A.N: Oo, I'm actually nervous! I hope I don't dissapoint.
There's about two chapters left, though I would like to get to forty. Who knows?
The Silent Hanyou
Chapter 37
There was a new feeling growing in the pit of Kanna's stomach. It fanned outwards and sent warm tingles across her skin. It felt like she was being wrapped in a thick fuzzy blanket; a magic blanket that could keep the monsters away.
She felt safe. Protected. For the first time in ages.
But when she looked out past the bright pink wall, over to her scowling master, that old terror and listlessness poked up again. Master is angry. That small monotone voice would whisper. Go back to him. You are his.
The girl jumped when suddenly Kagome knelt down next to her, "Are you okay, Kanna-Chan?"
Kanna felt more buried emotions resurface: happiness, shyness, embarrassment, shame, sadness. She fought against tears and laughter when Kagome smiled gently. All Kanna could do—Master is watching—was nod. The heat of her master's gaze seared the back of her neck.
Kagome must have felt it too and wrapped her arms around Kanna's shoulders, pulling her into a tight, shielding embrace. "I'm going to get you out of here." The miko whispered. Kanna felt a small elation in her spirit but the panic overpowered it.
They will die. Never to leave. Master will make it so.
Her eyes traveled to her master's face and she shivered as those black, black orbs seemed to suck her in. They sent a message: You will also never leave.
Strange words then floated to the front of Kanna's brain. They had appeared before…in the beginning…when she was first taken…but as the days turned to weeks and turned to months, those words lost meaning and were forgotten. Until today. And as she unconsciously muttered them, Kanna freed herself from the abyss of Naraku's eyes.
God save me.
Inuyasha was able to make it to the manor's front door before Sesshomaru got him in a head lock.
"What do you think you're doing?" Chief whispered vehemently.
Inuyasha writhed and barked, "You can't make me go back!"
"Oh yes I can! You are not going to run into danger again, dammit!"
"Like I run into danger on purpose." Inuyasha pulled out of his brother's hold and saw his pointed look. Inuyasha scoffed, "Okay, so maybe right now but that doesn't count!"
"Inuyasha, you are going back. My agents and I can take care of this without your help!"
"But Naraku said we both had to go! If I don't go with you, who knows what he'll do to Kagome or…or Kohaku. I will not just stand by and let that bastard do what he wants!"
"But this is what he wants, Inuyasha! He wants to lead both of us into a trap!"
"Weren't you going to do that anyway? Why not take me along?"
Sesshomaru looked ready to strangle him, "Because I—you're not an agent!"
"Like that's got anything to do with this—"
"It has everything to do with this!"
"Chief…" the dogs ignored the radio call. But the eerie quake of the mansion doors opening effortlessly shut them up. Inuyasha unsheathed his claws while Sesshomaru whipped out his gun.
"Damn it, Inuyasha." The hanyou smirked.
A hand emerged from the opened jamb and beckoned for them to come up the steps. The Takahashi brothers cautiously did so, ready for any surprises.
"Welcome. Come inside." The gravelly voice sounded like it came right out of some American Stephen King film. The hand disappeared and before Sesshomaru could stop him, Inuyasha pushed himself inside. Cuss words were running through his head as the demon followed.
The house didn't look anything like they remembered it. Cobwebs and dust and broken window fragments littered the place; there was garbage and a foul smell permeated from the once vinyl wood walls; the lights were off and dull candles were the only source of luminosity revealing their host.
Shadows danced off of the goon's imposing muscles, barely fitting inside the monkey suit he was wearing. It was a laughable sight to see such a man so formal. Naraku really was insane. Inuyasha swallowed a snicker when the lackey spoke uncomfortably, "Please follow me. I will show you to the master." It was like seeing an overgrown gorilla trying to be a butler.
The gorilla dude turned and started making his way up the stairs. The brothers followed his lumbering gait, sending glares at each other all the way. It was better to be frustrated with one another then to reminisce and fall back into an abyss of nightmares when they grew closer to what was once their parents' room.
Of course it would be there. Naraku really was doing things straight out of a Hollywood horror film. Making fun of the man managed to keep Inuyasha calm as the lackey opened the door and bowed.
"Your guests have arrived…master." Gorilla grumbled, not looking pleased about this whole deal. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru stepped into the softly glowing room, pink radiating off of every surface.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha hissed when he saw her. The miko, who was hugging a strange albino child, stood up mouthing his name. She didn't look pleased.
And she wasn't.
"What are you doing here? Are you stupid? It's a trap, numb nuts!"
Inuyasha couldn't really hear what she was saying but by the fire in her eyes, he knew he was not in high favor at the moment. "What the heck are you yelling at me for? I'm here to rescue you, can't you tell?"
"Oh but I do believe you are the one in need of saving Inuyasha."
The hanyou would not allow himself to show weakness. He masked the shiver by tensing his muscles and cracking his knuckles, shouting out into the shadows. "Show yourself, Naraku."
"We have come just as you asked. What is your plan now?" Sesshomaru made a pointed step forward, brandishing his weapon. Naraku's gorilla men growled and took out their knives and guns.
A figure stood up and waved his arm. The goons lowered their defenses. "Why do we not…talk? Let's have a pleasant conversation, catch up on old times. What do you say?" Naraku stepped into the pink light and sipped from a glistening champagne glass.
Inuyasha bristled. "What do you really want, bastard?" Sesshomaru nudged his shoulder rather hard, an indication for him to shut his trap!
Naraku chuckled by the hanyou's brazen words. "I will receive what I want in due time. For now, sit, be comfortable, perhaps have some wine. It is your father's special, imported straight from Europe, a unique brew. It really does taste better after time has passed. And what has it been…ten years? Ah, so long ago since the last time we met like this. Inuyasha was just a pup then. Such a cute face." Naraku's eyes flashed, along with his perfectly white teeth. "A child's fear is most beautiful." He whispered deep in his chest.
Sesshomaru stepped in front of Inuyasha before he could do anything. "Will you answer a question for me, Naraku? That is, since we are having this pleasant chat."
Naraku laughed and nodded, "Please, go right ahead. I would be honored."
Chief knew he needed to eat up time. Kagura and the others were probably trying to sneak in undetected right about now. Who knew how many other gorillas Naraku had standing watch. If he could just keep these guys busy…things could be over right quick without the need of shedding blood.
By the tightness of his gut, Sesshomaru knew things would not go as hopefully planned.
"Why us?" Chief knocked down on the years of childhood torture and pain, the confusion and anger. He needed to stay clinical, in an agent's mind of thinking. His voice stayed level and cold.
Naraku seemed pleased. But Inuyasha sensed a rage beginning to churn in his black eyes. "Ah, the age old question: 'Why me'?" He paced, a slow leisured walk, forever sipping and swirling his drink. "Yes, this conversation has long since been overdue, has it not? I would be most happy to answer your question. But where, oh where to begin?"
With a theatrical expression, Naraku found his words.
"It took me years of planning and raising my resources. I have actually become a very successful businessman. But you wouldn't know that Chief. Anonymity surely is a wonderful thing. By my different avenues of undertakings and takeovers, I am worth perhaps a few million. Give or take. But the only importance of that was for this life long endeavor. Your father never trusted me, smart man. His lawyers fell in love with what I was willing to deal but in the end, he always said 'no'."
"You're not answering my question. Did you kill him and my mother because he wasn't being cooperative with your business transactions?" Sesshomaru knew he would rip out this man's esophagus by his bare hands if money was the only reason for such brutality.
"No, Chief, not at all. Money is of no importance to me. Not even power, though it is quite enjoyable. My life has been run by a different force. Revenge seems so cliché but alas, that is it. It was for revenge. Are you following me?"
Inuyasha growled darkly, "What did our parents ever do to you? Are you some hanyou hater?" His inner child winced: was it because of me?
"Again, no. Your parents were nothing to me. They were but pawns, if you will, in my grander plan."
"Then why did you kill them?"
"What the hell is your grander plan?"
The devilish rage exploded by their shouting and Naraku's features turned grotesque and deformed. "It was all because of you!
You are the reason for it all!"
Yukio kept on laughing to himself as he readied the camera and sound. Ron knew he should be still jumping for joy but his intuition was telling him different. Things were not going to go down well. The Chief's crew had already run off, guns out and ready. Miroku and one agent-in-training were left with them.
The darkness surrounding them felt alive and hungry.
"Ron-San, we are going LIVE in five minutes. It is so exciting!" Yukio beamed and did a little hopping dance.
Ron smiled grimly. Terror was kneading in his intestines and there was an oddly familiar itching in his knees. A want, no…a need was growing in his Southern-raised Christian self. He had denied that part of his soul for so long and tonight it was fighting back with a vengeance.
His business, human side wiggled in embarrassment but the need was too great.
There was evil in the air. Lucifer was at work.
Ron tried to be inconspicuous and go over to a shadowed side of his car so he could do this in peace, without any questioning glances. But he took one step and the terror intensified. His heart leaped to his throat and Ron fell to his knees.
He dropped his mike and notepad, clasped his hands and sunk into recognizable territory.
It was like coming home.
Ron Smith started to pray.
They floated across the lawn, the creaking of trampled grass sounding like trumpet blasts. Williams and Honda took the side where Chief told them was an opening to the kitchen. Kagura and O'Hara dashed to the back, going for the porch sliding doors.
O'Hara checked through the glass and ducked out of site when a shadow passed in front of the candle sitting on a dresser. Kagura was across from him, pasted to the wall. She held up three fingers: on the count of three. O'Hara nodded.
One finger was put down.
O'Hara's mind then did a strange thing. He started thinking about a beach trip he had taken with his parents. He had been about five. He could taste the salt in the air blowing in from the ocean. There was no one around. Their vacations were always to remote places. It had been so much fun. His daddy had taught him how to make sandcastles…
Another finger was bent.
O'Hara shook his thoughts. That wasn't like him at all. Not on missions! Especially not one as important as this. Sesshomaru had come into this business just to snag this guy. O'Hara couldn't jeopardize things by day dreaming. Yet the nostalgic and bitter sweet memories still lightly held on.
Kagura signaled for them to go. The footsteps on the other side of the glass had lessened, leaving the room. O'Hara successfully broke the lock (having demon blood was great sometimes) and cautiously slid open the door. They slinked inside.
Arena and James met them at the bottom of the stairs. They could hear a deep booming yell coming from the top.
Kagura made hand gestures signifying that she and O'Hara would go up first. Williams and Honda were to come up after and take anyone who ran out to the hallway.
Nods and supportive smiles.
O'Hara, as he tiptoed up the steps, was now thinking about when his mommy had taught him to ride his bike.
"It was all because of you! Because of you, I never got the jewel!" Saliva was flying from Naraku's lips and everyone was stiff with shock by the maniac animal possessing the once formal, polite killer.
His lackeys finally jerked from their stupor and grabbed Naraku by the shoulders, shaking him and yelling, "Hey, Naraku, come on! Get a hold of yourself!"
It took a good length of time for him to do so. "It was because of you! It was all because of you!" It was a slow progress of deep breaths and loosening muscles but Naraku did eventually gain control of himself.
Inuyasha and Sesshomaru glanced at each other. This was not the character they had imagined all those years. The murderer was at war with himself.
Sesshomaru stiffened and gradually pivoted slightly, catching the scent of Kagura and O'Hara coming up the stairs. Luckily, the only demon of Naraku's goons was a reptilian-alligator of sorts, not known for their keen sense of smell. Chief slowly pushed back his foot and tapped the door; it had been ajar and gratefully opened a little ways without making a noticeable sound.
His nerves were stretching taunt. This really wasn't his best of game-plans; he felt more like a movie director. But this wasn't time to be unconfident now. He readied himself for when he'd make the signal.
Naraku's face went slack and the red in his cheeks dissipated. He closed his eyes and hissed, "Put me down." The minions didn't go fast enough. "I said…put me down!" They dropped him to his feet and Inuyasha was disappointed when he didn't fall on his butt. Naraku dusted himself off and straightened his crinkled suit. He showed no sign of noticing the broken glass and that wine was soaking his sparkling shoes. "I am sorry you had to witness such a spectacle. I suppose I am just…excited."
Inuyasha wrinkled his brows. A manipulative and murderous businessman was one thing, but his apparent mental illness drove deeper than they had first thought. They had very well been walking on eggshells before. With this added ingredient, the eggshells had now been soaked with kerosene. And Naraku was holding the match.
He didn't like where this was going. The reason he didn't like it…was because he had absolutely no idea where it was going. Naraku only had three minions and most of his hostages were safely sealed away by only God-knew-what. What did he have up his sleeve to tilt things in his favor? Or…did he have anything at all?
"What were you talking about? What jewel?" Inuyasha wished he'd stolen a gun from that mafia closet.
Naraku licked his lips but kept calm. "Of course you do not remember. None of you remember. I am the only one who does. And because of that, I can never live my life in peace. I am forever tormented by those memories!" He breathed through his nose and shuddered. "I have spent my life finding you, watching you, formulating what I would do to torture you, ruin you, like you had done to me. And I have succeeded on the most part. But you always manage to keep fighting. Always fighting…just this time you don't have your precious swords!"
He was human but the growl leaving his mouth sounded all too demonic. "I didn't want them to separate you. You were meant to be together. That was a minor set-back. It took me years to find both of you and think of a way to coincidentally reunite the Takahashi brothers. Lord Sesshomaru becoming Chief helped matters. That was when I decided to speak up again and rekindle the past. All I had to do was cause some mischief. Murder is such an amusing pastime. I started with the monk's parents, made it look like an unfortunate accident. But I got tired of the accident routine quickly and made a pointed show in killing that taijiya's parents." He pointed to Sango and his eye twitched.
Inuyasha's blood boiled. "And you convinced her it was me who killed them?"
Naraku was pleased. "Yes. You are much cleverer in this life. I did convince her for a time that you were the murderer. It wasn't meant to last long, just to get all of you together. I wanted all of us to reunite, every last one of us. Down to that kitsune and darling Rin." He sent a lustful grin to the ones watching in the pink bubble.
"Did you kill her family as well?" Sesshomaru's finger tensed on the trigger of his gun.
"Yes, very good! This time it was me instead of that wolf, Kouga."
"Kouga? What in the hell are you talking about?" Inuyasha was having a hard time staying on track. Taijiya…monk?
Naraku's black orbs were too wide and were darting around too much. He ignored the hanyou's questions. "Oh, and there was the miko's father. I got him when he was driving home from work. I wanted to get the rest of her family as well. I had never killed an old man before. But alas, they moved before I could do so. Luckily they came here. Fate was on my side. I decided to let it run its course and leave her family untouched. Although I was a little disappointed...Mrs. Higurashi would have made a lovely scream."
Inuyasha jerked and his eyes grew red, "Why you—"His brother held out an arm and stopped him yet again.
We need to keep him talking. We need to hear it all. It was answering so many questions, tying up all the loose ends. Why did villains always rant about their past history?
Kagura and O'Hara were kept waiting, listening to every word. Although O'Hara was half-consciously going over the time his parents had read him stories and wrestled on the living room floor.
Naraku's head tilted at a bizarre angel, as if listening to some far off voice. He spoke with awe and consideration, "I had a major upset…along the way. I lost one of my contacts. I really should have known. She has betrayed me before." His blue-nearly-black eyes than grew terribly focused, almost all seeing, and glared at the door. "She fell in love…like before. But she did leave my little agent alone. And he obeyed marvelously. She was too late in revealing him. As she was too late in everything…saving her family, saving Kanna, saving herself…you can come out now Kagura."
From behind the door, the ice woman's heart froze in place.
Miroku watched Ron pray and was dealing with a thick emotion, something that felt an awful lot like jealousy. Jealousy…and a little bit of longing. He didn't want to bother him, but he needed to ask, although it was quite a stupid question.
"What are you doing?"
Ron blinked and slowly came out of wherever he had been. He looked up sheepishly but there was a light in his eyes, a peace. "Sorry. My old man was a preacher. Retired now. Hmm…I haven't done something like that in awhile. Guess you can't run from God now can you?" His southern accent had leaked into his Japanese but Miroku didn't mind. Ron's chuckle increased the yearning in Miroku's heart.
"You do not practice Hinduism…"
"No, I'm a Christian. What are you?"
Miroku felt ashamed. "I am nothing. After my parents were killed…in a car accident…I…"
"Lost touch? Gave up? It's an old song played by too many out there, kid. Kind of sad." Ron stood up, looking and feeling stronger. "Sorry about that…you know…if I made you uncomfortable at all."
"No. No, not at all."
Ron saw the look in the teenager's eyes or a higher being uttered to him what he should do. Either way or more perhaps both, Ron heard himself say, "Would you like to pray with me?"
The kid looked like a lost puppy being beckoned inside a warm home. "Yes, if you don't mind." His smile faltered. "Though I…I don't really know how…I can't…"
"Doesn't matter, I'll lead it. Never liked to back home but for some reason…I feel pretty confident right about now. Come on." Miroku awkwardly knelt down to his knees and clasped his hands together. Ron grinned. "Okay, now just bow your head and close your eyes. Dear Father in Heaven…"
As Ron Smith prayed again, with a new partner, he kept thinking about how proud he had felt for his father when he had led the morning prayers back at home. And how angry he had been when he had been a teenager and thought he was all that. I think I should go home…visit the folks.
It sure wouldn't hurt.
And Lord, it sure wouldn't hurt if you'd look over the people in that manor over there. The Takahashi brothers need it…I'm sure.
Boy, did she need a miracle right about now.
Kagura didn't move. Not until Sesshomaru finally sighed and said, "Go ahead. Come in."
Never before had she felt the want to bolt. But she stifled it, stood up and came through the door, making sure to cover O'Hara so he wouldn't be seen.
It was pointless.
"Your friend is welcomed to join us as well. And from what I have learned from Jimmy, he and his sweet-heart Arena are probably out there also. Why don't we invite them up? Everyone is welcome." Naraku sighed wistfully, like he was some lonely old neighbor.
Sesshomaru closed his eyes for a fraction. He had known the entire time. He took out his radio, "Agent Williams, Agent Honda, come on up. Don't cause a problem." Calling over his shoulder, "You too, Agent O'Hara."
Footsteps met their ears and the three adults cautiously strode into the room, guns pointed at Naraku.
Naraku tutt-tutted, "Oh, now, now, there is no need for so many weapons. Wouldn't want to scare the children would you? Especially little Kohaku here." He grabbed the unconscious boy by the hair and ripped him to a limp standing position. The child's eyelids fluttered and he moaned.
Sango cried his name.
"No, no, you wouldn't want an unfortunate accident…now would you?" He smoothly took out a slender jeweled knife. It looked an awfully like one used for sacrifices. Naraku gently placed the sharp edge on Kohaku's throat.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. He understood now.
Naraku was buying for time.
The knife was pressed deeper, threatening to slice skin. Sesshomaru nodded—he would play along for now—"Put your weapons down."
"What?"
"But Chief?"
He gave them each a pointed glare. "I gave you an order."
Inuyasha stared at his brother questionably as metal clanged on wood.
"Why, thank you." Naraku smiled but didn't release hold of either Kohaku or the weapon. "Now with that distraction out of the way…let me continue. Or maybe…Miss Kagura should continue for me." His eyes flashed and Kagura went stiff with dread.
"What is he talking about?" Arena asked innocently.
Kagura's mind was sent spinning, trying to find a loophole, an escape, an excuse, to lie, to disregard what Naraku was saying. But it couldn't be helped; she knew that. Inside her heart, something was cracking and aching.
"I knew Agent Williams was working for Naraku be-because I was told...that Naraku would have another spy." She couldn't breathe. He was staring, questioning…realizing. I'm sorry.
"What do you mean? How did you find out?"
Sesshomaru closed his eyes, "'Another'?"
He was always spot on. Kagura couldn't feel her legs; she was floating, about ready to fall through the cracks of the floor. Naraku was trying to hold in laughter. "I—"Deep breath. Now was the time for redemption. "It was me."
Fortunately there was no dramatic, soap opera gasp. Just silence.
Somehow…that was worse.
"You worked for him?" Arena shouted. O'Hara blinked slow, looking a little lost and confused. Kagura nodded and Agent Honda looked like she had just been slapped.
Williams took the floor. "Yes, she did." He sent her an apologetic but understanding glance. It read—'it's hard but you'll survive'. Kagura wasn't so sure. She couldn't look at him, to see the disappointment and betrayal. James went on to the stunned crowd. "I knew the entire time. I was ordered not to give her away. I always knew you were suspicious of me…like I was of you, in the beginning." The phone call, that dark, dark night.
Kagura nodded, her jaw crunching so forcefully she thought she could hear her teeth cracking.
Naraku laughed, big and booming. "This is the reason I kept your identity secret, my dear Kagura, all just to see your face. It is all the more sour when you are in love, is it not? The pain in your eyes…just like before when I commanded you to kill him; you disobeyed…and you did that again this time around. I knew you would but I kept you alive, I kept you around, all so I could see that look on your face. It was worth it." His face lowered, growing more satanic.
Sesshomaru felt something hurting inside. But it wasn't as bad as that other feeling. The one that mocked him: I told you so. But did you listen? He wasn't sure: was it his heart or his pride that ached more?
Kagura spoke past the dry cotton of her mouth, "I will kill you."
"You were unsuccessful last time. You will be unsuccessful now. Don't make the same mistakes again, my dear." Naraku sing-sang. She wanted to shoot him, grab her gun and do it now, but her legs were still numb; it couldn't be done.
Kagura forced herself to turn. Sesshomaru met her gaze and it scared her how she didn't know what he was thinking, what he was feeling. The words trickled, getting stuck in the lump in her throat. "I was sent to watch you, to wait for when…he would order me to kill you. I didn't know about Inuyasha. I didn't know…that he was the one responsible for your parents' deaths. Not in the beginning. H-he murdered my family also when I was just a child a-and he adopted me. I've been his ever since. I did whatever he said. I…I tried to get out…please, believe me, I tried…but I guess…I guess I only made things worse…I'm sorry."
The tears would have to wait. But they would come. They would come.
"I'm sorry."
Chief Sesshomaru watched her, listened to her speech and ignored the ache, then he straightened, then he turned, and his face never changed, the stone never cracked. "It's over, Naraku. Enough surprises, enough talk. You're waiting for something. You're trying to distract us." He glowered and red passed over his golden irises. "Get on with it."
The words, devoid of any cussing or yelling, were still highly effective. Naraku dropped Kohaku, sheathed his knife, and took out a cell phone. He chuckled as he dialed a number, "Alright, alright. I have eaten quite enough of your time. I'll…get on with it, as you said." They watched him warily, not knowing what would come next.
"Please be patient for a moment as I make a small call. You see, that blasted miko over there," he insulted Kagome pleasantly, like it was a cute nickname, "single-handedly purified all of my cohorts. Another set back. Another problem needing to be fixed. Such is life." He shrugged and held the phone to his ear. "This will only take a moment."
Inuyasha was still struggling to stay on track. His suspicions and bad feelings of Kagura had been correct; his friends kept on being referred to as miko, taijiya, and monk; Naraku kept spouting crap about 'last time', 'this life', 'once again', 'before', 'reunion', and whatever else he had been saying. Trying to understand and attentive to Naraku's ramblings was as hard as taking notes in history…and Naraku was a murderer! You'd think that would keep my attention. Inuyasha was growing frustrated. All this waiting around, talking and stuff…he just wanted to punch or slice something. And now, Naraku was talking to his mom. What next?
No matter how amusing, it was not his mother Naraku was speaking to.
"Yes, have you arrived?" Naraku's eyes widened. "You don't say? The news is here? How exciting. No, no, do not mind them. Come right in. Yes, we are all happily awaiting your arrival." He hung up and elegantly slid his phone back in his inside suit pocket. He sighed, "Ah, there. Good help is hard to find but when you find it…" He clapped his hands. "It is marvelous."
Inuyasha was sick of this. "What the hell did you just do? Order pizza?"
Naraku was checking his wrist watch, "Rudeness lasts throughout the ages apparently." He clicked his tongue, "Let's see…three…two…one…"
The roof rumbled. The boards splintered and the ceiling clanked and bent as if an elephant had just been dropped on it. There was a sudden whooshing, whip-whip-whip, of air and before anyone could do or say a thing…
Glass shattered and flew as daggers across the room, and people (or demons, who could tell, things were in chaos) swung on ropes through the broken windows. There was a flashing light blinding them, rotating away, robbing their eyesight again. A megaphone sparked and shrieked, "This is the police. Put your hands in the air and walk out slowly. There will be no need for any force if you please just cooperate." The voice was coming from a helicopter. As it flew across the length of the house, out of sight from the windows, another one took its place.
Naraku, hair flying madly, lifted up his arms in presentation, "As you can see, my friends, this is the blessing of money and power. You gain friends in high places!"
His laughter was drowned by the machines' thunderous rotors.
"What is going on?" Ron shouted, squinting his eyes to see. "Why would the police be here? I thought Sesshomaru was some government, special unit, FBI boss or something!"
Miroku answered, having to shout as well to be heard over the raucous of the helicopters and megaphone, "He is! I don't know why they're here! But they're going to make things difficult!"
"You're telling me," Yukio snapped. "How will anyone hear you? We're going on air in one minute!"
Ron groaned, "Just…roll it, it doesn't matter, I'll scream my lungs out if I have to!"
Miroku pulled back his flapping hair, looking to the sky. He spoke normally, only meant for himself. No one noticed. "There are no words on the helicopters." They're just plain black. There's no POLICE insignia on them at all. Isn't that mandatory or something? He looked around. There's no cop cars. He was feeling unsettled; no relief like there should have been when outside forces come to help. That only meant one thing…
'They're not real cops."
No one else was buying it either.
"They're working for you. They aren't real." Inuyasha yelled, dusting of the glass shards sticking to him.
Naraku slapped his knees, "Cleverness again! It is hard to grow used to. But yes, they are working for me. And yes, they do not really work for the law. But no one else knows that so don't ruin the surprise." He put a finger to his lips and shushed.
"Just showing off to the cameras, ain't ya?" Williams scolded, shaking his head.
Naraku shrugged, "Perhaps." He wiped an eye, chuckling again. "Okay, okay, enough fun. I have to get on with it. So…allow me." With a snap of his fingers, the men and demons in black attacked, swords being unsheathed. In a matter of seconds, everyone got their gun back and was in battle. Naraku shouted over the scuffle, "I hope you like the swords, Lord Sesshomaru, Inuyasha! I bought them custom-made and had everybody trained to handle them just for you! Don't you feel special?"
O'Hara and Kagura shot their weapons and hit their spar partners right off the bat. They fell in heaps. Arena and Williams were missing, not the best of shots but they had also been taken by surprise by the blades. Williams ran out of bullets, ducked a swinging arc, did a kick right in the balls, and that was the end of his match. The man in black rolled around on the ground. "James!" Kagura threw him her gun. He grabbed it, turned and caught Arena's guy right in the back before he could cut off her head.
"Hey, thanks!" Arena smiled.
"No problem, hon!"
But this was no time for lovey-dovey or thanks. More streamed into the windows and headed for them, ready for blood.
Sesshomaru had his gun easily kicked out of his hand but it was no matter. He preferred hand-to-hand combat anyway. In three blows, the wolf demon was out for the count. Inuyasha did his in five.
"I'll take care of the rest. You go get the boy." Sesshomaru commanded as he got into another spat, this time with a normal human. It didn't last long.
Inuyasha chose not to argue. Kohaku was in the middle of this mess. "Fine. Gotcha." He ran, scooped up the kid who was starting to rouse, and ran over to the pink bubble. He pounded on the shimmering wall without thinking, being rewarded with a warm tingling then a zap. "Kagome! I don't know what the hell this is but can you get rid of it? I'm going to get you out of here!"
Kagome put her hands up against the wall. Her eyes momentarily went white and then, just like that, the bubble dissolved. "Inuyasha!" She hugged his neck. Kohaku groaned. "Oh, I'm sorry! Is he okay? Are you okay?"
"Kohaku!" Sango pulled him out of Inuyasha's arms, hugging him and kissing his cheeks, brushing back his hair. "Kohaku, it's me. It's your big sister. Come on, Kohaku, please say something!"
The boy's eyes opened a fraction. "S-Sango?" He slurred.
"Y-Yes! Yes, it's me. You're alright now. I got you."
Inuyasha picked up Shippo and Rin, "Come on, we've got to go! Kagome, get on my back…"
"Nuh-uh-uh, you can't leave now." One of the goons wrapped an arm around Inuyasha's neck, getting him into a head lock. Shippo and Rin were dropped to the floor as Inuyasha struggled. Another lackey took Kohaku and grabbed Sango. Kagome suffered the same.
Shippo and Rin ducked their captors. The kitsune bit one on the hand when they made a snatch at his tail. "Run, Rin!" They headed for the door but Naraku stepped in the way.
"Now, now, don't be rude children. It isn't polite to run indoors. I'm afraid you will have to be punished." He grinned.
Shippo took Rin's hand, spun around and sprinted for the windows. "Shippo, what are you doing?"
"We're going to jump!"
"WHAT!"
He pulled her onto the ledge. Tears filled her eyes and she trembled, "P-please, Shippo-Kun, no." She looked down at the ground. Shippo was looking over to the bad men running over to them.
"Trust me, Rin. It's the only way. I'll keep you safe."
The little girl shook her head again and again, moaning, "No. Let me go. I don't wanna jump!"
He shook her, nipping her shoulders with his claws. "Trust me, Rin! I promise…I'll keep you safe."
"We're going to get you!"
"I'll make you pay for that bite, brat!"
Rin stared into the kit's determined eyes, glanced to the ground, over to Sesshomaru who was too busy with another three guys. She gulped but nodded. Shippo hugged her, "Hold on tight!" As they flew through the air, Rin stuck her tongue out at the bad men before she screamed.
The cold night air cut Shippo's sensitive ears and Rin's little arms was asphyxiating him. But he had enough voice to follow his instincts and cry, "TRANSFORM!"
POP!
Rin gasped in a sweet smelling smoke, her stomach bounced, the fall to her death wasn't going so fast anymore, and she was lying on something soft and gushy. She flipped onto her stomach, flopping around like she was on some water bed, and gaped at the slowly approaching ground. At first glance, she thought she was lying atop some gigantic gum bubble. It was pink. But it's not sticky. She dazedly thought.
The bubble thing bounced lightly on the grass and…it must have popped. Rin was suddenly inhaling that smoke again and she grunted, landing on the lawn. Shippo appeared out of the blue smoke and fell on top of her. "Oof!"
A helicopter's strobe light locked onto them, temporarily blinding their vision. Unseeing, the children panicked, fumbled to their feet, managed to grab hands and ran.
They screamed when guns started popping and dirt sprang up around them. "They're shooting at us!" Rin cried.
"Run faster!"
Sobbing and panting, they ran and ran and ran. The grass turned into pavement and hurtful rocks but they kept on running until they hit into what felt like a truck and were suddenly lifted into the air. They struggled, they screamed, the truck spoke, "Rin? Shippo! Calm down. It's me!"
"M-Miroku?" The teen smiled. He looked behind them, up at the helicopters.
"They were trying to kill you. They aren't cops!"
Shippo and Rin nodded…and nodded…and embraced the older boy…and cried. Miroku held them, hurrying over to Ron. Fear constricted his lungs.
They were willing to kill the kids. Shoot them even though the news is here.
What else are they capable of? What else will they do?
Inuyasha elbowed the man in the gut but his grip didn't stay slack long enough for the hanyou to escape. The minion kneed Inuyasha in the back, cracking his spine, and there wasn't much struggles after that. Inuyasha slumped, muscles groaning. The goon was some kind of rock demon; that was one strong knee.
Naraku lowered to his haunches in front of Inuyasha and gently slid his fingers under his chin. With a harsh jerk he lifted the half breed's head, to meet him square in the eye. "No matter what I did, what trick or scheme I pulled. You never died. But now…here is my chance. No memories, no Tetsusaiga, no Blades of Blood or any other silly skill of yours. You're a teenager…in high school. You hang out at the mall instead of fighting demons to gather jewel shards. You go to school dances instead of trying to find me, to avenge Kikyou's death, to save Kohaku, or to rid of that monk's wind tunnel. No, now, you're a measly high schooler.
"But though you do not remember…I do. And your death will still free me of this torture. Your spilt blood will satisfy me." He leaned in, whispered. Inuyasha felt nauseated by his rancid breath, wine and saliva lacing the scent. "I will kill you, Inuyasha. And I will like it."
Inuyasha yanked his face away. His blood roiled with rage. "Go to hell, you crazy son of a—"
Naraku punched him in the jaw, silencing his words. "It is time. I will finally finish this now!" The rocky minion dragged Inuyasha across the floor and pinned him, his large burly hands cutting off the circulation in Inuyasha's forearms. The fight in him was rekindled and Inuyasha bucked and wriggled, gnashing his teeth. Another minion slammed his heel into the hanyou's gut and held down his legs.
Naraku stood above him, shadowing the moon, his greasy hair sticking up at different angles; his outline glowed with pale blue light. Inuyasha could not see his face, save for two rows of gleaming teeth and his eyes…sparking red…sparking fire…
He took out the knife. The jewels swirled like encased blood. He held it high in both hands. The helicopters' strobe lights passed over them again and again, pacing lions, pacing angels of death.
"I am merely human in this life, dear Inuyasha. No tentacles to pierce your stomach. This will have to do. I hope it hurts." The maniac was back. The eyes were too wide, too shaky. "Please give my best regards to your parents!" His hands jabbed down, cutting air, gravity aiding its journey, nearing, closing in on the exposed abdomen of a confused and innocent hanyou teen.
"NO! INUYASHA!"
Bang.
The blade blew sparks and rotated twice before it fell, landed, and skidded across the floor. Naraku howled. His hand bled…there was a steaming hole in the middle of his palm. He whirled and spat, "Kagura! You—"
Bang. Bang.
He jolted and twisted, muscle flying from his left shoulder, blood spurting from his thigh. He collapsed and tried to slow the bleeding. It leaked through the hole in his hand, a river flowing through a tunnel. The lackeys holding Inuyasha down knew when it was time to disobey orders. They let go and tried to escape. Two more shots and they were gone.
Inuyasha scrambled to his hands and knees, kicked up and got out of there. Kagome met him, holding him, tugging him to a standing position, to the door, crying all the way. Sesshomaru and O'Hara had been fighting, but now Naraku's goons were slowing, dazed, undecided. Their master was doomed to die…should they keep fighting?
Nah. One actually saluted before they headed out the windows or down the stairs. Sesshomaru shook his head. They are like Kagura. No need to follow. Let them be.
Arena was tending over Williams, he had been cut pretty badly on his shoulder. Their spar partners were dead. Sango, cradling Kohaku, Inuyasha, being pulled by Kagome, joined them.
No one noticed the little albino girl cowering in the corner.
They watched as Kagura stalked the fallen psycho man.
"Now Kagura…that was a low thing to do." His eyes crossed a bit as he stared down the barrel of her gun. "I have been nothing but a father to…"
"SHUT UP!" Kagura shook, the tears escaped. "You murdered my father! And I have never been able to make you pay. But I will now. Oh I will now. I will kill you for destroying my life….f-for…destroying my heart! Everyone I have ever loved…taken from me." The brief moment of weakness and pain passed. Anger took form. And anger could do a lot of things without remorse or hesitation. Naraku felt a drought of numbing fear. "Taken from me…by you. I will make you pay for what you have done! To me…t-to Sesshomaru…to everyone! DIE!"
Naraku closed his eyes.
Kagura pulled the trigger.
An empty…click…was all that came.
She was out of bullets.
She pulled the trigger again. Click. Again. Click. Click, click, click! Empty slots, empty threats…empty void. Kagura trembled, the useless weapon trembled.
Naraku laughed. "As always, my sweet. You are useless! You were useless to your father, to your mother."
"Shut up." She whimpered.
"You were useless to your darling Sesshomaru."
"I said shut up."
"And you were useless to me. Face it, sweet heart! You are a failure at everything you do. Even in killing me!" He laughed. He laughed. He laughed.
She attacked. "I SAID SHUT UP!" In a flurry of speed, she jumped him, punched him, ripped at his expensive clothing, kicked at his wounds, screaming, and yelling and crying. "SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"
"Kagura."
"Shut up!"
"Kagura, stop." Arms cupped her wrists, warmth embraced her, she was pulled off the broken man and she was turned, she was held as she cried. "Stop." Naraku lied unconscious. Sesshomaru stared at him indifferently as Kagura's tears soaked his shirt.
"I'm sorry…ch-chief…I'm so sorry."
He placed a hand on her head, softly held her hair. "You are forgiven." Simple words, simple healing; Kagura's weeping slowed, stopped, and she pulled away. Her eyes were that of a child, knowing they'd done wrong, questioning if they were worthy for forgiveness. He said it again. "You are forgiven."
She sniffed and wiped her eyes, a blush darkening her cheeks.
"Is he dead?" James asked.
Chief sniffed. "No. We will take him back to headquarters. Go through what we must do. He will get what he deserves."
"The 'police' are gone." Arena muttered.
Inuyasha managed to chuckle, "What good help."
Kagome hugged the hanyou and sighed, "Is it over?"
Sesshomaru nodded, "Yes, I believe it is. Come. Let us go."
Everyone stood. Everyone turned. They made it to the door. But there was scuffling, there was coughing that drew their attention. There was a cry, "Look out!" Kanna covered her eyes. They all looked back.
Naraku was standing. He was a mess of hanging flesh, flowing red, and crazy eyes. He was pulling something out of his coat pocket. It was a tiny pistol.
"You got to be kidding! How much stuff do you keep in there?" Inuyasha cried.
Naraku heaved a breath and chuckled. The chuckling never ceased. It was on going, throaty, hissing, dying. He lifted the pistol, took aim, "You…will die…Inuyasha."
Bang.
The bullet pierced space. Fabric and footsteps were slow in making sound. Inuyasha couldn't see; someone was standing in his way. There was a scream, a disturbing crunch, cracking of wood, a shout…
"O'HARA!"
Amador Bronte O'Hara was running towards Naraku, he could not feel the foreign piece of metal lodged in his chest cavity, his mind was so clear; there was no more distant memories so full of longing. He charged into Naraku, locked his arms around the man's waist, kept running, felt Naraku's body hit the ledge, rolled over head first, met air, met free fall…
He was flying.
His arms lost strength. He let go of Naraku. His body spun. He was looking up at the sky. Such pretty stars…such a full, full moon…
He remembered at the beach…looking up at that same moon…cradled between his mommy and daddy…
He landed.
But there was no feeling of pain.
There were screams.
A.N: The ending felt fast and cut off to me. I don't know how to fix it. Gomen! Hope you liked it. :pause:sniff:
O'HARA!