The Silent Hanyou
Chapter 36
She was holding on to the anger tightly. She would not allow it to abandon her; to her fear, to her pain of the bruises around her arms and wrists, and to this demonic soul.
Kagome struggled and fought the man pulling her through the mansion's grimy hallways. The ones she had—killed—purified?—cleaned?—had not been the last of Naraku's little idiot squad. From what she could tell, there were only three left in the entire house. She hadn't seen anyone else.
But the building was huge…and there were dozens of rooms…I can be wrong…
Naraku hadn't put down his champagne glass the entire walk. He had just smiled, called for his lackeys, and had her, Sango, Shippo, and Rin swarmed and carted off like sheep to the shearer.
He had made clear commands that they would not be harmed, knocked out, or killed. That was reassuring…and frightening all at once; what was he planning?
Sango behind her fervently hissed from the arms of her captor, "Stop it, Kagome! You'll only make things worse."
Naraku, in front of the one huge lug carrying the kids, chuckled, "Oh, but you do not need to listen to her…Kagome…I love seeing the fire in your eyes." The lustful crackle in his hellish blue depths froze the teen in place. Sango's right…and a nip of terror had skimmed past her anger. Kagome willingly walked, her arms feeling raw and pounding.
They made it to the end of the corridor, two tall black doors on either side. Naraku turned and relished a bony finger to the one on his left. His brainless minions stopped. Naraku grinned, opened the door and said, "Sango, dear girl, I have something I wish for you to see." She was pushed forward and forced to look inside.
Sango's gasp sounded like a sob. "Kohaku!"
Kagome's gut felt heavy. Kohaku…her brother? Oh no!
The past taijiya started to cry and flung from side to side, trying to get into the room. "Kohaku! Please, wake up, talk to me! It's me, Sango! Your sister. WAKE UP! KOHAKU!" Naraku closed the door. Sango whirled and snarled, "You bastard! What have you done to him?"
She shuddered in revulsion when he traced his hand down her cheek. "He is merely sleeping, the poor child. We have worked him to the bone, haven't we boys?" His hired dolts laughed; a rumble like thunder.
"Why did you take him?" Sango's hair fell matted and stringy down her scorching eyes. "Why did you kill my family!"
This time Naraku did not smile and a glimpse of his true devil persona was exposed. His blue eyes seemed to snap in red. He kneeled down and gripped Sango by the chin. "Because…you little bitch….you ruined my life. All my carefully calculated plans. You destroyed me! You and the monk! And especially that bloody miko!" He pointed at Kagome, a vein pumping on his forehead.
Monk…miko? Kagome's knees quaked together. What is he talking about? They were just high school students!
"But you were only part of the problem, of my DEATH!" Naraku's face twisted with insanity, one corner of his lip twitching. "It was all because of him! He started it all."
"Uh, boss?" quivered the one holding Sango.
Naraku shook, like he had been electrocuted and his gaze turned distant. They all waited for him to come back from wherever he had gone. Slowly the rage soon leaked away and he smoothed back his hair. Sniffing, he straightened his jacket, "Yes, but it'll all be worth it. I didn't get the jewel. But I'll savor my revenge. Take them to the top most level. Tie them up." The men hurried to do so. His teeth gleamed, "I'll grab my camera. This is something worth remembering."
Kagome cried out in pain as she was unceremoniously thrown to the ground. She didn't soak in it for long and scrambled around. But the door was slammed into her face and there was the distinct click of a lock.
A wave of dismay filled her throat. She locked it away. This was not time for tears. She needed to think, find a way out of this. Find a way to get a message out for help!
Her thoughts slammed to a halt however when a whimper sounded behind her. Kagome turned to see Sango in a ball, covering her face, her shoulders shaking. Shippo and Rin were holding each other, too frozen in shock to comfort the girl.
"Sango…" Kagome crawled over, raising a hand to place on her shoulder. Sango jumped back from her touch.
"Don't!" Sango slammed her palms on the ground. "Don't! It's over. Kohaku…" Sobs tore from her throat in rising hiccups and wails. "H-he was s-so…small…s-skinny…Kohaku!" Even though she struggled, Kagome grabbed the girl and held her tightly. Sango deflated and cried.
"I promise you, Sango. I'll save Kohaku. We'll save him! We'll get out of here." Kagome gasped; her hair feeling like it was standing on end, when a soft monotone voice whispered from the shadows.
"You won't escape. Naraku will not allow it." The group went stock still and peered into the farthest, darkest corner.
"Ka-Kagome…" Shippo inched closer to her.
Kagome patted Sango's back and then stood up. "Who…Who's there? Please, come out." She squared her shoulders, a strange calm settling over her.
There was a shuffle of clothing and a creaking of wood. "Naraku never lets anybody leave. You're trapped. I'm sorry." A break of emotion sounded in the flat tone.
It was a girl's voice. High, young; it was but a child.
Kagome released her tension, tears pricking the back of her eyes. How many children were in this hell hole? "Who are you? Can you tell me your name?"
"I…" the voice cracked but it was quickly muffled. When she spoke again, it was like a recorded phone message. "I am Kanna. That is what he wishes to call me."
"Is that you're real name?" A shiver passed in the back of her neck.
"N-no." This Kanna seemed to be struggling between remaining emotionless (Kagome suspected Naraku had tortured her to do so) and being her normal self.
Kagome went down on one knee. "Can you tell me it? My name is Kagome." She pointed behind her at the wide eyed rest. "And this is Sango, Shippo, and Rin." She took one small hobble forward. "Can you tell me your real name?"
"No. No! I don't know! I don't know what it is…I don't remember." A deep breath and there was more ruffling of cloth. "Stay away. Get away from me."
"Please…I promise we won't hurt you. Did Naraku take you away from your family?"
The robot was back. "I have no family. I am his."
Kagome's throat clogged but she fought against it. "Can you come out here? Talk to us? Maybe you can tell us how to get out of here."
"There is no escape."
"Please. Come out." One more step and this time there was a small screech.
"Stay back!"
Kagome licked her lips, a maternal want squeezing her heart, "Please, I promise. None of us will hurt you. Please, come out."
"I…"
"She will do nothing." The door had opened silently. Naraku stood in its frame, hair flowing, eyes snapping with amusement. Terror clogged the atmosphere immediately. "I am happy to see you all have met my apprentice."
Apprentice?
"Kanna…come."
In a split second hesitation there was a scramble of sawdust and a little girl, bathed in white, floated on angel feet that hardly made a sound on the floor towards the Lucifer incarnate. She was an albino child, shoulder length white hair and skin as pale downy feathers. But instead of red eyes, her orbs were clean light blue; honest and translucent, almost like diamonds. She slowed at his side and hugged herself as Naraku placed a hand atop her head.
"Perhaps not apprentice…she is quite dainty and useless. But there is something about her, don't you agree, that commands attention and obedience. My men absolutely adore her…or fear her, I cannot tell which sometimes. She was just a careless whim. An indulgence, if you will." His snake-like fingers curled through her ebony strands. "I do so enjoy having her around. She and Kohaku get along quite well."
"Kohaku…" Kagome heard Sango moan.
Naraku's face split in a feral grin.
"Now…let us get on with business." He clapped his hands and stepped to the side. Those three nit wits walked into the room, brandishing lengths of coiled rope and duct tape. Kagome grew cold. They were going to tie them up, make them vulnerable and unable to resist whatever Naraku had planned.
She wasn't going to allow that!
Everyone scattered, or at least Kagome did, the children were too slow and Sango too incapacitated. Shippo, in a flash, was tied up and the end of the cable was thrown over the overhead banister. Soon he was swaying upside down like a pendulum.
Sango dazedly fought but the two thugs were too much for her and tape was crudely slapped over her mouth. Rin, slightly heavier than Shippo, was giving the one trying to hang her upside down a bit of trouble.
When they were through, the three minions turned to Kagome and stalked forward. Kagome envisioned the skeletons outside, the fear and pleading in her companions' eyes—the kids! The kids!—Inuyasha! Nausea billowed like smoke behind her eyes while that unmistakable heat flared into her palms. Skeletons, gleaming skulls, rancid fingers stripped of muscles and flesh…Naraku was walking calmly over to Rin, holding out a hand to stroke her cheek…Shippo's eyes were filling with tears…
"DON'T YOU TOUCH THEM! You are tainted!" The lackeys stopped in confusion and surprise as Kagome lifted her hands, palms pointed out in front of her. "You are all soaked in sin. I will not allow you to touch them! GET AWAY!" Pink shot out of her fingertips like ribbons, wrapping around the men and Naraku, pushing them back, and throwing them against the wall.
Kanna was left unscathed. One little trimming of pink actually pushed her forward, closer to Sango. Kagome walked forward, mind blank, arms held high. She stood in front of Kanna and then swept her hands out in an arc.
"You're not going to touch them." She hissed; her voice strong, unwavering, and almost inhumanly loud. The ribbons grew fat and connected like water droplets on car windows, forming a bubble surrounding the group. "You are not clean."
Then her eyes cleared, Kagome's hands plopped limply to her sides, and she crumbled to her knees, bathed in sweat. The barrier held strong.
Naraku howled in rage. "NO! You were supposed to have lost this power!" He ran forward like a charging rhino, fists braced. But when he slammed them down on the pink, shimmering wall, electricity coated him and threw him back like a mere rag doll. His howl turned to a baritone screech. "No! I thought the last time was a fluke. I can't have been wrong! You are not supposed to do this!" Again and again he struck the bubble and again and again he was hurled back. His stringy black hair fizzled outwards and stuck to his clothes with static cling. "NO!"
Kagome remained tranquil. She watched him with something like amusement and pity rolled in one. Her breathing had slowed and for once she felt in control. "Get away." She whispered. Naraku's eyes dilated and his skin grew sheer white. He brought shaky hands to his cheeks and with great effort, reigned himself in.
He stood. "Very well. This was unexpected. But like all plans, uncertain variables pop up and you must find a different route." He smiled and her inner peace was shaken. "Perhaps this will work in my benefit. I cannot get to you…but that also means my dear…you cannot get out." Kagome's mouth went dry.
Naraku snapped his fingers and one of his slaves hurried forth and put up a video camera on top of a metal stand. "Now smile pretty. I am sure everyone at Head Quarters is worried about you."
The slave also set up a chair and Naraku regally sat down in front of the camera. He folded his hands. "Yes…this may prove extremely…beneficial."
Inuyasha and Miroku got to the viewing room before anyone else. And the hanyou ripped the tape out of the agent's hands without a single word. He strolled to the nearest TV. His hands were shaking so terribly that the video missed the VCR slot a few times. "Dammit! Why didn't he do a stupid DVD?"
Miroku gripped Inuyasha's wrist and the hanyou hung his head. "I-it'll be…" It'll be alright? He couldn't finish it. His mind could hardly even function. Sango? Inuyasha took a deep breath and with Miroku's white hand still clamped on his wrist, he pushed the tape in and pressed play.
The two boys pretty much crumpled to the ground, unable to hold each other up. Sesshomaru and his team made it in just in time.
The screen grew white and then was filled with a pink hue. A shadow appeared and began to form into a humanoid shape. As things grew in focus, things for the people in the room grew confused.
"What's the…the pink thing?" Miroku whispered.
"I…does that seem familiar to you?" Inuyasha shivered as he stared. He couldn't place it…the—barrier—miko—pink thing was bothering him.
"It looks like a giant balloon."
"Or a kaleidoscope."
"There's something moving inside it!"
Miroku and Inuyasha leaned in. The camera, like reading their minds, zoomed forward. The teenagers gaped. "It's the girls!"
"And look! There's Rin and Shippo! They're okay."
By that, Sesshomaru ran forward and collapsed to his knees next to his brother. "Thank the Lord…she's alright."
On the screen Kagome was untying Rin and carefully ripping the tape off her lips. Shippo and Sango were already free. They all stared into the lens. Sango's mouth formed a soundless word and Miroku tensed. Sango…she said my name.
Attention was drawn to the humanoid figure sitting in the chair. Sesshomaru bristled by distinctive tenor. It was Naraku, his face shrouded in shadow.
"Good afternoon, Chief. I hope this tape has gotten to you safely. It is a special message that I wish for only your eyes to see. But alas…that is not what is happening is it?" He chuckled and waved. "Hello Inuyasha."
Sesshomaru steadied the hanyou as a shudder ran through him. The voice on the phone…my parent's murderer…this is the bastard!
"I hope to be reunited with you soon, Inuyasha. It has been a long…time. We have much to catch up on." The hand flourished to the group behind him. "And there are several people here who wish to see you as well. You are probably wondering about this pink wall separating my guests and I. Unfortunately the years have erased such knowledge to you and it would take to long for me to explain it. Such sweet torture it is for me…to be the only one who remembers…" Red eyes suddenly sparked through the shadows.
Naraku coughed delicately, "Yes, but let me not wallow and keep you from what you desire. I suppose you wish to see my guests home to their families…and you…safely. And like all ruffians running from the law…I have demands that must be seen fit."
"What do you want?" Inuyasha yelled, knowing he couldn't hear but needing to yell all the same. "MONEY! Some plane trip to Mexico? What, damn you!"
Naraku leaned forward and everyone in the room was held spell bound. Not once had anyone seen this man's face, not even Chief himself. But Inuyasha already knew…as light suffused his cheekbones…a child's nightmare was unveiled.
Grey threatened to swallow him whole.
…a wicked chuckle reached his hearing… a tall man dressed head to toe in a stifling black…not covering the immoral gleam of his red eyes and the shine of his perfectly white teeth turning up into a malicious grin.
His hood covered the rest of his face but those eyes…those eyes laughed maniacally at the poor boy. A cold hand clenched his insides as the man lifted a slender willowy hand …with a distorted finger. A thick dark liquid dripped from his nails in slow plops, staining the carpet…
"My only wish…is for us to meet again. Come Inuyasha…come Lord Sesshomaru…let us reminisce our pasts together. You can bring as many weapons and agents you wish, hell, even the police. But you will come into my home…" the grin, that malicious grin. "Or more as…our home…alone. If not...I can no longer get to the miko and taijiya …but perhaps this will suffice."
A young boy was thrown to the floor at Naraku's feet. He grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled him in view. Behind him, Sango was screaming. "Chief, meet Kohaku. Remember the scene, parents brought to the same fate as your own? The boy gone. The lucky sister spared. That was our first meeting, a truly happy one. Fortunately I have not yet killed him…you wouldn't wish for it to happen now, correct? Not in front of such innocent eyes."
"Rin…" This time Inuyasha had to steady his brother, before the TV met an untimely fate.
Naraku released Kohaku who, still drugged, fell in a heap below the camera's view. He sat back and the black descended. His legs crossed with one foot tapping in mid air. "Now…the clock is ticking…tick…tick…I expect you here at midnight. Cliché? Yes. But such a beautiful hour, don't you agree?"
A deathly whisper. A demon's song. "We'll be waiting."
Things clicked black and the VCR stopped whirring.
Midnight? Too many hours. How could they possibly wait that long?
Inuyasha abruptly stood to his feet. "Let's go now! Catch him in surprise. Let's end this NOW!"
"We can't. For now, let us do as he says. Midnight will give us time." Sesshomaru rubbed his forehead, trying to come up with something. Inuyasha and Miroku wouldn't allow it.
"Time? Who gives a shit?"
"Inuyasha's right! Why not go now?"
O'Hara shouted over them, "Because!—for one, we do not even know where they are."
Inuyasha growled, "Are you that stupid? They're at our old house! Didn't you hear what that bastard said? 'Our home'? It's where Sesshomaru and I used to live before they took us away."
Sesshomaru stood up and nodded to the gaping bystanders. "Yes, Inuyasha is right." The teen crossed his arms smugly. "But that does not mean we're going."
He gaped. "What?"
The demon held up a hand before an argument started. "Little brother, I have allowed you and…everyone…to indulge in this affair to much already. For once, please…let us do our jobs." He wearily held a hand up to the door. "Go. Both of you."
"You're going to let me go." Inuyasha balled his fists. "He said I had to! You have to let me go!"
Chief's eyes flashed red. But his anger quickly deflated. "Go. I'll discuss things with you later. You should see to Mrs. Higurashi."
By the name of Kagome's mother, Inuyasha and Miroku finally complied. They shuffled to the exit and Inuyasha slammed the door closed.
Sesshomaru stiffened and turned to his team. "Arena…James…"
The couple locked hands, "You're going to let us help you!"
Chief rolled his eyes, "Inuyasha is a terrible influence. Now everyone is undermining my command." He finally nodded. "Come. We have…ah, how quaint…exactly twelve hours to come up with a plan."
James gave an experimental grin. When Chief showed no anger or betrayal, the grin turned real. He clapped his hands.
"Then let's get crackin'!"
A notebook took flight and splattered against the far wall. Papers spewed out and danced along the carpet. "Damn him." Inuyasha hissed.
Miroku agreed and sat down on the couch. Mrs. Higurashi was being comforted, along with the rest of the family, in the kitchen. That had been one difficult conversation.
"What are we going to do?"
"Yeah, like hell we're going to let Sesshomaru handle everything!" Miroku smiled that Inuyasha had gotten his hidden meaning.
"No way in hell." His smile faded. Inuyasha plopped on the ground in front of him.
"Any ideas?" The hanyou raked his hands though his hair and his leg started pumping up and down in agitation.
A light bulb began to glow in the past monk's head. He stood up and crossed the room, grabbing a phone off the counter. Inuyasha raised a brow and hurried to his side. "Hey, what the hell? Did you come up with something, Miroku?"
The monk shrugged nonchalantly, "Who knows, it may only complicate things. But it's better than doing nothing."
Inuyasha bubbled with excitement. "Come on, tell me!"
Miroku snickered and pressed 0. "Hello, Operator? Yes, could you please get me the number for the Eleven O'clock News?" Inuyasha's eyes widened. Miroku laughed as he pressed in the numbers, "Yes, hello, my name is Miroku. I believe you should patch me in to your director. No? Well, alright, but please inform him that there is a homicidal maniac holding two teenage girls, a kitsune and human girl child, hostage and there is a meeting with the authorities planned for tonight at midnight."
A pause.
Purple eyes gleamed. "Oh yes, I would be happy to hold."
This was humiliating. Ron Skyward flipped through his Japanese dictionary, trying to look up the word for rain.
He didn't come all the way here to this overcrowded island to be a weatherman! He was supposed to be with the big dogs, reporting suicide attempts and murders and drug busts. Not that it was going to snow in Nyuzen. Or rain…whatever! It was humiliating.
Those stupid anchormen back at home were probably laughing their asses off. Yeah, like some country boy from North Carolina could be a news reporter in Japan. What had he been thinking?
He was a quick learner and could thankfully understand the basics of this confusing language and his colleagues here at the Eleven O'clock news complimented him on his accent and ability to follow along with conversations. But alas…he was still Ron Skyward the weatherman! Skyward wasn't even his real last name. That had just been some cute nickname the director had given him to boost ratings or something. His last name was Smith. But that was boring.
Yeah. Especially when last names here were like Watanabe and Bangladesh or…Ron sighed and threw the pocket book dictionary to the ground. It didn't matter. His job sucked. His entire life sucked. Not even some cute Japanese chick had fallen at his feet.
I just need a break. Something…anything! His whining to the boss though, a formidable looking man (who was really only about four feet tall, but man did the guy have a set of lungs! His voice sometimes shook the overhanging lights) had been so far wasted. Nobody cared about good ol' Ronny. And he had been a brilliant leading anchorman back in New York! Nope…this wasn't the U.S. Things were different here.
Way different. I actually saw a vending machine selling bras this morning. What was he to do? I should just go home.
"Ron-san! Ron-san!" Someone cried, running into the mini kitchen where Ron had been brooding. It was his buddy Yukio, nice guy…kind of slow though. He was panting and making wild gesticulation pointing behind him. "Takaya-Sama wishes to see you. H-he has an assignment!"
Ronny didn't allow the excitement to grow. "What? Does he want me to report a hail storm in Bangladesh?"
"No! No! I'm sure that will be taken care of by someone else." Ron chuckled. Yep…slow. "It is a real assignment! Some teenager is on the line saying that three girls and a kitsune child are being held captive by some maniac! You must come quickly!"
Ron went still. A teenager…most likely a prank. Or my big break! He flung to his feet. "Well, it's about damn time!" He patted Yukio on the back as he ran past.
Takaya rubbed the bridge of his nose where a tension headache was growing. His feet dangled off his chair and swung back and forth in his agitation. It had to be a joke. Teenagers these days were crazy with their heroine and sex and there just wasn't any respect anymore. It had to be a joke.
But things had been slow recently. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to check into it. Yet why send his top people on this silly assignment? He had actually already asked and they all said no. Prissies, they all thought they were some famous celebrity. Every single one of them had a brain the sack of potatoes and mouths that constantly flubbed behind his back.
So the name Ron Smith had popped into his head. He knew the kid was drowning in boredom. And he was a great guy. Funny…smart as hell too. It's just Takaya was afraid if he was given an important anchor spot that perhaps one day he would forget a word and start spouting in English. Or accidentally cuss or…he didn't know why he hadn't yet fired one of those prissies and given Mr. Smith a spot. Maybe because he was a stubborn old fool who just didn't like change.
The headache floundered about beneath his fingertips like a fish. Ron Skyward was sitting before him patiently, arms crossed and resting on his chest. He just screamed American…a change in this station that could rock the boats. Why was he thinking about this now? Just tell the kid to get going. And then take some Tylenol.
"Alright Smith. I'm not going to lie to you. I'm probably sending you on some wild goose chase. It's a waste of your time. I mean, this Miroku kid told us to head to the old Takahashi manor. It has to be some prank."
Smith grinned and shrugged. "What are you going to do? Kids these days."
Takaya grunted in acknowledgement. Right now, his oldest daughter was probably skipping Science class and running all over town. "What I mean to say is…you don't have to do this."
"But I want to. Even if it is a joke, I can come up with something on the spot. Isn't it like the ten year anniversary of the Takahashi murders tomorrow?" Ron's grin crinkled the corner of his eyes. Yeah, Takaya liked this guy. "It'll be an interest story. A remembrance of some kind, I guess."
Takaya sighed, "The Takahashis were loved by all…until that boy was born. That might prove to be a problem."
"Ah, Inuyasha right? But it shouldn't be a problem now, what with those new laws. There has to be some more hanyous floating around out there."
"The law is still fresh."
Ron rubbed his chin. "I don't know what the problem is, really. I'm from a conservative part of the states but a child is a child and should be loved by all. America may have had the law a little while longer than Japan but it was accepted right off the bat." That wasn't entirely true. There had been some difficulties like with any new law. But it did surprise Congress how quickly those arguments died down. Seems like love transgressed farther along than the government.
"Things are different here."
Ron laughed, "Don't I know it. But come on, boss, what do you have to lose?"
Everything. Takaya closed his eyes. He was throwing himself into the lion pits. Don't be afraid of change. He needed a Tylenol desperately. "Okay Smith. Go look into it. If it seems like you might have something…call me. Take Yukio and his camera along with you…just in case, I guess." I don't know. What am I doing? He felt too old and than like the first day he took this job, all rolled into one.
Ron did a silent cheer and stood up. "Thanks!" He clapped his arms to his sides. "I mean…thank you very much, Takaya-sama." He bowed. Takaya signaled for him to go, not caring for formalities.
When Smith was just about to head out the door, Takaya spoke, "Whatever you do, Smith. Don't say 'Howdy'."
Ron's laughter forced a smile to appear on Takaya's face.
Butterflies were fluttering around in his stomach, wings made of iron, slashing at his intestines. This felt like his first mission, or the first day of school. It was unsettling. Sesshomaru gently sipped his cup of coffee and stared up at his old house through his binoculars.
Painful nostalgia ripped at his heart. He remembered green grass, bright red shutters, and windows that gleamed like diamonds in the morning sunlight. Not this shabby, broken haunted mansion; the very doors looking like gaping mouths; the shutters hanging off their hinges like fangs.
It was ten o'clock. The day had gone slow and the Tylenol he had taken before leaving hadn't kicked in yet.
Two more hours.
He had seen to Mrs. Higurashi, promising with all his heart to get her daughter back. He had asked about Inuyasha…she had shaken her head. He was locked in his "bedroom" with Miroku; the boys hadn't come out for hours.
They needed to be left alone, she said. Sesshomaru nodded and left. He didn't want to fight his brother. But the emotion gripping him when he holstered his gun was familiar.
The same emotion he felt as he watched the fuzzy outline of a small Inuyasha banging on the police car window, screaming his name. Why did he feel like something disastrous was going to happen?
Because Naraku always made bad things happen, that's what.
He drained his cup and placed it in the holder. The caffeine buzzed through his veins. Naraku was not going to be pleased when Inuyasha didn't show up. That made a smirk quirk Sesshomaru's lips. He was just going to have to chill and deal with it.
Two hours.
"He'll be expecting us." O'Hara whispered into the dark, sitting in the driver's seat.
Chief nodded. "He expects everything and anything. You'll still sneak in through the back. It's the only thing we can do."
O'Hara knew so and didn't complain. Again, like ever since he had dressed into his bullet proof vest, a flash of his parent's faces whipped into his head and his mother's voice--It's because we love you, honey.—singed his ears. He didn't know why they kept popping up. But weird things happened when under stress.
"James and Arena and Kagura will split up. Watch the perimeters." That was calming, going over the plan. It was a silly plan, a plan you see on cop shows and James Bond movies, but Naraku knew they were there, knew what they would do, every single plan he would be ready for. They just needed to make sure no one escaped and that the hostages would be rescued. No heroics.
Weird, unexpected things happen when under stress.
It's to keep us all safe.
The radio crackled. "Chief, we have a problem."
Both men tensed and Sesshomaru picked up the receiver. "What is it Agent Williams?" He already knew what it was.
"H.T. and Monk are here." In the background he could hear snickering and an exclamation of, "Cool, I have a code name too? But why Monk?" His brother, "Because that's what your name means idiot!" Their laughter was grating and Sesshomaru had to take a deep cleansing breath.
"Are you all so incompetent you can't handle a couple of teenage boys? I don't care if you have to stun gun them. Get them out of the proximities!" Those rash words troubled him. He had to stay cool. Chill.
James didn't seem bothered by his harsh tone. "Chief, the problem is bigger than just these two morons."
"Hey!"
"Inuyasha represents that comment!"
"Oi, shut up!"
"They brought the Eleven O'clock news."
Sesshomaru and O'Hara gaped at each other. The both shouted at the same time. "WHAT!"
Ron Smith Skyward couldn't believe his luck. Not only did this Miroku kid have a true story but the Takahashi brothers were here, reunited, and arguing! To top it all off, Inuyasha (awesome kid!) had given him to gist of the story and that this Naraku fellow was not only the one who kidnapped their girlfriends, Sesshomaru's adopted daughter, and this kitsune named Shippo, but was also the one who murdered his parents, the once most influential people in all of Japan whose case had never been solved!
He could do the Can-Can right about now!
Miroku, (Another great kid! Who said teenagers were awful?) chuckled and nudged his shoulder. "Hard to believe that Inuyasha used to be mute huh?"
"Mute?" Ron scribbled hurriedly in the pocket notebook he had brought with him. This was getting better and better. It was Christmas!
"Oh yeah, because of his heritage and being a hanyou, he was bullied horribly at school. Some guys tried to kill him at the school dance not too long ago."
Ron's gut plummeted. "No!"
Miroku's smile dimmed, "Yes. The bullying went farther…than normal bullying. It was attempted murder practically every day. Can you imagine dealing with that…and the memories of discovering your parents' bodies?"
Smith's good natured, Southern raised heart ached for the boy. "That's…that's awful."
"He didn't have a home either. He slept in the park; worked about four jobs or so to pay for his school tuition every month. All of that…stress I guess…stole his voice. Or maybe it was because…no one ever wanted to listen." Miroku's sad violet eyes began to glow again. "Kagome changed all that."
Ron swallowed hard, "And she…she is one of the girl's being held up there?" He pointed at the manor barely rising over the tree line. He rubbed his eyes as he stared at the top most windows. He kept thinking he was seeing a pink glow.
Miroku nodded. "Yes. And Sango as well. Along with Rin and Shippo. He has Sango's younger brother Kohaku too." Hatred, too adult and strong for such a young man, flared in his down cast eyes.
"Kohaku…was not that…"
"The missing boy? Yes. Naraku killed her parents, kidnapped him, and left Sango spared to deal with the tragedies alone."
Ron remembered the news back in New York. All those horrific murders had made it across the ocean.
"And that bastard—oh sorry kid—I mean, Naraku…he's up there?"
Miroku smiled by his slipped cuss. The mirth didn't last long. "Yeah, he's demanding to see Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. He's insane."
"Is he demanding a ransom?"
"No. Only to see them. That's all."
Ron's eyes widened. This Naraku person sure wasn't acting like those regular bad guys he always saw on CSI and shows like that. He continued to write in his notebook. "He's definitely insane."
Yukio, who had been relaying the tale to Takaya, flipped his cell phone closed and practically skipped over to them. "Ron-san! You did it! Your big break. Takaya-Sama wants you to take the story!"
Ron froze, smiled…and then whooped, pumping his fist in the air, momentarily ending the brother's argument. He ran over to Inuyasha and hugged the boy, bouncing around in circles. "I get to tell your story! Your story's going on the air tonight. LIVE! You did it! I did it! We did it!"
Inuyasha pushed him away and cautiously grinned. "Tonight?"
"Yes, tonight! And I get to do it!"
Inuyasha beamed and spun in a circle. "Yes! Yes! Yes!"
"Absolutely not!" Sesshomaru's growl ended the celebration. Ron felt a sense of doom come over him. "There will be no broadcast of this secret—may I say that again?—SECRET operation! I will not allow this organization and my team's personas to be jeopardized!"
"But Sesshomaru, they can change the names! They don't have to say anything about you or O'Hara or anything. We have to do this!"
"We don't have to do anything! Both of you are leaving. AND YOU!" Ron jumped. Demons were scary. "You are leaving and never speaking about this. Or help you God, no one will ever see you again in one piece!"
Ron gulped. "B-but, Chief, this story needs to be told. This can make Naraku's plans…v-very difficult. I promise we won't shoot any of you. No interviews. I won't mention this organization. I'll just say a…an outside…heck I'll just say it was the FBI! Please…this needs to be told. What about freedom of speech a-and…"
"This is not America. Things are different, Mr. Smith. You are leaving." Sesshomaru's eyes began to glow a blood red. Ron shuddered but didn't back down.
Inuyasha growled and grabbed his black sleeve, pulling Sesshomaru down and breaking his glare. "Sesshomaru, this is not your decision."
"Not my decision? I have every right and power to make this decision! You do not make these decisions Inuyasha!" He ripped Inuyasha's hand off his clothes and started to walk away.
"Big brother! Listen to me! I haven't said a dog gone word for like seven years or… whatever. Too long you, I, and that bastard who has my girlfriend!—have stayed quiet. We need to do this. We need to speak up. The world needs to know!" Sesshomaru stopped and a visible youki radiated around his shoulders. He circled back around, fury in his gaze.
"Inuyasha…the world will not care! People watch T.V. for entertainment. People see these kinds of headlines and are interested for maybe a couple of days, talk about it over tea, and then…will not care! What will this possibly do for you…for us! For this team? This is putting Kagome…and…this is putting Rin in danger, Inuyasha! You are risking everything! This is a delicate situation, don't you get that? This is suicide!"
Inuyasha was left with his mouth hung open and Sesshomaru panting. Everyone was silent and wide eyed. Soon, the hanyou awoke from his shock and balled his hands. "We had to do something. We weren't going to stand around useless."
"You've most likely killed them."
Inuyasha flinched but shook his head, "Damn you. You should have just taken me along. But this is a good idea, Sesshomaru. We might as well try it. You have nothing! Shed light on what Naraku is doing!"
"Sesshomaru-Sama…" the demon whirled around, and Ron managed not to wince. "In…in my country, w-we have this show…c-called America's Most Wanted. Wh-where they show the public the most outrageous and dangerous criminals out there, who are walking in our streets. They ask for…for my people to look out for these murderers and rapists and…whomever…and to call if they've seen them or heard about them."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Sesshomaru asked dangerously.
Ron squared his shoulders. "People do care! T.V. is a tool that should be used to your benefit. This show has caught 800 or so dangerous men and women! It works! It makes people believe they can make a difference. You may think it's a long shot…and it might be…but you need to do this. Please."
"This can kill them!" Pain erupted in his amber eyes. Rin…
"But it can save them too."
"Come on, bro." Inuyasha whispered.
Sesshomaru looked down, avoiding everyone's eyes, trying to think. Kagura walked up and placed a hand on his shoulder. Warmth flooded his system and the tension in his neck eased. "It's worth a try." She lulled in his ear.
He gave a mighty sigh, a sound that threatened to leave him deflated on the ground. He raked his fingers through his hair, clenching the white strands tightly. "Fine. But you will not come into the house."
Ron almost wanted to weep in joy. Inuyasha and Miroku give each other a thumb's up.
Kagura, when no one was looking, hugged him lightly. "It was hard. I know." Sesshomaru closed his eyes, relishing the small amount of comfort. His wrist watch started beeping.
Anxiety pressed down on them like a living entity. He looked at the neon green screen. Two hours didn't last that long. It was 11: 50 PM. He had set it ten minutes early. Sesshomaru didn't like to be late.
"You are all staying here." He signaled for his team. "Let's go."
Inuyasha watched them walk away, looked back at Miroku and Ron, almost hopping from one foot to the other. "Dammit…" He had to do this. Or Naraku would kill them.
He sprinted with all his might, ignoring his brother's furious cry.
The mansion loomed overhead, the wind whistling through the boards sending a wistful and hypnotic cry. Calling for them, calling for the young boys who had once housed inside its blood stained walls.