Chapter 2: The Plan
The bell I've been waiting for all day finally rang. I ventured towards Lady Kaede's class. I was excited to start and be put to work with any project she provided me. Lady Kaede is like a grandmother to me. Very sweet, caring and protective. Being the first to arrive at her class, I ran and gave her a hug. I was happy and sad that this will be my last year with her. "Young Rin, it's good to see you again. How are you my child?"
"I'm doing great! I'm eager to start class and be put to work." She knows how great I am at this.
"I see. I have a feeling you know a case you want to be put on?" She knew me all too well.
"Yes, if you have one on the grave robbing case would be great." I have a feeling she would have it.
"Indeed child, I do. I was planning on giving you that particular case with an eighth grader who's joining this year."
"By chance is the girl named Shiori?" I had to ask.
"Yes, my dear. It is! I guess you've met her already?" She raised an eyebrow my way.
"I did, just on Friday actually. Her father works along with Toga."
"That's very interesting. Oh! hello dear," Lady Kaede called towards the front door.
I turned and saw Shiori standing in the doorway. "Hey Shiori, how did your first day of school go?"
"Umm...hi Rin. It was okay," she nervously answered.
"Shiori, it's a pleasure to meet you. You can take your seat next to Rin." Looking at her, I think she was relieved to be sitting next to someone she knew.
"Thank you!" She was nervous as she came and took her seat beside me. "Rin, was your first day good?"
"It was! I have a few of the same old teachers from years prior." I'm also taking much harder classes now. But I know I'll pass with flying colors.
More students were arriving and I was surprised at how filled the classroom was. Since solving my family's murder, more and more students wanted to take part in the class every year. I think they really wanted to solve a case that really needed to be solved. We all took our seats as Lady Kaede called the class to order.
"Good afternoon class. I am your teacher, Lady Kaede. Welcome to a new year at Shikon Academy. I'm very happy to see some old faces and new ones. This year will be no different than the last few since I started this class three years ago.
"As you know Rin here," she gestured for me to stand up. "She has solved a crime that was committed by the vial act of her own family who now serves a life sentence. She had shown true strength and courage by collecting her own evidence throughout the years she lived with them. Rin," she gestured her hand again for me to speak.
"Yes, at a young age I knew I wanted to be a criminal investigator. To help prove my theory without my family knowing, I would go to the library and do research. I would print out newspaper clippings, hide them and stick them in an album with pictures of my late family. I've always known my incarcerated family had committed these murders from hearing them talk late at night when they thought I was asleep. That was around the time my uncle's miasma was no longer taking its full effect on me.
"When I was fifteen I came to this school because they were offering this type of class for students. But I was also happy that I would be away from my family for several months. They didn't know I was taking this class.
"One afternoon, Lady Kaede and I talked about this...well I should say she talked while I wrote since I was afraid to use my voice. She knew deep down that I knew who killed my family and many others that night. She encouraged me to come out and tell Sesshomaru who I really was. But I was afraid. I was afraid he would be mad with me for not coming out around that time.
"Sesshomaru and his father Toga believed me when I told them that night I finally used my voice. That was a month after I came to this school. It was around that first time I was kidnapped by my family. I was taken deep into the woods not far from here where they tried to kill me. But their plan backfired when Sesshomaru and Toga showed up. My uncle had the nerve to say he, his daughter and his nephew found me tied up and passed out. It was a lie. Sesshomaru and Toga knew deep down that they were lying.
"When I was safe and back here on campus, I told them what really happened. My soul was sucked out of my body, they planned to murder me and leave me there to die. After that night, I was placed in the care of Toga and Izayoi. Well...actually I should say I was going to be placed in Lady Kaede's care first. But that night...that night I felt freedom being in their care. I felt at home for a few months until….
"Until a few things happened. I was marked assaulted by a coyote demon who's serving, or I should say several years in an adult detention center. Then a day or so later after leaving the hospital, I was kidnapped and held captive for three days by my family who was planning my murder again by drowning me in the Mount Hakurei River.
"At the river that night, my uncle…confessed right there when Sesshomaru, Inu no Taisho and his back-up crew showed up to save me. He told them I deserved to die right there from solving their heinous crime.
"A few things happened that night that are still a bit fuzzy after I was thrown into the river. The only thing I remember after that happened was waking up in the hospital.
"Now that my family is locked away, I'm safe from being harmed by them. I was told by many of the victims' families that I was their hero. I don't feel like one. I did what I thought was best and solved a case that needed to be put to rest. Now that it's a new year, I'm eager to start on a new case." I'm getting so used to speaking a lot more about that case now. A lot of TV show hosts have asked me to come in and talk about that night.
"Thank you, Rin." Lady Kaede smiled at me. "Rin has encouraged many others to pursue a career in criminology, just like you all. She will be dearly missed when she graduates next year. Rin, I hope you continue to show great courage with your career path alongside your family."
I bowed before her, "thank you, Lady Kaede. I will after I study more and graduate university."
"Ehh, why would you go to university? Your so-called soon to be father-in-law has a job waiting for you?" A female voice called from the back of the class. "Plus, it's disgusting that you are engaged to a full-blooded demon! You should be with your own kind, you filthy dirty human!" I looked to see a silver haired pure-blooded dog demoness with piercing golden eyes and a purple crescent moon on her forehead.
"Excuse me! Miss, Koto Takagami. Rin's personal business is none of your concern. Please watch what you say. I do not tolerate bullying of such kind in my class," Lady Kaede scolded her. "Don't tell me you chose this class to offend Rin?"
"Well it's true! Humans and demons are not meant to be together. No! I wanted to take this class because I'm going to solve that grave robbing case that's occurring at this time. I'll have it solved faster than anyone here, including that filthy human girl!" she pointed her clawed finger towards me.
"Well unfortunately you will not be given that case to solve, Miss Koto. You need to mind your words and show respect to everyone, including Rin!" I've never heard her voice become this stern before. I love this side of Lady Kaede. "Now speaking of cases, it's time that I hand them out." I took my seat and ignored the heavy golden eyes of the demoness on my backside.
After class and a few hours later Shiori, along with the others, including myself, all headed over to the cafeteria to have dinner. "So how was being back in Lady Kaede's class, Rin?" Kohaku wondered.
"It went great! Though there's this one girl who was really mad that Shiori and I got a case that she wanted," I informed him.
Koharu asked, "Who's the girl Rin?"
"Koto, I think her name is. She was trying to mock me and bring me down. It won't work. She acts like the twins."
"We're always going to run into someone like them. I hope she didn't say anything to hurt your feelings, Rin?" Kohaku asked concerned.
"She said I should be with my own kind instead of a pure-blooded demon and some other words. But enough about her, let's enjoy this evening together. Hey maybe we'll all grab an ice cream after dinner and go sit up at the falls?"
"Yes, I agree. It's the first day of classes and no one deserves to be treated like crap. Screw it, let's have ice cream for dinner, haha," Kohaku shouted happily. All the students looked our way, hearing Kohaku talking very loudly.
"Kohaku, Renkotsu-sensei wouldn't be too happy if you break your eating habits. What would he think if he found out you are breaking his rules eating sweets for dinner?" Koharu scolded him as she gazed at him heavily.
"Oh! Come on Koharu. It's just for today and I plan to get a workout in the morning. You are still joining me aren't you?" He asked back.
"Haha, what's a little ice cream going to do? If you don't eat it every day I don't think he would mind," I announced. "But it would be better if we go have a proper meal. We'll save ice cream for dinner for the weekend."
"I agree with Rin, Kohaku. Dinner first then dessert," Koharu announced.
"Haha okay," he placed his arm behind Koharu's back, pulling her close to him. I wish Sesshomaru was here to do that now. I miss him so much.
Over at the county prison, a elderly lady with long silver hair, with a cloth band around her forehead entered the facility. Along with her was her oldest son, Kawaramaru. It was a day where families could visit their incarcerated relatives. After they signed in and were scanned, they were led to a large room down a long hallway, to a secured waiting room. The two took a seat at a metal table with round seats. They were hard, cold and uncomfortable. As they sat there, "remember to talk in code my son. I don't want these pathetic guards to hear us," she said to him quietly.
"You have my word, mother Urasue," Kawaramaru whispered quietly to her. He sat to the right of his elderly mother. He was a broad man with strong facial features and a muscular body. He too wore a cloth band around his forehead just like his elderly mother. His hair matched the same color as his mother's silver hair.
"Three years our family has been through hell because of that damn niece of Naraku's. She is living the high life, while he rots in this hellhole of a prison. She will pay for what she caused us and she won't know what will hit her when that time comes," Urasue whispered into her son's ear.
"That brat doesn't deserve to be called a girl. Bitch is more of a term for her. I do agree with you, in a few weeks everything will fall into plan," Kawaramaru whispered back.
As they whispered back to one another for several minutes a loud tone came above their heads. "Finally, they are allowing the inmates to come," Urasue said quickly. "Remember to talk in code." Urasue just watched her oldest son nod his head.
The tight metal doors opened and in came demon and half-demon inmates. They were cuffed to shackles along their wrist and ankles. Naraku was the fourth in-line and came to sit at the table in front of his mother and older brother. "Mother Urasue and elder brother Kawaramaru, it's been awhile," he said unpleasantly.
"My son, how are you holding out? Are you able to see Kagura yet?" Urasue asked as she placed her hand over Naraku's shackled hands.
"I'm holding out until you know...but no. They won't allow me to see her. They think we'll plan a motive to escape," Naraku said in a pissed off mood. He hasn't seen her since the court sentencing. "How's Kana? Is she finally in your care?"
Urasue squeezed Naraku's hand and explained, "Kana is holding out. She was released a few weeks ago and is now attending a private school for troubled teens. She wanted to come tonight, but I told her to wait."
"Sad, I did want to see her. But I shall wait for now. How have things been going with your puppet business, Kawaramaru? Do you have all of them ready? or do you still need a few more?" Naraku turned to ask his elder brother.
"I still need a few more, though it will take a few weeks to get them all finished and made. I just need to get a few more parts," he said with a wink. "I'll be going to the local junkyard to look. I'm going to try the one near the graveyard," he winked again.
"I wish you luck with that. So any word on my niece? Was Hayato able to get accepted into the same school?" Naraku asked quickly. The guards were coming around to make sure nothing out of suspicion was going on with the inmates and their visiting relatives.
"Hayato was denied so we won't get any updates on the brat of your niece. Hakudoshi tried to apply, but he was denied. I guess the school found out who they were related to and that's why they weren't granted acceptance," Kawaramaru said angrily. "That would have helped us out a lot." His hands were balled into a tight fist. "We could have had her in our grasps."
"Don't worry my sons. Let's just focus on other things," Urasue smiled creepily. "After we finish here, we will head to the junkyard." As they sat there a thought occurred across her mind. "Before I forget, Kana got to take her class pictures early and she wanted you to have a picture." She opened up her purse and pulled out the wallet sized photo.
"Thank you, mother Usasue. Make sure before you leave that you hand one over to the attendant upfront so that Kagura can get one," Naraku said as he took the photo from his mother.
The same loud sound came again letting everyone know that their time was up. "I'll be sure to do that my son. It's horrible that Kana can't have both her parents in her life. A girl like her needs you to raise her to be strong." She got up from the table, "I'll be back in a few weeks to see you," she said again with a wink.
"Yes, I'll see you then." Naraku gave his family an evil smirk like always.
Later that night as rain poured down, Urasue and her son Kawaramaru snuck into the graveyard several miles down the road. They wore all black so they could blend into the night. They were looking and hunting for freshly dug graves. Rainy days were the only days they would go grave robbing. Only reason they chose these days was because a dog demon like Toga wouldn't be able to track their scents.
They searched for freshly dug soil as it would be easy to dig up. "Ah, a fine rainy evening to do some stealing. Am I right, my son?" Urasue asked. They started looking at the very back of the graveyard and would work their way back up front.
"Indeed mother. The souls from these urns will come to use for the puppets we are creating. We need as many as we can get. The more we have, the more that can help us break Naraku and Kagura out of jail. These clay warriors I've created are unbreakable. Not even the strongest demon can't bring them down," he said quietly with a chuckle.
"Haha, you are so clever my son. The clay warriors are a brilliant idea. Once Naraku and Kagura are out of jail, your younger brother, Byakuya, will send the clay warriors to the underworld after their escape," Urasue announced. "Some guards will lose their lives in the process."
"Hehe, yes. Muso will have the getaway car a clear distance away from the jail. That way Naraku and Kagura don't get sucked into the vortex."
"Yes, I don't want our family to be harmed. Your father, Onigumo has a house hidden away at an abandoned mansion for them to hide out in. He has his good old friend, Priest Hakushin, setting up a barrier so no one can track their scents."
"Hehe, just a few more weeks until our family is back together again."
For several hours they would dig up ten fresh graves throughout the night. When the sun was starting to light the morning sky, they flew off before the temple owners got there. "These will be enough urns, mother. Now to start preparing the clay warriors."
"Indeed my son. These last souls will count up to a hundred. Let's hurry home and get some rest, your poor mother is exhausted." The elderly witch yawned as they headed towards their home.
"You can sleep, mother. I'm too eager to get this work done. After I put the ashes of these dead folks into the clay warriors, I'll get some sleep myself."
What the two didn't know was that someone was in the graveyard with them. It was the graveyard caretaker. He had his iphone out and took a quick snapshot of Urasue and her son Kawaramaru flying off into the sky.
I love waking up to bright sunny mornings. Last night's rain was crazy. It made me wonder if another grave robbery happened. I would have to do some research later today to see. As I laid here trying to wake up, my iphone started to buzz. I sat up and picked up my phone to see an incoming text from Sesshomaru. I opened it up very quickly to read.
Good morning, my little lavender. I hope I didn't wake you. Even if Sesshomaru did wake me up, it wouldn't have bothered me. He usually wakes me up by poking my nose. Sometimes he kisses me awake.
Good morning, my demon charming. You didn't wake me. I just woke up to this beautiful morning. Do you have an early class today? I held on to my phone as I got out of bed to search for an outfit to wear today. Looking through my closet I picked out a hippie style dress that was navy blue, with off the shoulder sleeves. My phone buzzed again as I laid the dress down on my bed.
Yes, I'm heading to my class now. The professor for criminal justice is such an early bird. I don't see how he can have a class at six in the morning. I saw that text bubble below his message going. I guess he had something else to say. What time is your first class?
My first class is at eight with professor Bankotsu again. Then I have free time for two hours before I have class with Professor Kikyo for archery and then Lady Kaede last. I'm glad that I don't need much more credits to graduate.
Not bad. What do you do during your break between classes? The only thing I'm doing is going to the library.
I go to the library. I'm trying to find any more evidence that was missed with the grave robbing case. Oh! I don't think I told you. A girl in Lady Kaede's class was pissed off that she didn't get that case. Then she went on saying that you and I don't belong together and I should be with my own kind. Lady Kaede stepped in and put her in her place. How did I forget to tell him that? I always tell Sesshomaru what's going on. I guess I was too focused on other things.
He would understand. Really? The nerve of some people. Who was this person? I'm assuming she was a demon?
Yes, her name is Koto Takagami and she too is a dog demon.
He texted back very fast. She's attending there?
Do you know her? I had to ask. I wonder how he knows her?
Yes, she's my younger cousin on my mother's side of the family. She's my mother's older brother's daughter. That side of the family is old school strict. They only mate with their kind. They are all pissed off that I didn't follow their ways. That's why you don't hear me talk about them. Just be careful when you're around her. She shows the same strength as me. But I'm stronger.
I'll make sure to avoid her. Thank you for letting me know. I don't need another incident like the last time like…with what happened with Kyoya. That memory still haunts me. I placed my hand over Sesshomaru's mark. I still have nightmares from that day at the mall. It's scary that he'll be released soon. I know Sesshomaru can feel my concern about that incident.
Let me know if she tries to come at you. I'll be there to put her in her place. I know you're worried about that bastard being released soon. He does have to register as a mark offender for life. I'm happy about that. Hopefully I don't see him ever again. If he does try to come for you again, I'll be there as fast as possible. He'll be in a hospital with broken bones throughout his body. Sesshomaru is so protective. I love him for that. I'm sorry to cut our conversation short my little lavender, but I'm heading into class now. I'll message you later today. I love you and have an amazing day.
I love you too. Talk to you later. After our brief conversation we had, I got myself all ready for the day. Today is a new day and I'm going to enjoy it. After I was ready, I gathered up my belongings and headed out on this beautiful Tuesday morning.