Instead of a random mission, I wanted to create one more irrelevant to the storyline. It took a little longer than I hoped to get my writing mojo, but I hope you enjoy it.
Tease
Ch. 13
Kagome glanced down at her phone and looked around the area. According to Bankotsu's message, she was at the right place.
"There you are. Nice of you to show up," Bankotsu said, approaching the woman.
Kagome folded her arms, frowning at Bankotsu, "Whatever Bankotsu. What's your deal anyway? I was having a great night before you ruined it."
Bankotsu smirked, handing her a robe, "Yeah, I can tell how your night was going. Cute skirt. Does it come in adult sizes?"
Kagome rolled her eyes. She looked around the area. The only thing for miles was an abandoned warehouse, lit by a few flickering street lights. She shrugged on her robe, speaking softly, though she doubted anyone else was nearby.
"This doesn't seem like our typical mission," Kagome cracked a smile, "I'm usually in something a little more glamourous."
Her partner didn't smile back, "I think this may be a little bigger than our normal stuff."
"Hopefully the pay is a little bigger too," Kagome joked.
"No pay this time."
Kagome's head whipped to the man, "What?"
Kagome had never known Bankotsu to get his hands dirty without a price. He wouldn't even keep her mail when she travelled without a fee. It must have been serious. Bankotsu fastened a small camera to Kagome, obscuring it with a portion of the robe. He continued briefing Kagome.
"I received a call from an old friend, Renkotsu. He noticed the rate of children's disappearances had gone up and decided to investigate."
Kagome bit her lip softly, brows furrowed, "I mean that's really sad, but shouldn't this be a job for the police?"
Bankotsu sighed, "It looked to be the same type of child disappearing: half-demons from poor families or from immigrant families and this was in Kamagasaki. The police don't show much interest there compared to the rest of Osaka."
"Their parents couldn't afford a private detective for this or may not have the right identification and were too afraid the authorities would separate their family. I understand now," Kagome concluded, "Why are we here though? The kidnappings were in Kamagasaki, right?"
Bankotsu nodded and clipped a small earpiece onto Kagome's lobe. He opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated a moment, "Renkotsu found the children…or their bodies more accurately. He couldn't pinpoint why the children were stolen and killed, but the work looked to be done by a group of priestesses and monks."
Kagome paled, reeling from the information. She closed her eyes, silent a moment herself, envisaging and giving respect to the young lives lost. Her eyes shone brightly, full of unshed tears when she opened them.
"Does Renkotsu think those monsters have come here?"
"No, it looks almost to be an emerging cult looking to destroy all the progress we've made the last 100 years. They're just some extremists unhappy that demons and humans can be together."
"They're more than extremists. They're murderers of innocent children!" Kagome shouted, balling her fists, "They've completely disregarded our creed and purpose. We protect the world from evil, not fuel wickedness."
"I know, but they don't see it that way. Renkotsu noticed string of disappearances in our area similar to Kamagasaki and since you're a priestess, we thought sneaking you in would be the best bet."
Bankotsu fastened a headset to himself and motioned to the woman. The two skirted the building and Bankotsu creaked open the warehouse door. Kagome slipped in and heard a distant rumbling of voices in chant.
"It sounds like they're starting. When they go on the move, blend in; I'll coach you from your earpiece. I'll be close by if you get in a bind," Bankotsu instructed.
"Where are you going? Shouldn't you be here to help me find this kid?"
Bankotsu smirked, "You're not scared, are you? You're here to deliver immediate results. I'm more here for the big picture. I want to know why they're doing this."
The chanting sounds seemed to come closer. Kagome turned in the direction of the voices. She braced herself and pulled the hood of her robe over her face.
"Ok, I can do this. I'm ready," Kagome announced, but when she turned around, Bankotsu was already gone.
A brood of figures approached, wearing to same robes that Kagome donned. Creeping around the old barrels, Kagome slipped to the tail end of the crowd. Her voice joined the chants as the crowd walked past two large doors. The group walked into a room, dimly lit with a grimy green-tinted overhead light. Kagome could hear the whimpers of someone; it sounded like a girl. Rounding a corner, Kagome made contact with the source of the cries. A small child, no bigger than Shippo, was shackled to a cross-shaped board.
Kagome bit back a gasp, "What is this?"
"This is divinity, young miko," the figure next to her answered.
The individuals surrounded the girl, dropping their hoods. Kagome hesitated.
"Don't be afraid to show your face. We are all here for a noble cause. Mukotsu sent you correct?"
"Um, yes, but Mukotsu did not tell me much," Kagome quaked, steeling her voice after a moment.
Kagome slipped off her hood. The leader, who had spoken to her, chuckled.
"Of course, he sent you. Mukotsu always has a thing for the pretty ones."
Kagome whispered a thank you, taking in the features of the small child's captors. The main person was a man that honestly looked more sinister than the demons he hunted down. The man's cheeks were orange streaked, ragged markings that glowed as he unleased his aura. The others followed suit and the powers melded with a crackle in the air. The little girl screamed as their energy jolted through her.
"Please! Stop! I just want to go back to my mommy!" The poor child wailed.
The leader spoke, "Ai, we have been over this. Your mother is no more. She lied with a demon and bore his spawn, you. Her soul could not be redeemed, but if you reject your demonic heritage, you will be saved."
Ai nodded profusely, "Ok, I won't be a demon anymore. Please let me go!"
Kagome's throat bobbled as she stepped forward. How long was Bankotsu going to hide in the shadows, leaving her to deal with this alone? The situation was much graver than she could have imagined.
"I'm still new, I get it, but is her treatment needed? It hardly seems like she needs to be chained up."
The head of the group unshackled the girl, but held her down by her shoulders.
"Bring forth the blade."
A shadowed individual handed the unnamed man a blade made of fire opal. He infused the blade in his own holy energy.
"You're going to kill her?" Kagome gasped, unable to hide her horror.
A woman patted her back, "Settle yourself. The girl's life is on her own hands. There is nothing we can do for demon children for they were born into the filth of their ancestry, but half demons need only to be severed from their baser impure side."
The figures began chanting once more, glowing more brightly than before. Their bodies lit up the room and for the first time, Kagome could fully see the horrors that had been hidden in the room. Body parts hung off the walls. Bat wings, horns, tails, and paws were petrified and shown off as trophies. On the far side of the wall, Kagome caught the sight of children, dead children, suspended from the ceiling. Kagome's heart beat like a madman against her ribcage. She wondered if the others heard the crescendo of her heart or was that all in her mind.
"What is all this?" She croaked.
"The others received the same chance at redemption and chose incorrectly."
The man caressed Ai's cheek. He pulled her hair up into a messy bun, revealing two ears like fins, tipped aqua green in color. Ai's ears wiggled in alarm as the head priest pressed them against the board.
"Alright Ai, you've been graced with mostly human features. You must sacrifice your hearing, but hopefully your life will be spared."
Kagome's eyes widened, deciphering his words, "Don't."
The blade slammed down on Ai, slicing an ear off with a clean cut. Kagome delivered a punch to the man and scooped up the girl. Ai released a gut-wrenching scream, holding her bloody ear. Kagome cupped the girl's wound, healing her. It had been years, but Kagome was confident she could still reattach body parts. The horde surrounded her, but Kagome erected a barrier, staving off the projection blows shot by the cult.
"Damnit Kagome, run!" Kagome heard overhead.
Jumping from the rafters, Bankotsu pulled out a gun, shooting into the crowd.
"No, don't!" Kagome cried.
"With their spiritual energy, these hollow points won't do much damage so don't worry. These bastards will live, but I'm gonna make sure they wake up sore."
Kagome nodded and took off toward the entrance with Ai.
"Sweetie, are there any more children here?"
"The basement," Ai whimpered, curling into the woman.
Kagome sighed. Of course. Was there ever a bad guy who didn't keep people in the basement? Kagome pulled open the metal door and inspected Ai. Her ear had healed, though she would probably have a scar. She wiped the girl's tears away and sat her on the ground.
"Ok, Im going to get those kids out. You go hide and-"
"Did you think I would let you leave?"
Someone grabbed Kagome by her neck, slamming her on the ground, back inside the warehouse. It was the leader, brandishing the fire opal blade. Kagome's head knocked against the cement. She groaned and cradled the back of her head. The priest slammed his foot into her stomach, digging his heel into her side.
"Who are you, monster?" Kagome grunted out.
"I'm called Mokoba, Kagome. That's your name, right? I believe I heard your little friend call you that."
Mokoba pulled Kagome up by her hair and pressed his blade against her neck, "It doesn't matter, you'll die tonight for interfering. A holy being protecting the lives of demon filth deserve nothing less than death!"
Kagome gave him a kick in the shins, twisted his body at the waist and kneed him in the face. Kagome ran back toward Bankotsu.
"Bankotsu!" Kagome cried, looking over her shoulder.
"Here!"
Kagome bolted in the direction of his voice, meeting her partner. He'd made quick work of the priests and priestesses, caught off guard by him.
"There are more kids! Ai said there were more in the basement," Kagome blurted out, tugging him toward where she assumed another room would be.
Bankotsu pulled her in the opposite direction, "We need to go, Kagome."
"No, we can't leave them-"
"They're dead. We need to leave now."
Kagome followed him toward the entrance. She couldn't believe what her ears had heard. Standing at the entrance was Mokoba, holding the limp body of Ai. Kagome saw immediately that the girl was dead with a frightened expression forever frozen on her face.
"Look what you did. I would have made her death painless, but you made me punish her."
Mokoba dropped her body in an unceremonious heap. He locked eyes with Kagome. Quicker than the eye, he charged her, swiping at the girl. Kagome dodged, but couldn't evade the blade completely. Mokoba sliced her shoulder blade, sending the woman stumbling to her knees. Bankotsu knocked Mokotsu back and pulled out a small ball. He threw it on the ground and held his breath.
The ball exploded, filling the space with a cloud of nauseous smoke. Kagome hacked a few coughs. She couldn't see anything and the gas was wearing on her senses. She felt a warm body scoop her up. The touch was gentle and as she lost consciousness, she prayed it was Bankotsu that held her.
Kagome shot up, clutching at her chest in a weak attempt to steady her heart.
"Woah, woah, easy Kagome," Bankotsu said, easing her back in the bed.
Kagome took in her surrounding for the first time. She was in Bankotsu's home, in his guest room to be exact. Kagome looked down. She was still donning her miniskirt, but her shirt was missing.
"What's going on? Did you do something while I was out?"
Bankotsu scoffed, grinning at Kagome, "Glad to see your humor is intact. I needed to take your shirt off to clean your wound."
Kagome touched her shoulder tenderly. She unwrapped the gauze covering the wound. Luckily for her the wound wasn't deep and probably wouldn't even leave a scar. It wasn't the blade that she feared would scar her. Those children...those bodies.
"What happened to everyone? Did anyone make it. You said-you said all the children there were dead. How do you know? Perhaps if we went back-"
"Kagome," Bankotsu interjected gently, "take a look at this."
Bankotsu flipped on the television, "Our warehouse incident made the local news, but they are labeling it a mass suicide."
Kagome saw visions of charred bodies zipped up in body bags. There were far more child-sized body bags than she could have imagined. A group of firefighters carted the cross shaped board offscreen.
"When was there a fire?" Kagome asked.
"Shortly, after we got out I guess. No one knows who started it, but there haven't been any survivors. I'd planned on returning to check things out, but I bet it's gonna be swarming with cops for a while. In the meantime, you may want to head home. I'll keep surveying things, make sure nothing can be linked to us."
Kagome nodded and made her way to her car. She turned the engine, idly wondering how Bankotsu was able to get her car back to his home safely. Perhaps he hadn't driven to the warehouse, afraid to make too many tire tracks. It was a minor issue though against some much bigger ones. Kagome wouldn't openly admit it, but she couldn't go home. Not yet. She pulled up her gps and plugged in the route of a certain dog demon.
The doorbell rang. Sesshoumaru opened the door to see Kagome standing in front of him.
"Kagome? Hey, what's wrong?"
Kagome wrapped her arms around the man. Sesshoumaru returned the embrace and pulled her inside.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Sesshoumaru coaxed.
"I just wanted to spend a little more time with you," she whispered.
Sesshoumaru guided her to his bedroom and lied her on his bed. He crawled over to her, still confused about the woman's fragility. Kagome cuddled into his side.
Sesszhoumaru stroked her hair gently, "So, what happened to you?"
Kagome lifted up, "Oh nothing. I just..."
Sesshoumaru frowned, "I can smell a lie, careful."
Kagome turned from his sharp eyes, "I'm fine, just handling some personal stuff. Don't fret over little old me."
"I'm not fretting. I'm just…concerned," Sesshoumaru found her response unacceptable, but wouldn't push the subject. Their relationship was still new; it wasn't odd for her to hold some things back.
Kagome regretted coming over. She couldn't tell him everything going on in her head; she couldn't make sense of it herself. Sesshoumaru's tail wrapped around her waist. Kagome looked back at the demon before her. The warmth in his golden eyes made her heart swell. She snuggled back into his side, clutching to him like a lifeline. If Sesshoumaru thought the action odd, he didn't speak on it.
"Did you see the news story about a mass suicide at a warehouse near here?" Kagome asked.
A lightbulb went off in Sesshoumaru's head. Now Kagome's melancholy behavior made sense. Of course, something like that would bother her. He ran his fingers through her ebony locks and shifted into a more comfortable position.
"I did. It's a tragedy and a real shock to everyone at the precinct. Naraku's on the case now."
"Really? I hope there are no other groups. The adults knew what they were doing, but why did they have to punish those poor children?" Kagome said, speaking more to herself, "They claimed to be holy, but holy people don't mutilate kids."
Sesshoumaru didn't speak. That was a detail that the police hadn't released. The only reason he knew was because Naraku looped him after someone reported the fire. The hairs rose on his arm. How did Kagome know about the children's conditions or the fact the most of the people killed had spiritual powers? Sesshoumaru rubbed her back, eyeing her curiously.
"When is Rin returning, by the way?"
Sesshoumaru glanced at his phone, "I let her stay at my father's an extra night. I'll pick her up tomorrow night. You're free to rest here the night."
Kagome kissed Sesshoumaru's cheek, "Thank you, though I didn't bring any clothes to sleep in."
"Funny, I don't recall you wearing anything when you fell asleep last night. I'm not opposed to a similar sleeping arrangement tonight," Sesshoumaru answered, nibbling on her neck.
Kagome laughed, exposing her neck in submission to the dog demon. Sesshoumaru lifted her into a sitting position on his lap. Giving an appreciative growl, Sesshoumaru ran his fangs down her collarbone. He took a moment to inch his canines over Kagome's pulse, noticing how she shuddered against his touch. He kissed down to her shoulder and Kagome lifted her arms to allow Sesshoumaru to take off her top. He tossed the shirt aside and frowned.
"You hurt yourself," Sesshoumaru commented, pulling her bra strap to the side.
"Oh I had that mark already," Kagome improvised. She hoped Sesshoumaru wouldn't push the issue.
Kagome gasped as Sesshoumaru ran his tongue along the gash. The metallic aftertaste of blood trailed on his tongue. The wound had only recently sealed.
"You didn't have this mark last night," Sesshoumaru met her eyes stoically, his tone quiet.
Kagome squirmed under his stern gaze, before she broke down, "I was in a minor altercation."
"When were you in a fight? Last night?"
"It was nothing big, Sesshoumaru. It was at the club."
"Who touched you?"
Kagome shook her head, "It was nothing. One of the girls texted me when a customer got rowdy."
"Who touched you?" Sesshoumaru asked again, tracing the thin mark with his thumb. His eyes moved on to her hips, bearing a couple faint bruises. She was probably using her miko powers to heal faster.
Kagome silenced him with a kiss, biting his lower lip. Kagome didn't want him asking anymore questions, catching her in a lie. Kagome pulled back and caressed Sesshoumaru's cheek, tickling at his demonic stripes.
"It's fine, I handled it," Kagome concluded. Her tone left no room for further discussion.
"Fine." Sesshoumaru remained unconvinced, passing a final side-eye at her wound before shedding his own clothes. Stripped down to his boxers, Sesshoumaru tossed Kagome an oversized t-shirt.
"You don't want to see me naked anymore?" Kagome questioned, putting on the shirt. Her disappointment was poorly hidden.
"I want you to heal completely," Sesshoumaru answered, drawing her into another quick kiss, "and next time your friend reaches out to you about some scumbag causing trouble, either call the police, or tell me and I'll handle it."
Kagome nodded obediently, fighting a smile. Sesshoumaru settled back in bed.
"I understand. Thank you Sesshoumaru, I'll make our date night up to you, I promise."
"How about tomorrow? My brother has been adamant as of late about meeting you."
"Really? What do you propose?"
Sesshoumaru stretched out, "Lunch at that diner I spoke to you about last week? I believe Inuyasha's intent is for this to be a double date. If you're not opposed to the idea and won't be fighting crime tonight, I can set up a time for us to meet."
"That sounds nice."
The demon nodded, "Alright then, I'll let him know. Try not to be some vigilante while I'm gone."
Kagome laughed nervously at Sesshoumaru's joke. He had no idea how accurate his train of thought was. Kagome sighed. She had a hunch that things weren't over with the missing children's case, even if all those extremists were gone and if her hunch was right, things were about to get way more complicated.