DISCLAIMER: It is with deep regret that I don't own Inuyasha. If I had then I'd have tons of money...plus Sesshoumaru! LOL!

A.N.: Sorry for the long gap. Things were turbulent in my life right now and that is when I need to write.

INU NO WAKUSEI

CHAPTER 12

TERRA

Rough Beginning [1]

Previously on CHAMPIONS [Terra]

"All right…" Hiddleston's hand slashed the air as if clearing it. "So it's not those things. So, what does he want you to do?" Both men's eyes focused on her.

Kagome sighed to ease the heavy pressure from her chest. "He…he's gonna marry me to someone else."

"What?!" Roth scrunched up his face. He straightened and blinked. "They still do that?" he asked Miroku.

The professor nodded matter-of-factly. "Sango's anesthesia doesn't lie."

"Wait. Wait. Back up." Roth waved a hand. "Tell me again, did I hear you say bodyguards?" Roth leaned. "Who's your father anyway?"

Kagome looked at both of them her as if they were like a force coming at her. Instinctively she braced her hands against the table as if to ward them off, her mind a blank. "Uh…what? What's that?"

"What kind of parent would think of marrying off their kid? I tell you. That only happened in the ancient times. But now we know people still do that? Well, I never…." The bond man only calmed down after taking a big gulp of sweet black coffee.

"Hey," Miroku patted her hand, seeing her obvious tension. "it's okay if you don't want to tell us for now. No pressure." Then he turned to the blonde man. "Uh… Roth, I don't have a lot of time. We need to get that copied."

"Gotcha. Let's go." Hiddleston slid a hundred dollar in what was a mere twenty-five dollar breakfast bill in the folder.

"Let's go." Kagome's hand was grasped by Miroku and she was hustled out of her chair. The professor grabbed her bag in passing and hand in hand they trotted with Hiddleston out of the door whereupon a white Bentley swerved to a stop and they were ushered by Hiddleston inside.

The face behind dark opaque glasses smiled evilly. "Ah! There you are, bitch," he purred. "Found 'ya."

For days he had been cruising the streets looking for that damned kid and his frustration was mounting from his lack of progress. His boss had been calling him almost nonstop and knowing their client he could almost feel that cold touch of his boss's or Senator Higurashi's gun barrel in the back of his head. If not for his vicious track record he'd have been double tapped and dumped on some lonely field somewhere. "Hah! I ain't gonna die for some stupid kid."

After making sure he got what he needed from his devices he quickly revved his motorbike and followed at a moderately sedate pace.

Miroku gave her a smile as he slammed the door from his side. "Comfy?"

She nodded absentmindedly as the luxury car rolled off the corner and into the morning traffic. "Nice car." She whispered.

"By the way, Kanna," Roth turned around. "Where can we drop you off?"

"Oh…ah…" Kagome blinked.

Miroku blinked, gasped and did a face palm, "Oh my god! I am sorry." Miroku was looking at her, hand over his mouth. "I was so stupid. We dragged you with us!"

"Oh! That." Kagome laughed.

"He is right. How careless of us," Roth looked remorseful. "I apologize."

"I…uh…I actually don't have anywhere to go right now."

"Oh. Is that so?" Miroku said.

"Are you sure?" Roth followed.

"Uh..yes?"

"Awesome!" the professor gushed.

"That's settled, then." The blond man nodded and patted Kagome's hand with a smile. "Miroku, ask your contact person to find a map…"

It was after a few seconds of being forgotten by the two that Kagome was able to relax enough to lean back, breathe deep and to take in the luxurious interior of the car. Obviously this Hiddleston HAS money she thought as she run her hand over the soft leather seat.

Kagome leaned back with a sigh-exhausted; she feels tired from all the ducking here and there because that damned front page news about her missing made her panic. She left in haste only to realize when she arrived in the ryokan that she forgot her duffel bag in the clinic! How stupid! Her money! It's all there! How could she have forgotten something as important as that! Kagome, you stupid idiot! Thank goodness she had paid six months in advance and hopefully before that time expires she would have found a job by then.

It's strange but she also feels safe with these two men who she barely knew and it felt good. The only time she got this feeling was at Dr. Sango's clinic. She wanted to stay there, to that small clinic.

She liked the vet-she has that no nonsense air about her; like an older sister. It was a shame that she had to ditch her plan of asking the nice lady doctor for a job. Goodness knows she needed it.

But everything seemed to be like a mad roller coaster ride after that; as soon as she found new jobs she would spot one of those men after a few weeks and she had to leave immediately. Once she did not even get her wages. So the cycle would begin again. She should never have maxed out her credit cards! Another stupid decision! Ugh Kagome!

Kagome glanced at Prof. Miroku who is deep in discussion with Roth Hiddleston about a file—a file about her father. Her hands got cold again. She was trying to leave that life behind but why does it keep on reeling her back? Why?

"Uh, where….," after a few minutes of silence she croaked out. "Where are we going?"

"To my place. We have a meeting there."

Thank god. Kagome was relieved to know that they were not going anywhere near her father. "Uh…we?"

"Yes," Miroku spoke beside her. "We have to copy the files I gave to Roth. It's on a limited loan."

"Uh…what do you do?" Kagome checked her bag and things and was glad none of her essential items were gone or left behind; she couldn't afford to lose anything anymore.

"Oh, you don't know, do you?" the dark-haired man smiled. "I'm in astro-archeology."

"Astro…what?" she blinked back the mist in her eyes.

Miroku smiled, eyes quickly averted. "Well, you see it's a study about the connection between archeology and astrology..."

"Ah."

"Goodness, you'll bore her to death with all that talk, Miroku." Hiddleston turned to the two in the back with a smirk. "Don't get him started." He warned her in a theatrical whisper.

"Uh, no. No, I'm not." Kagome cleared her throat. "I mean, archeology was my major in university," she shrugged. "But uh…I…I didn't graduate." She looked down sadly with a shrug.

"Really?" Roth and Miroku exchanged looks. "How many more years to go?" inquired the professor.

"Huh?" Kagome frowned. "Uh….I'm in my last year."

"Fantastic!" Hiddleston gushed with a big smile to Miroku making Kagome frown.

"Why is it fantas…"

"Sir!" the driver looked up at the rear view mirror, his face serious. "We are being followed."

The hunter gritted his teeth when the Bentley went faster. Seems like their bodyguard is a good defensive driver, the hunter smirked. Well, he's better. "You're not gonna escape me, bitch. Not this time!"

"We are what?" Kagome gasped, she nervously swung around, "Who?"

"I wouldn't worry," from the front seat Hiddleston glanced behind him unconcerned. "Jim here is as good as they come. He'll lose the tail, won't you Jim?" Hiddleston smiled in satisfaction when the driver made a sharp turn towards a tunnel.

Kagome looked back but her breath caught in her throat; there's something familiar with the rider. She faced forward sharply, 'No way…' she whispered.

"Did you say something, Kanna?" Miroku asked, brows up.

Kagome shook her head, she couldn't say anything. Her heart was beating fast and her hands were as cold as ice.

"We are not losing him." Miroku tensely said in a sing song voice, between clenched tight jaw.

"Bugger," Hiddleston cursed. "Plan 2, Jim?" The diver nodded and made a screeching U-turn in the next intersection.

Kagome could smell the expensive leather seat as she kept a tight grip at it as all of them swayed left and right as the driver zig zagged their way through some alley ways. She hunkered a little lower over the back seat and saw the motorbike right behind them, getting closer by the minute.

Her throat dried up. It's him. Damn it. It's him!

'Hah! Trying to evade me, eh?' the hit man revved the bike which growled like a tiger. "Not gonna happen today." The bike jumped over a traffic hedge as other cars blare their horn at him. He is now doing 100 miles per hour and the distance is closing in while the driver of the Bentley is doing maneuvers that impressed the hunter. Nothing could beat his bike but the Bentley Mulsanne is pushing its speed to almost its limit. The hunter went faster intending to catch up with them, loop around and from there he'll improvise.

Now Hiddleston is worried. "There is an alley in the next three blocks Jim, go there." Roth directed, pointing. He suspected it may be one of the senator's men trying to stop them from getting their own copy.

The driver nodded in reply still cool about it but inside the chauffeur is worried; that bike is fast. Damn it!

"Miroku," Roth turned to the professor. "Does anyone know you took the file?"

"No," the violet-eyed man shook his head. He looked back at the dark figure following them, sweat dotting his forehead. "I'm sure."

"Sir! Gun!"

"Lose him! Lose him!" Miroku grabbed the safety belt as the driver stepped on the gas. "Hold on, Kanna!"

"Get down!" Roth yelled.

Kagome almost lost her grasp of the back of Hiddleston's seat just as a shadow eclipsed the light on her side of the door then suddenly she felt like floating from her seat and then she was slammed back with a gasp and a strong force pushed her back hard against the door.

-[000]-