A/N: Another update! Thanks for all the feedback. This chapter will be more plot-heavy. The end of this story is in sight!

Kohaku flipped on the lights in the art studio and shut the door softly behind him. He pulled at his soaked t-shirt before he heard a noise from the floor above. He paused before reaching for the baseball bat that Sango kept near the register.

He calmly climbed the stairs, mindful to walk on his toes to reduce the amount of sound his feet made. Sango was supposed to be out of town for the next few weeks, so he knew it had to be someone else up there.

His hands tightened around the base of the bat as he neared his sister's room and slowly opened the door. He tensed for a moment, ready to strike, only to let the bat fall limply at his side. Sango was in her room, and she was feverishly packing her bag.

Metal glittered from her bag from the overhead light above her bed. Kohaku recognized her sickle and spotted the demon slayer marking along the hilt. Sango stopped packing when she noticed him in the doorway.

"Kohaku, you're home late," Sango observed before she resumed packing, "I figured you'd be asleep by now. I'll only be a minute, and then I'll be on my way," she added hastily.

"Sango," Kohaku caught his sister's attention, "we need to talk,"

Sango froze for a moment before her shoulders relaxed, "Of course. We can talk about anything," she assured him.

"I need to shower and eat something. Don't leave until we've talked," he replied sternly, knowing his sister would try to sneak away while he was showering.

"Sure thing. I can check out what you have in the fridge and wipe up something to eat," she offered.

"I'd like that. Thanks," he answered, his expression softening, "I won't be long,"

Sango nodded before Kohaku turned around to go to his room. They each had personal bathrooms attached to their bedrooms, so he stripped down and turned the water on. He welcomed the cold water, even though the sweat on his body from earlier had grown cold. He just wanted to wash away all the tiredness he felt.

He washed his hair and body before jumping out to dry himself. He didn't take long at all. He threw on some shorts and a t-shirt before heading over to the kitchen. Sango had made a mushroom omelet and toast. He could smell the bacon sizzling in the pan. While not his usual dinner, he wasn't complaining. He was just happy she was still there.

"I hope this is okay. I wanted to make something quick with what was in the fridge," Sango offered with a helpless shrug. Kohaku smiled before shaking off her concern. "It's fine," he assured her. He thanked her as she handed him a plate, and he dug in. She watched him eat happily before her smile faded slightly.

"Why were you out on campus so late? Did you get a job?" she asked curiously. Kohaku paused in eating for a moment before nodding.

"Something like that," he agreed, "I got an assistant job with my chemistry professor. She's been working me late each night for the past week,"

"Just make sure that your studies come first. If she's taking too much of your time, you can always quit," Sango offered, and Kohaku nodded. "I know," he replied with a smile before he averted his gaze and continued eating.

"How's the hunt going?" Kohaku asked in between bites. Sango's shoulders fell with a sigh.

"Not great. I thought we were onto something in a nearby town, but a girl was taken from here. She also didn't fit the kidnapper's profile. She's blonde and very connected with family and friends. We aren't sure if it was an opportunistic kidnapping or the kidnapper is changing their preferences," she explained with a grimace.

"Anyone that I know?" Kohaku asked, and Sango shook her head.

"I can't share that information. My client isn't happy that I haven't found their daughter yet. I don't have much time left," she added while hanging her head in defeat.

"You'll find them," Kohaku assured her, "I wish I could help you more,"

"It's okay. I know I will find her, and the rest of the missing girls. These disappearances have to be connected," she replied before looking back at him, "What did you want to talk about?" she asked, seemingly done with talking about her cases.

Kohaku gulped before wringing his hands together for a moment, "You remember that scar you gave me while we were training when I was a kid?" he asked before rubbing his collar bone where the scar was under his clothes.

"Yeah?" she asked and didn't seem to be concerned or worried about what he was asking.

"I - I've learned that it's a special kind of scar. A mark of a demon slayer," he continued and noted her eyes widened slightly before her expression returned to its neutral state.

"Who told you that?" Sango asked suspiciously.

"No one. I came across it - in a book," Kohaku quickly improvised. He had promised Kagura that he'd keep her identity a secret. He wasn't about to break his word, even for his sister.

"You're lying," Sango pointed out, "Why don't you tell me how you really found out,"

"So, it is true then," Kohaku retorted and internally gave himself a pat on the back when his sister was taken by surprise. "I wasn't completely sure that's what the scar was, but you just confirmed it," he added.

"Dammit," Sango swore before rubbing her face to cover her look of dismay, "I didn't want you to find out unless I died. I had all the information on our family cataloged, which would be released to you in my will. I wanted to mark you so that you could carry the family secret, but I didn't want you to get involved unless you absolutely had to be," she explained.

"So, that's why you trained me all those years?" he asked, and Sango nodded. "I didn't want you to be completely helpless when you learned about the family's profession. Demons are far stronger than we are, so I had to train your body and your mind. Which is why your powders and poisons are so helpful when I get overpowered in a battle,"

"Now that I know, I can help you on the field," Kohaku offered happily, excited at the idea of getting in battle experience. Then he could show Kagura how much more powerful he'd become.

"No. You have to complete your studies. Get your degree first. I want you to have a backup job to hide your true profession. My private investigator gig is my backup. You need to find yours before you can join me. I will not jeopardize your education," Sango dismissed him firmly.

"But I've been - Okay," Kohaku caught himself before he revealed that he had been training with Kagura. He had been so close to telling her true identity. Sango wouldn't understand their agreement, nor would she allow a demon to live under her watch. The way Kagura had been so on guard when she found out he could be a demon slayer said as much.

"Once you've graduated and established yourself, then we can talk about you joining me. For now, focus on your education," Sango affirmed, and Kohaku hesitantly agreed.

"Now, I have to finish packing," Sango announced but paused when they heard a knock at the door. Kohaku turned and froze when he spotted a police uniform through the glass door. He didn't look like he was going to arrest them, but he did look concerned.

Sango opened the door and let the man inside. His look of concern quickly faded into a wide grin when he got a good look at his sister. Kohaku held in the need to groan. He knew his sister was attractive, but this man was looking at her like she was a goddess.

"I'm sorry to bother you so late," he apologized before taking his hat off and bowing elegantly, "I'm looking for Rin," he said. Kohaku froze in his chair at the familiar name, her face appearing in his mind. He had been so distracted with his training with Kagura that he had forgotten entirely about her.

He swiveled in his chair to face the officer as he continued, "She texted me that she was on her way here to see a 'Kohaku' and gave me this address, but that was over two hours ago. She told me that I didn't need to follow her, but after two hours I got suspicious,"

"She was coming here?" Kohaku asked, and wondered why she hadn't told him, and then remembered that they had never exchanged phone numbers. Kohaku had been too embarrassed to ask and was worried he would come on too strong if he had. Now he regretted it.

"Are you Kohaku?" the officer asked, and Kohaku nodded. "I had no idea she was coming here, or I would have come back sooner. I was out late working on campus," he told the officer.

"Rin didn't call or text you that she was coming over?" the officer asked curiously, and Kohaku shook his head. "We haven't exchanged numbers, just talked a couple of times in class," he replied. Well, it was more of a one-sided conversation, but he kept that to himself.

"How long were you in the building, Miss?" the officer asked, turning back to Sango. She shook her head. "Not long before Kohaku came in. I was only stopping to pack my things and head on my way to the next town. I'm investigating a couple of disappearance cases,"

"Beautiful and badass," the officer noted with a smirk before his expression became serious again, "I mean, that's pretty cool,"

"Thanks, and who are you?" Sango asked while crossing her arms over her chest. Kohaku couldn't hide his sigh when the officer's gaze went straight to her chest with the motion. Sango didn't miss it, either.

"Officer?" she pressed with a raised brow.

"Uh - my apologies! I'm Miroku Monk, just your friendly neighborhood police officer. I'm working with Rin at the moment to keep her safe,"

"Well, you obviously excel at your job," Sango snipped sarcastically, and Kohaku sucked in a breath to see what his reaction would be. Instead of being offended, the officer merely laughed heartily.

"Obviously," he agreed while his shoulders slumped, "I'll show myself out then. I'll try to retrace Rin's steps from the apartment to your location. I didn't have much luck finding her while driving in the squad car. She's not answering her phone. Can I leave my cell with you in case she ends up stopping by here?" Miroku asked, and Sango nodded. He read out his number to her, which she put in her phone before texting him, so he had hers as well.

"I'll come with you," Kohaku offered, "I know the campus well, and she might have stopped at some other places on the way here," he added. Then he turned to Sango and looked at her hopefully.

"Could you stay here until we get back, in case Rin comes here?" he asked, and Sango sighed before her hands fell to her sides, and she nodded.

"I can only give you a couple of hours. Any more, and I'm risking my leads," she replied. Kohaku thanked her before hurrying to follow Miroku out the door.

"Why do you need to go see your friend now?" Kagome asked while watching Rin put a new pair of clothes in her bag as well as her coursework. She guessed the extra clothes were because Rin was planning on stopping back at Sesshomaru's after seeing Kohaku unless she was sleeping with Kohaku too.

Kagome's face heated up at the idea that her friend could go from no prospects to juggling two men at the same time. What a wild drama Rin's life was becoming!

"I haven't seen him in a while, and I want to make sure he's doing well. He showed me where his sister works, which is where he lives," Rin replied before slinging the bag over her shoulder.

"I can come with you," Inuyasha offered from his seat in the living room.

"No, that's okay. Sesshomaru is meeting me out front," Rin shook her head, "He offered to walk me there, and then we might stay at his apartment afterward," she added with a slight blush.

"Be sure to let Miroku know. He's been watching over the building religiously for the past two days," Kagome told her, and Rin nodded.

"I will. I'll go and wait outside for Sesshomaru," Rin told her friend before they shared a hug and said their goodbyes. Inuyasha even got a farewell and a quick hug. Kagome watched her friend go with pride at how well she was blossoming into the person she knew Rin had been all along. She was so happy others were able to experience and appreciate her light.

Inuyasha hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side as Rin closed and locked the door.

"You okay?" he asked against her hair, his hair tickling her nose.

"Yeah, I'm just happy for her," Kagome said with a watery smile, "I've wanted this for her for so long, and now it's actually happening," she added. Inuyasha rubbed her hip before patting it affectionately.

"You should be proud, too. You did this for her by always being there when she needed someone. I doubt she would have made it without you," he informed her sweetly. She smiled again before turning so she could pull his face down for a kiss. He returned it eagerly.

"Rin! Good evening!" Miroku greeted Rin happily as she walked towards his patrol car. She smiled before resting her forearms on his window.

"I - I am going to see a friend on campus. My professor is meeting me here to walk me since we have some things to take care of at the museum,"

"Okay, sounds good. Do you mind giving me the address of your friend? Just in case I don't hear from you," Miroku asked, and Rin nodded. She shared Kohaku's address with him before noticing Miroku's gaze turning from her to someone approaching the car.

She expected to see Sesshomaru, so froze when she saw Kasai there. His bright red eyes shined brightly in the darkness, and she turned back to Miroku in fear but saw that his eyes were glazed over. He also sat frozen like a statue. It was like he was put into a daze.

"You won't get any help from him," Kasai told her before closing the distance between them, "He's under my power of suggestion. He just sees you walking away with your precious professor," he informed her. He put his hands on either side of the car, boxing her in.

"I could do it to you too. I could make you think I was Sesshomaru. Would that make you feel better?" he asked suggestively, and suddenly his red eyes were replaced with golden irises. Rin's blood went cold. He was an exact replica of Sesshomaru, demon markings and all.

"How far have we gone, my sweet Rin?" he murmured the question against her ear, and to her horror, even his voice sounded like Sesshomaru's, "Have I kissed you, felt your breasts...been inside you?" he purred.

The hairs on Rin's neck stood on end, and the fear clawed at her throat, but she pushed it aside. With a quick shove, she tried to move Kasai away from her, but he merely laughed at her attempts.

"You don't have any hope against me here," he told her, "Not with this new power of mine. I have to say, and it's exciting how much stronger I seem to get every day," he added.

"Why are you doing this?" Rin asked, tears burning the sides of her eyes. Kasai paused, taken aback at the sound of her voice before his expression smoothed over. It was eerie watching Kasai's expressions on Sesshomaru's face.

"Because I want you," he said, "I have ever since I first laid eyes on you. More than I've wanted the other women I've taken to my father,"

"O-Other women?" Rin asked fearfully.

"This campus is my stomping grounds for gathering human women for my father and other human-loving demons. Human brides are all the rage right now. It's made my father wealthy and powerful. As the future owner of his business, I get the merchandise,"

"How can you talk about people like that?" she asked and tried to pull away when Kasai grabbed her arms and pulled her up against him. She had to keep saying his name in her head so she wouldn't be fooled into thinking that Sesshomaru was the one in front of her.

"Because that's all I see them as objects for enjoyment. Until I met you, then I understood the lust that demons feel for humans, and I wanted you to be mine. You can be my plaything until you grow old, then I can simply find another,"

"Never," Rin seethed before she spat in his face. Sesshomaru's image faded as Kasai's face returned. He wiped her spit away before gently cupping her face.

"Just wait until I show you how much pleasure I can give you. Then you'll be mine forever," he promised before forcing a kiss on her lips. Rin instantly shrieked before kicking and scratching anything she could reach. He was undisturbed by her struggles, letting his hands run up and down her sides before cupping one of her breasts.

She bit down on his lips as hard as she could, drawing blood. Kasai swore under his breath before pulling back to touch his mouth. It healed almost instantly, and he stared down at her with crazed eyes.

"Why do you want me to hurt you? I don't want to, I love you," he asked as he tried to kiss her again. She turned her face away to avoid his lips and screamed when he kissed her jaw and started venturing lower.

He was about to rip her shirt when he was suddenly pulled away from her. Rin shuddered against the police car before she slowly slid to the ground. She looked up to see Sesshomaru gripping Kasai's neck in his claws. They were dug into his flesh, drawing blood.

"You can't kill me," Kasai grunted, blood dripping from his mouth, "My family will hunt you down and kill you," he seethed.

"Let them try," Sesshomaru growled back before digging his free hand into Kasai's stomach, tearing at the flesh there. Kasai let out a gurgled cry before desperately trying to get out of Sesshomaru's grasp.

"Wait!" Rin suddenly screamed, "Don't kill him," she said, and Sesshomaru looked back at her with red eyes. She remembered seeing those eyes back when he had turned into his demonic form. She had never seen them directed at her, and she paused for a moment.

"He mentioned there were other women that he kidnapped. We need to free them," Rin said while looking up distastefully at Kasai, "Only he knows where they are," she added. Sesshomaru paused for a moment before lowering Kasai to the ground.

"If that is what you want," Sesshomaru replied, but didn't loosen his grip, "I need to make him submit to me, or he will attack you again," he stated, and Rin looked back at him in confusion.

"You want to challenge me?" Kasai asked before letting out a curt laugh, "Go ahead, I doubt you can beat me with my newfound power," he practically begged Sesshomaru to fight him. Sesshomaru didn't reply but extended his other hand, which emitted a grayish barrier around the three of them.

Miroku and the apartment building disappeared behind the barrier, effectively cutting them off from the rest of the world. Rin felt a warmth envelop her and saw a golden barrier appear around her, keeping her safe. Sesshomaru released him before stepping back and started to change.

His human-like features faded away into his demonic form, but to a much larger degree. He hadn't been lying when he said she had only seen a pint-sized version of his true self. She watched in awe as his body turned into the giant dog demon that was his pure form. The white tail wrapped around his shoulder and billowed brilliantly as he growled at Kasai, who had also changed.

While Sesshomaru was transforming, Kasai had also grown in size, similar to Sesshomaru's. He was not nearly as large as him, but still much larger than he had been in the alleyway. His reddish fur stood up on end before he lunged towards Sesshomaru. The dog demon quickly evaded his attack before biting into the bear's shoulder.

A loud growl resounded in the space as the two demons continued to fight. Rin could only watch as they exchanged bites and tore at each other's flesh. It was a gruesome fight that Rin was certain Sesshomaru would win, but her fears for his safety were still high in her mind.

The two demons growled and howled at each other, egging the other on to keep coming at them. Kasai got in a few lucky shots that injured Sesshomaru but didn't take him out. Sesshomaru had lunged at Kasai and then had him pinned to the ground. Kasai attempted to claw at his stomach, but couldn't get onto his back.

While Sesshomaru held him there, Rin gave a start when a hole suddenly appeared within the barrier, and a beautiful woman appeared. Her dark hair was pulled up behind her head with dark red eyes that glittered like rubies. Rin didn't recognize the woman but recognized Kohaku following quickly behind her. Then Miroku appeared as well.

"Kohaku!" Rin called, and Kohaku turned at the sound of his name before running towards her. He was stopped by the barrier, and tried to reach inside it, but couldn't get past.

"Rin, you're okay!" he chirped, "I was so worried,"

"Leave your girlfriend for now. We've got other problems," the beautiful woman informed him while looking back at Sesshomaru and Kasai fighting.

"What is this place?" Miroku asked as he stared around the barrier and then landed on the two demons fighting, "Holy hell," he grunted in surprise.

"Stay away," Sesshomaru's voice emitted from the dog demon as he kept Kasai pinned to the ground. His voice boomed around the space, and his eyes fixed on the beautiful woman. She seemed upset by his words but did as he asked. Rin suddenly remembered that the woman was Dr. Kagura Otaku. The same lovely woman who had visited Sesshomaru at the museum before.

Rin was surprised she hadn't recognized her immediately, but she assumed it was because her pure form was in front of her rather than her human disguise. Her attention was brought back to the edge of the barrier when more forms began to walk through it. She recognized the other bear demons who had helped Kasai fight Sesshomaru before.

"Kohaku, Miroku, stay back!" Rin ordered from her place in the barrier, "They are demons, they'll kill you!" she warned. Kohaku braced himself while Miroku pulled out his gun.

"I've seen a lot on the job, but this is definitely a first," Miroku remarked while squaring his shoulders. Kohaku and Kagura shared a look before she pulled a small object from her bracelet and tossed it over to him. It enlarged and became a sword that he caught quickly in his hand.

"We've been training for this," Kagura remarked, "Don't you dare let me down by dying here," she added darkly. Kohaku nodded before the three charged at the other demons making their way towards Sesshomaru.

Rin watched in fear as they charged, expecting the worst, but was quickly amazed to see that they were holding their own. Kohaku was warding off any claws or teeth with his sword and jumped high to inflict wounds on the demons. Kagura had pulled out a fan and was sending what looked like gusts of wind against the group. The wind cut at their limbs, quickly drawing blood.

Miroku kept his distance but shot at any of the demons that were trying to get Kohaku or Kagura from behind. The bullets didn't do too much damage, but it was enough to alert the other two of the demons' presence.

Sesshomaru was keeping Kasai pinned to the ground, and his fangs dug deep into the other demon's neck. Rin saw blood pooling around Kasai's head, but he had not yet submitted to Sesshomaru. He continued to struggle lightly before his paws hit the ground, and he laid limply in Sesshomaru's jaws.

The dog demon waited for a moment before a light shined around Kasai's neck, sealing the wound with the fang marks. Sesshomaru let go of Kasai and stepped away from the demon, allowing him to stand as well. The golden light shined brightly when Kasai tried to lunge towards Sesshomaru, effectively stopping him.

The bear whimpered before growling angrily as he tried to attack Sesshomaru again and again, only to falter when the mark lit up around his neck. Kasai let out a defeated huff before his form began to change back into his humanoid one. Sesshomaru followed suit.

Rin turned towards the trio and saw that they had subdued the other three demons and had them piled on top of one another, Kagura marking them similarly to Sesshomaru. Instead of using her teeth, she used her fan to cut a mark into each of the demons, their markings glowing a similar gold.

Rin's barrier faded away, as well as the gray barrier around them once all the demons had reverted to their humanoid forms. Kasai fell to Sesshomaru's feet as he let out a faint cry of despair.

"My father is going to kill me. I cannot submit to another demon beside him. He won't be able to trust me again," Kasai cried out in dismay, "Please, remove the marking. I won't touch Rin again, and I'll even tell you where the other women are,"

"Other women?" Kohaku asked as he neared them.

"I don't trust your word," Sesshomaru told him levelly, "I will not remove the mark, and you will forever be submitted to me until the day you die," he added.

"Please, you don't understand. My father is not the forgiving type of demon. He'll sooner kill me than give up any information about his business," Kasai retorted, "He may have even sent those other demons to kill me so I wouldn't say anything," he added while pointing to the demons the others had subdued.

"Your life doesn't mean anything to me," Sesshomaru replied, "You're only alive because Rin wished it. Had she not said anything you'd be dead right now,"

"I'm already dead," Kasai laughed humorlessly.

"If you are so afraid of your father, then we will stop him," Rin offered suddenly, taking the group off guard, "Help us stop your father from whatever he is doing to those human women," she added. Kasai looked away in thought for a moment.

"My father is far more powerful than I am. You don't stand a chance against him," he assured the group, "There's no saving those women either. Most of them have been sold off already, or experimented on,"

"Experimented on?" Kohaku pressed with dismay.

"My father is trying to find a way to extend the human's lifespan to match a demon's," Kasai stated solemnly, "He fell in love with a human woman long ago, but her human years were far too short, and she died. Ever since then, he's been focused on finding some way to extend human life. He's gone mad with this idea and searched for funding and research subjects. So, I obliged by bringing him young human women that he could sell and use for his experiments," Kasai explained.

"That's insane," Miroku remarked in amazement.

"I never understood why he was so preoccupied with humans, but now I do," Kasai stated before looking at Rin, "I understand where the madness comes from now. Why he is so driven to be with a human and extending that lifespan so he could be with her for his entire life,"

"You don't understand," Rin told him levelly, "If you truly love someone, you would not hurt them or other innocent people to be with them. You would cherish them and treat them like an equal. You may be obsessed with me, but you do not love me," she stated while shaking her head, and Kasai paused before looking away, digesting her words.

"Perhaps...perhaps my father was also obsessed with the human woman. So much so that it drove him mad to lose her," he said.

"Help us save those other women. Be a hero rather than a villain like your father," Rin offered, extending her hand. Kasai eyed it for a moment before gingerly taking it in his own.

"Okay. I'll do it for you," he said meekly before standing with Rin's help. Sesshomaru took a step forward to stand in between them after they let go of each other's hands. Kasai eyed him defensively but didn't make a move towards Rin.

"How do we find the other women?" Kohaku asked. Kasai eyed the group of demons still held captive.

"We'll have to be quick. I'm sure those demons are messengers from my father. He'll wonder where they are if they don't report soon. The area where the women are is heavily guarded by more demons loyal to my father. You can try to overtake them, or we could sneak in,"

"How do you plan on sneaking in?" Kagura asked suspiciously.

"I go in with Rin as my captive," Kasai offered.

A/N: Cliffhanger! What will the group decide? Can Kasai be trusted? You'll have to wait until the next chapter to find out! Until next time :)