same information to every corner of Japan. "What did they have to say?" she asked.

"We're not the only ones investigating Naraku," said Kaede. "It seems that the NPA has organized one of its rare task forces. Naraku is a demon of particular interest to them."

"The task force is taking over?"

Kaede scowled. "Apparently, they're already in control. They've had an officer undercover for quite some time, and he would like to speak - and possibly work - with you." She stood up and crossed the room, leaning out of the door to beckon to someone.

A familiar figure appeared in the doorway and leaned towards Kagome with a smile. "Detective Higurashi," greeted Koga. "I'm here to save you from the doghouse."

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A/N: The NPA is real. Japan doesn't have an equivalent of the United States' FBI, but rather administers and coordinates with all police forces across the country with one agency. They will occasionally form task forces with officers drawn from the prefectures' bureaus to deal with nationwide investigations/emergencies.