AUTHOR'S NOTES:

A. Inuyasha and its original characters were the creation of Rumiko Takahashi. I do not claim them as mine.

B. The characters and names Maksim Danilov, Ivan Danilov, Kevin Spencer, Alynna, Richard Higurashi, Masahiro, Mako, Yori, Haru, Sune-ku, Allen and Ryotaro were my original creations. Please do not copy their characters!

C. Parallel story linking the Feudal Era and the Modern Time until Kagome's disappearance and return from the well.

CORRECTION: Allen Harris is a Corporal (Cpl.) not a Colonel (Col.). My bad.

CHAPTER 27 A

MODERN TIME

"I thought I ended your life, neko." Maksim blocked a punch, a slash and a head and stomach kick in swift movements. "What a disappointment."

"Nine lives, remember?" Francesco turned and dodged an upper cut, a series of punches but a few landed on him, he scraped his back on the jagged edge of the window.

"I believe we have reduced it to but a few. I'd be careful if I were you." Maksim grabbed Francesco on his lapels and leaned him further on the glass.

"Hm, I still have quite a few tricks up my sleeves, my friend." Francesco pushed Maksim off of him but the other man didn't let go.

"What do you want this time? Another kingdom?" Maksim twisted the blonde and pulled back his hand in a half nelson. Both men grunted from their struggle. They fell and the blonde escaped from Maksim's death grip.

"That would be easy to obtain, my friend" Francesco grinned at Maksim as he evaded a slash on his face. "I'm thinking someone close to your heart." Francesco's laugh stopped short when Sesshoumaru caught him just bellow his ribs and his leg.

"You have to work harder on doing that because I intend to stop you no matter what." Maksim threw Francesco over his head and followed with a stomach kick, the man landed outside the veranda. He followed him there and continued punching and blocking each other.

Kagome was trying to lie still while crouching on the floor. She suspected that it was Maksim who overturned the bed to protect her from the fight. She was trying hard not to make a sound even if the noise from the fight was loud enough to bring the whole world in. She couldn't even make herself move because she was trembling very badly. If they would tremble more Kagome was sure her bones would sound like maracas' clicking. Nope, that wasn't even funny. What she wanted to do was run screaming her head off but that would be such a bad idea too; she wants to keep her head. Only her eyes do not seem to be paralyzed and immune to the fear affecting all her limbs.

Never in her life had she seen such strength and quick reflexes. Both make it seem that stone and mortar were like chalk and wood was like paper in their hands. Every graceful move of the body, the hands, the placing of their feet was amazing to watch, something that was lacking in a lot of fighters, human fighters, that is. They were even going against the established laws of Physics. She shook her head in wonder at Maksim's fighting style. It couldn't be possible for him to know so many techniques and use them so seamlessly and in perfect execution together. She counted more than 10 to 15 techniques and discipline, she couldn't help but shake her head. It just was not possible.

But more impossible was that the two people fighting in front of her could not be called 'people' in the normal sense of the word. This was must what Alice had felt when she fell into that hole. Maksim and Francesco look like animals with stripes on their faces and hands, she could even glimpse some kind of tattoo on their foreheads…they look even different as she looked on…younger…

Kagome gulped when the two seemed to be edging nearer her spot. The upturned bed and mattress protected her from flying projectiles and their attention so hopefully they wouldn't notice she was in it.

She turned her head towards the door. Her eyes calculated the escape distance. It might be possible to slip out while they were occupied…

Maksim must have some ESP, for some reason he knew what she was planning. Their eyes met and with a roundhouse he kicked the piano. It slid with a screech and it effectively blocked her escape with enough time to evade the claw intent on slicing his head off. Even while he was fighting he was totally aware of her. Kagome almost growled her frustration but refrained. She might attract the attention of the wrong kind. Between the two devils she'd rather go with the devil she knows than the devil she doesn't know.

Both men vanished from her sight when they fell off from the veranda. Wide eyed, Kagome gasped under her hands. What happened? Are they dead? Is Maksim dead? She didn't want to move. After long minutes of waiting and not knowing what was happening she began to inch out of the crawl space, her eyes were moving back forth along the veranda. She was hoping that the person who climbs up from that it is…

Before Kagome could close her jaw and think how cool he was that he 'flew' up instead of 'climbing', the bed and the mattress were flying off and Maksim's still feral face was inches from her own. Without a word he carried her and jumped out from the veranda four floors down. Kagome felt she left her heart somewhere up the room when Maksim jumped. He hit the ground running at a speed that only a cheetah could do or that vampire guy from a movie that she saw with her girlfriend a year ago. Kagome stole a look at Maksim's face but he wasn't sparkly or anything. She didn't know if she'd be disappointed or relieved.

"What?" his rough snarl startled her and it broke the paralysis.

"Let me go!" Kagome began to struggle, a dangerous idea while traveling at 70 miles an hour. They had emerged from a storm drain somewhere in the trees.

"Stop struggling!" For now it would seem they have lost their pursuers but that won't be long if this blasted female doesn't stop her infernal racket! "Be quiet!" he hissed.

"Get away from me!" She was pushing off from him and the damn woman could break her neck. He turned her around and slung her over his shoulder. Kagome's breath escaped with an 'Oof!'

"Stop that!" He snarled. He hurried to the SUV but Kagome just wouldn't stop struggling. Maksim almost dumped her on the ground. Kagome shrieked in surprise when Maksim slapped her rear. He brought her down and pushed her against the vehicle. "Listen to me! Just let me take you somewhere safe."

"Safe?" she gasped and shoved her hair off her face. "Where is safe?" Kagome blurted. "And…and…did you just butt slap me?" Her eyes were indignant pools.

"You deserved it." Maksim cornered her with both arms and looked at her intently, their bodies close. Sooo very close for comfort.

"Where's that…?" Kagome began but Maksim held up his hand. "Look, we are not yet safe. Francesco and his men are still looking for us…for you." He saw the fear flash in her eyes.

"Is he dead?" she asked hopefully. He shook his head.

"He escaped." he shook his head. "There will be time to explain later. For now get it in your head that the longer we linger here the more you won't get your explanation, okay?" Maksim was glad when that stubborn headed look in her eyes vanished and she nodded. "Get in." he swung the door open but his arm slammed back to hold her in. "Don't…even…think…about…it." he glared at her.

"What?" but Maksim wasn't fooled by that wide-eyed look.

"Try to escape and you'll be in worse mess than you're in now, clear?"

"Crystal." Kagome drawled then looked pointedly at his arm blocking her way. After a few seconds of glaring at each other Maksim released the door and waited until she got in and buckled up. He didn't take his eyes away from her when he closed the door, even when he walked to the driver's side from the front and got in.

"What?" she asked again. "Don't you trust me?"

"I don't.' Maksim looked at her as he gunned the vehicle and tore out of the forest.

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"Clear!" Hart kicked the piano away from the door and the poor instrument bounced off the other side of the room spilling its ivories like broken teeth. The entire team almost flew inside the darkened room, the light from their rifles the only illumination like white pillars. "Check every space!" he ordered even as he himself went to the left and everyone spread out.

It was already evening when their team successfully made the bad guys retreat. They have collected the wounded enemies and the rest fell back with Orochi. Spencer's team sustained some casualty but apart from the fatality of Cpl. Allen Harris, their team was in good shape.

"Kyoufou," Ivan blocked Spencer's path to the door. "He is my brother? I have a brother? Since when?"

Spencer sighed. "Yes, he's your brother. The evil one."

"Evil?" Ivan's eyes were as big as an owl's. "Why? What did he do?"

"He…" Spencer hesitated and looked long at Ivan with pain in his eyes, pain for him, Ivan realized. The boy felt a thump in his chest. "Yes, he did." Spencer nodded when Ivan's eyes widened in incredulity and mouthed 'No.' The big man laid a comforting hand on Ivan's shoulder.

Ivan looked at his godfather with a hard expression. "Why wasn't I told about this all these years?" Spencer could feel the boy shaking.

"Ivan listen to me" Spencer now stepped in front of his godson. "You were young and your mother made us swear to protect you and that include keeping that secret from you."

"She knew about this? She knew what happened?" Ivan was taken aback.

The big man nodded. "Of course, among other things. Forgive us for what we did, son. She didn't wanna tell you because she doesn't want you to grow up getting twisted by hate and vengeance."

"What's his name?" Ivan demanded. "My brother…" Ivan spat. "what's his name?"

"His name's Ryuu-Orochi…"

"Big snake, huh?" Ivan snorted.

"Ivan listen to me, son. Don't do anything stupid. Let us handle this…"

"I am youkai, it's a part of my heritage…." Spencer's negative shake of head and staying hand cut Ivan's words.

"No! For God's sake boy!" Spencer wailed. "Do you want Max and I to get in trouble with your mom?" Spencer made a facepalm. "Sheesh son, you know her anger its…" Spencer lifted his hands in the air. "its cataclysmic!" Ivan looked at him and smiled that lopsided smile of his.

"Yeah, I remember." Ivan looked at Red and Jeff at the other side of the room and they shared a laugh at a memory of two wolf youkai getting blasted to bits. "She's sooo protective."

"Well, you know mothers." the big man sighed. "But its not only because of the danger involved its because she's human, son. We will all outlive her, she just wants to make sure you will be in good hands when she…" Spencer couldn't say the words. "You know what I mean." He pursed his lips. Ivan nodded solemnly.

Spencer walked away allowing Ivan to chew over what he said. "Hot damn, this place's a mess!"

"My lord…" Spencer turned at Hart's approach, the latter's long red queue swinging, his hazel eyes burning in frustration. Spencer smelled the bloody bit of cloth in his hand. Kevin Spencer's blood ran cold…Oh no fucking…his hands curled tightly. Please no…not him that madman…of all youkai….

"No." Ivan shook his head and sighed with relief after sniffing the sheet carefully, his pale face getting some color. "Not mom's, thank the kami."

Spencer found himself staring at the soiled silk hanging limply from Ivan's hand. He didn't realize he released his breath explosively. "Kyoufu? Are you all right?" Ivan laid a hand on his godfather's shoulder and felt his fear. "Hey…it's not her…her…" Ivan reassured the older man and gestured wordlessly with an embarrassed shrug. Her 'maidenhead' was the unsaid word but Ivan was also supremely relieved that the blood, maidenhead or not, did not come from his mother.

"I'm glad." Spencer nodded and uncurled his fingers, white and shaking. He breathed out. "I...I think I need to sit down." And promptly sat on the ruined bed. Ivan's brows headed up north at his godfather's reaction. Damn, he's still in love with her!

Hart came back urgently. "My lords the mansion had been secured but we couldn't find any trace of the regent…but a powerful aura was here."

"That's father. I feel father's power and the stone." They followed Ivan out to the veranda and down to the grounds.

"Hm, can you smell that?" Spencer sniffed the air. "smells like ozone." They followed some burned tracks and ground torn apart about half an acre. They found no trace of Francesco but only Maksim's footsteps rushing back to the mansion. They faced the south side and felt a disturbance in the air. They nodded in understanding.

"Well, as long's the dog's been here let's hope he got Kagome safe or else…" A sudden beeping sound broke the quiet grassy area. Spencer got his phone and after tapping his password read the coded message. Spencer's frown marred the smooth claw mark on his brow. Back in the day a few had seen his claw mark when it was always covered with his favorite band. "We need to go guys." Spencer turned to Hart and Red. "Get everyone out. Team Two take the prisoners to the holding base, Level 3 security, full barrier. Team One will come with me." Red nodded from Team two. After exchanging curt nods the two teams went their own separate ways.

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A bump on the road woke her up. It was night. She was confused as she looked at the window. Outside, the scenery and the trees were flashing by so fast. They were passing a dark forest and the headlights were not even on.

"Sorry about that. Are you all right?" Kagome turned to the owner of the soft baritone voice and everything came crashing back to her.

Maksim kept his eyes glued to the road as Kagome leveled the gun on his right temple. "Where are we and where are you taking me?"

"I told you before we're going to a safe house." he answered calmly. "And we're in the USA."

"What?!" Kagome looked around. "That's impossible!" That's the time when Kagome noticed the different vehicle they were on. "When did we…"

"Change cars?" he lifted his brow. "About ten hours ago," Kagome gasped. "you were fast sleep."

"I didn't even wake up?" Kagome was aghast. "What…what are you?"

"I think you know what I am." He stole a glance at Kagome. Her gun hand was shaking a little. Frankly, he was more worried if she gets into hysterics than shooting him. He hates hysterical women.

"You're not real…" she hissed, lips curling, eyes narrowing. Kagome was wondering herself why she was more scared shit now than when Francesco was on top of her. Why being alone with Maksim, if this is what he really looks like, freaked her out more than seeing two supernatural beings battle it out.

"So how do you explain what you saw?" He was mesmerized at the film of sweat on top of her lip and under her eyes; things and details he had almost forgotten. And then his eyes took note of her torn shirt, he forced his concentration back at the road.

"Do you eat people?"

"What? No." then he paused. "But I eat meat." he smirked. "Lots of it."

She gulped and shuddered. "Do you…do you…drink blood?"

Maksim cocked his head. "Human blood?"

"Yes."

"Sometimes…" he grimaced. "but its not my taste." she almost peed when he looked at her. "I will not taste your blood. Scout's honor." he held up his fingers.

"What do you call…?" she closed her eyes, shaking her hand as she tried to find the words.

"My species, you mean?" he finished for her. Maksim was impressed that she was really taking this much better than he expected. She should be having hysterics. He was actually waiting for it but none of that happened.

"Yes." she blurted as she swiped an errant lock of hair away from her eyes. "What species are you?" she frowned. "Are you…an alien?"

Maksim had to laugh at that. "Sorry to disappoint you but no…" he shook his head in amusement. "You are familiar with 'youkai' or 'mononoke', yes?" he glanced at Kagome again.

It took her a bit to remember what the words meant. They have never used Nihongo since her family immigrated to the USA and she was too young when they did. "O-kay…but they're myth" she shook her head, now following a little of what he's saying. "so next thing you're gonna tell me was that vampires and werewolves were for real right?" Maksim let out an amused snort.

"Only werewolves….but that's not the right name for them." he smiled again.

She frowned as she looked outside. There doesn't seem to be a road on where they were and Maksim was weaving the car between trees. "How…how can you see in this darkness…" then she realized. "You can see in the dark too." he answered her statement with a nod. Kagome leaned back on the door and made a half face palm. She lowered the gun.

"Sorry to disappoint you…again."

"Huh?" she shook her head out of her thoughts. "for what?"

"I'm not sparkly." he deadpanned.

"Wha…?" she sputtered. "How did you…? Do you have ESP or something?"

"Nope," Maksim was amused to see he was right when Kagome blushed. The road got bumpy again. "Kagome grabbed the dashboard. "but it's not hard to deduct what you're thinking when I could run 70 miles per hour and have superhuman strength, right?" he finished with a shrug.

Kagome just gave him a glare. "So…which one are you?"

"Which…?" he frowned. "Which what?"

"Which, uh…animal, I mean." she closed her eyes in exasperation at herself.

"Ah…" Maksim's face registered understanding. "I'm an inu youkai, perhaps you've heard of us?"

Kagome shook her head mutely. Maksim slowed down and turned off the engine. "We're here."

"Huh?" Kagome looked around and true enough they're in front of a large house hidden by trees…in the middle of nowhere. She jumped when Maksim opened her door. "What…?" but she remembered his speed and it seemed now that the cat's out of the bag Maksim was not taking care anymore that she see his true nature.

"Welcome." Maksim opened the front door and allowed Kagome inside, carrying two heavy bags in. "Take a look around. I'll just set this up in the library." and he entered a room. Kagome could hear him opening cases.

The lieutenant stopped at the foyer turning around taking everything in. Like the main base the house looked unassuming from the outside but boasts state of the art technology. Everything from the furniture to the decoration was ultra modern done in white with splashes of color for accent. Clean and clutter free.

He left Kagome to explore and as he headed for the library. The hum of the computer was the only sound in the hermetically sealed house. After he sent a quick coded message to Spencer Maksim stretched his muscles, due to his youki and the stone his wounds had rapidly healed up many hours ago and his strength is back.

Spencer's company wouldn't be too bad right now. His friend's irritating personality, something that he had come to accept all these years, would help him forget the tempting 'guest' with him.

Right now all he needed to do was put some distance between the two of them and hoped that Spencer would come with the whole cavalry to act as a buffer.

"Nice place." Maksim caught up with the lieutenant admiring the collection of brass artwork.

"Glad you like it." he beckoned at her from the stairs. "I'm sure you'd like to shower and change into better clothes…" his hand swept up and down at her tousled appearance.

"Yeah," she blushed as she pulled Maksim's coat tighter around her demolished shirt and followed him up the transparent stairs. "that sounds like a good idea."

Maksim pushed open a door. "You can use this room…" as he turned he stopped abruptly when he bumped into Kagome, his hand shot out and grabbed her before she toppled. Kagome gasped as she grabbed the only thing near her. She could feel his strong arms and his breath was….

Then without thinking Kagome drew down Maksim's head to hers.

I must be mad, Kagome thought. I'm kissing this supernaturally gorgeous guy who turned out to be really supernatural and I find that that it's a big turn on. I'm not just mad, I'm insane…

Maksim had envisioned something kind of similar but it was nothing compared to this bliss of kissing her and having her in his arms again after years of waiting; her arms wrapped around him, his lips devouring hers….but…

"Lieutenant," Maksim murmured as he reluctantly tore his lips apart from Kagome's. "Stop." but she tightened her hold on him.

"I want you…kiss me…" but instead of kissing her back he righted her up and pushed her away,

"No…" she protested when he pulled away further. "Why?"

"I'm sorry to say this, lieutenant but I don't mix business with pleasure."

"What?" Kagome looked up at Maksim and she was slammed back to reality. Painfully.

"Sorry about this, I certainly did not do anything to encourage you, have I?" Maksim grabbed the doorknob like it was a lifeline.

She took a deep shuddering breath. "My mistake," she stood straighter and pulled the coat tighter around her. "It will not happen again." then she lifted those cold eyes on him.

Ouch. He cleared his throat. "You'll find clothes and everything you need inside the…"

"I'm sure I can manage, thank you." Kagome swiftly and curtly returned. She slid angry eyes at Maksim when he didn't move. "Was there something else? I'm sure you're not interested to see me bathe, isn't that right? I wouldn't want to 'encourage' you." her tone was devoid of anger but laden with sarcasm and ice, lots of it.

"I'll be downstairs if you need me…."

"I'm sure I won't, but thank you." Maksim hated her rigidness and curt answers but it had to be done. It took everything in him to walk out of the room, his feet felt like lead as he put them one in front of the other down the stairs.

Mission accomplished. Maksim sighed.

His beast rumbled in his head. "Great job, Sesshoumaru. Give yourself a kick in the head."

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