Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Lady Rumiko Takashi, not me.
lostdreams: Hello all! Did ya miss me? Anywho, here's chapter five. You finally get to meet the 'bad guys'. But before that, I received a question/review that I feel the need to explain.
celt: Really cool story, I can't wait to find out more. I don't want to get ahead of the story line but aren't Onigumo and Naraku the same. Well, I'm really enjoying your story.
Okay, technically yes, according to the anime/magna, but for the sake of this fic I'm going to say no. They are not the same person.
Hope that clears up some confusion and does not create more in the process. ^_^ Anyways..on with chapter five: Sparks, Spies, and Trepidation?
-@--@-
Inuyasha calmed down on his way back to his room. As good as it would have felt to beat up Hojo, he was glad Kenji stopped him. He didn't need his cover blown just yet.
Not that anything has even tried to come after Kagome yet, he thought irritably. He was getting restless. It had been over three weeks and there had been no sign of Reiana or any other kind of demon for that matter.
"Inuyasha.." Inuyasha spun around.
"Una! What are you doing sneaking up on me?" he asked with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Sorry," she apologized quickly. "I've found something out, but I don't know if it's of any importance."
"Tell me."
"Well, Mia told me that Ryoko made a strange phone call right after leaving the board room the day you got this assignment."
"What kind of strange phone call?"
"She called someone to apologize to them, as she did not get the Higurashi case." Inuyasha's face contorted in a scowl.
"Were those her exact words?" he asked, puzzled.
"According to Mia, yes."
"That would almost imply that she knew about the case before Onigumo did," Inuyasha looked at Una in disbelief.
"That's what I thought," Una said. Inuyasha continued to decipher the information that Una gave him.
If that's true, then it seems that we have a spy on our hands. He didn't necessarily want to believe it. Ryoko, a hawk youkai, was the one coworker he had that he tolerated well.
"Where's Ryoko now?"
"As far as I know she is still in Tokyo."
"Keep an eye on her, Una. I don't want to think about what could happen if she isn't really on our side." Ryoko could be wicked powerful if she was pushed.
"Of course. I'll also keep trying to find more out about this case."
"Thanks Una."
"Anytime."
"Oh and Una.." Inuyasha stopped the pixie in an after thought. "Be careful." If Ryoko really was working with their enemies the office wouldn't be a safe place, not to mention Onigumo wouldn't be overly thrilled to know Una was going through confidential files.
"Don't worry about me." With a smile the pixie disappeared. Inuyasha stood a second longer, still digesting the information. Disturbed by her words, he went for a run to clear his mind and try and makes some sense out of the situation.
-@--@-
"Kagome! Oi! Kagome! Wait up!" Kagome froze. She recognized that voice all to well. Keeping her head down she continued walking, pretending not to hear.
"Kagome?!" The voice sounded frustrated. Kagome heard footsteps hurry in her direction and then a hand on her shoulder. Wheeling around she came face to face with Hojo. Her insides cringed. Something about Hojo gave her the creeps.
"Hey Hojo," she said half-heartedly, brushing his hand off her shoulder. Scanning the swarm of students around them for any sort of distraction she spotted a certain white-haired someone headed in their direction.
"Inuyasha!" she called to him, waving her hand in the air, completely ignoring Hojo. Hojo face darkened at the sound of Inuyasha's name, but he didn't say anything. Noticing his expression, Kagome edged away from him, still waving at Inuyasha.
-@--@-
Inuyasha sighed inwardly. He hadn't gotten much sleep last night. He didn't know why, but Una's news had bothered him greatly. There was a feeling of dread in the air, which made him even more jumpy.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha started when someone near him called her name. Glancing around, Inuyasha saw Hojo chasing Kagome.
Bastard! Inuyasha started after him, but stopped when he noticed that Kagome was ignoring Hojo. Calming down a little, he decided to watch and see what happened first. She had quickened her pace at the sound of his voice, but Hojo ran to catch up with her anyway. Inuyasha felt a twinge of emotion seeing Hojo's hand rest on Kagome's shoulder longer than necessary. He felt better when he saw her brush Hojo's hand away.
Ha! I knew she wouldn't like him! Inuyasha thought as relief flooded through him. Wait a minute! Why should he care? It's not like HE liked Kagome. Sure they had become friends, but that didn't mean the he should care if she liked another guy.
"Inuyasha!" Relief was evident in Kagome's voice as she called him. Inuyasha smirked at the look on Hojo's face.
Ha! Take that! She's calling for me asshole! Inuyasha couldn't stop those thoughts from surfacing. Wow! Kagome looks really great today. Inuyasha couldn't help admiring Kagome. She was always poised and graceful. Except when she's falling down.. Allowing a small smile to grace his features, he pushed other thoughts out of his head as he reached Kagome.
"What's going on?" he asked, sounding very bored. Inuyasha could tell that Kagome was really happy he had shown up.
"Nothing much. Just on my way to history..you coming?" Kagome's cheeks were tinged pink.
"That would be why I'm here," he answered pointedly. Inuyasha became very aware that Kagome was sidling up next to him, away from Hojo.
It's almost like she's afraid of him.. Inuyasha thought in wonder. Don't worry Kagome, I'm here and Hojo is a complete wuss.
"Well Kag-" Hojo began but was instantly silenced by a withering look from Inuyasha.
"Yea Hojo?" Kagome had now but Inuyasha between Hojo and herself.
"Nevermind. See ya later." Hojo gave Inuyasha a cold look, but waved his hand and walked away very quickly.
"I hope not," Kagome muttered under her breath. Inuyasha laughed.
"I take it you don't like him much.." he teased, as they resumed walking to class.
"Ya think?" she asked sarcastically. Inuyasha raised one eyebrow. Noticing Kagome quickly apologized. "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap. It's just he really gives me the creeps." Kagome gave an involuntary shudder.
"Don't worry. I'll protect ya from 'big bad Hojo'," Inuyasha grinned and gave her a playful punch in the arm. Kagome tried to scowl at him for mocking him, but she couldn't help but smile.
"Okay, but who's going to protect me from you?" she asked feigning innocence. She took off running before Inuyasha could digest what she had said.
"What? Me? Why you!" Inuyasha said in mock horror as he tore after her. It didn't take him long to catch her either. He threw his arms around her and hung over her shoulder, his cheek pressed firmly against hers. "Your not very good at running away," he whispered in her ear.
"Especially not when I want to get caught," she acknowledged coyly. Inuyasha swung her around so they were facing each other. They stood a second, oblivious to the stares they were getting. "Did you mean what you said? About protecting me from Hojo?" she finally asked quietly. Lifting her head with his finger he looked her dead in the eyes.
"Sure. I'll always be here Kagome," Inuyasha's words surprised him, but was even more shocking was that him meant them. Kagome's face broke into a wide grin.
"Thank you," she whispered as continued walking.
"No prob," he answered airily. Shyly Kagome slid her hand into his. Inuyasha's heartbeat raced.
What is she doing? He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her face was a little pink, but other than that completely calm. Aw, who really cares anyway? Was his last fleeting thought as the got to class.
-@--@-
"Perfect." A glowing pair of green eyes watched the touching scene.. "This is going better than I could have hoped." Reiana pulled away from her magic mirror, tossing a long red ponytail over her shoulder. "Hiten! Manten!"
"Yes Lady Reiana?" Hiten entered the darkened room. Manten stood just behind him.
"I want a status report."
"Well, we've kept al of the demos after the jewel at bay. Nothing will get through our defenses," Hiten stated.
"Excellent. Thing are going along very smoothly." Reiana returned to the mirror. "Phase two will begin soon."
"If I may be so bold my lady, why do we not just destroy the jewel? Would that not serve our purpose just as well?" Manten asked.
"And how would go about that Manten? Have you not noticed who Onigumo has sent for her preparation?" Reiana sat down on a large ornate throne.
"The only person I have seen is Inuyasha, my lady." Manten looked confused.
"Precisely. You wouldn't get within ten feet of the girl."
"Pardon me, but Inuyasha is a filthy hanyou. There is no way he could beat both Manten and myself," Hiten spoke up, instantly wishing that he had kept his mouth shut. He knew that Reiana, a hanyou herself, had taken on Inuyasha a number of times but had yet to really defeat him.
"Are you suggesting that you would like to take on Inuyasha by yourselves?" Reiana's eyes narrowed. This could work for her.
"Yes my lady," Hiten answered after silently confirming with Manten. Reiana smiled coolly at them both.
"Very well. You have my permission to attack Inuyasha, but the girl is not to be harmed. If you manage to beat Inuyasha, bring the girl here."
"As you wish my lady." Hiten and Manten gave a curt bow and left the lair. Reiana waited until she was alone to return once again to the mirror.
"I'm sorry Inuyasha, but this is the only way," Reiana murmured wickedly. "By the end of next week the stage will be set."
-@--@-
"He did what?" Sango bubbled excitedly.
"Just threw his arms around me. Oh Sango! I could have died!" Kagome gushed.
"Tell me what he said again!"
"Well, I asked him if he meant what he said about protecting me and he said 'I'll always be here'."
"Aww!" Sango squealed. Kagome had told her the story three times already. "So I get to be your maid of honor right?" she asked in all seriousness.
"Sango!"
"What? You were mine!"
"Not that! It's just we aren't even dating yet!"
"Close enough. Oh Kagome! You're so lucky. Inuyasha is sooo cute!"
-@--@-
What's happening to me? Inuyasha sat in a tree with a clear view of Kagome's window. She was on the phone, but he was to far away to hear her conversation. He didn't regret anything that had happened today or the night before, but it confused him all the same. He was a hardened killer. He didn't have emotions. Yet all of a sudden, in a matter of three weeks, his heart had been through more turns then he would have guessed possible.
I've never felt emotion for anyone before.. He sighed out loud.
"Is there something wrong?" a small voice interrupted Inuyasha's thoughts. Inuyasha started and gave Una a dark look.
"What did I say about sneaking up on me?"
"Sorry." Una suppressed a giggle. "I had a break today," she continued in an urgent tone.
"What?" Inuyasha pulled his attention away from Kagome and stared at the pixie.
"Have you ever heard of the Shikon Jewel?" she asked.
"Not that I can remember." Inuyasha frowned.
"Well I found that Kagome is directly connected to this Shikon Jewel. I'm not sure in what way, but it's a start."
"Why is this jewel so damn important?"
"I'm not completely sure. I know it's a demon jewel, but I'm not sure on it's exact uses."
"What about Ryoko?"
"As far as I can tell there is nothing to back up the presumption that she is a spy. She's been going about her work regularly." Una said in a defeated tone. "I'll try harder." Inuyasha gave her a small smile.
"It's okay Una, just keep up the good work," Inuyasha replied, taking back up his watch on Kagome. Una watched Inuyasha for a moment before her eyes grew wide. Feeling her gaze, Inuyasha turned back to Una. "What?" he asked more harshly than he had intended.
"Sorry!" Una squeaked. "It's just that.." she trailed off.
"Just what?" Inuyasha growled.
"Do you care for the girl?" she asked innocently after flying out of his reach.
"Of course not!" Inuyasha spluttered. He was a terrible liar.
"Didn't think so," Una said with a giggle.
-@--@-
lostdreams: And the plot thickens! Well maybe not, but at least it's finally reared its ugly head! ^_^Okay..on a side note: I needed two henchmen and Hiten and Manten came to mind. Their characters here aren't really anything like the anime/magna. Pretty much I'm just using their names and a little of their attitude. Hope you all enjoy! Please review!
lostdreams: Hello all! Did ya miss me? Anywho, here's chapter five. You finally get to meet the 'bad guys'. But before that, I received a question/review that I feel the need to explain.
celt: Really cool story, I can't wait to find out more. I don't want to get ahead of the story line but aren't Onigumo and Naraku the same. Well, I'm really enjoying your story.
Okay, technically yes, according to the anime/magna, but for the sake of this fic I'm going to say no. They are not the same person.
Hope that clears up some confusion and does not create more in the process. ^_^ Anyways..on with chapter five: Sparks, Spies, and Trepidation?
-@--@-
Inuyasha calmed down on his way back to his room. As good as it would have felt to beat up Hojo, he was glad Kenji stopped him. He didn't need his cover blown just yet.
Not that anything has even tried to come after Kagome yet, he thought irritably. He was getting restless. It had been over three weeks and there had been no sign of Reiana or any other kind of demon for that matter.
"Inuyasha.." Inuyasha spun around.
"Una! What are you doing sneaking up on me?" he asked with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Sorry," she apologized quickly. "I've found something out, but I don't know if it's of any importance."
"Tell me."
"Well, Mia told me that Ryoko made a strange phone call right after leaving the board room the day you got this assignment."
"What kind of strange phone call?"
"She called someone to apologize to them, as she did not get the Higurashi case." Inuyasha's face contorted in a scowl.
"Were those her exact words?" he asked, puzzled.
"According to Mia, yes."
"That would almost imply that she knew about the case before Onigumo did," Inuyasha looked at Una in disbelief.
"That's what I thought," Una said. Inuyasha continued to decipher the information that Una gave him.
If that's true, then it seems that we have a spy on our hands. He didn't necessarily want to believe it. Ryoko, a hawk youkai, was the one coworker he had that he tolerated well.
"Where's Ryoko now?"
"As far as I know she is still in Tokyo."
"Keep an eye on her, Una. I don't want to think about what could happen if she isn't really on our side." Ryoko could be wicked powerful if she was pushed.
"Of course. I'll also keep trying to find more out about this case."
"Thanks Una."
"Anytime."
"Oh and Una.." Inuyasha stopped the pixie in an after thought. "Be careful." If Ryoko really was working with their enemies the office wouldn't be a safe place, not to mention Onigumo wouldn't be overly thrilled to know Una was going through confidential files.
"Don't worry about me." With a smile the pixie disappeared. Inuyasha stood a second longer, still digesting the information. Disturbed by her words, he went for a run to clear his mind and try and makes some sense out of the situation.
-@--@-
"Kagome! Oi! Kagome! Wait up!" Kagome froze. She recognized that voice all to well. Keeping her head down she continued walking, pretending not to hear.
"Kagome?!" The voice sounded frustrated. Kagome heard footsteps hurry in her direction and then a hand on her shoulder. Wheeling around she came face to face with Hojo. Her insides cringed. Something about Hojo gave her the creeps.
"Hey Hojo," she said half-heartedly, brushing his hand off her shoulder. Scanning the swarm of students around them for any sort of distraction she spotted a certain white-haired someone headed in their direction.
"Inuyasha!" she called to him, waving her hand in the air, completely ignoring Hojo. Hojo face darkened at the sound of Inuyasha's name, but he didn't say anything. Noticing his expression, Kagome edged away from him, still waving at Inuyasha.
-@--@-
Inuyasha sighed inwardly. He hadn't gotten much sleep last night. He didn't know why, but Una's news had bothered him greatly. There was a feeling of dread in the air, which made him even more jumpy.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha started when someone near him called her name. Glancing around, Inuyasha saw Hojo chasing Kagome.
Bastard! Inuyasha started after him, but stopped when he noticed that Kagome was ignoring Hojo. Calming down a little, he decided to watch and see what happened first. She had quickened her pace at the sound of his voice, but Hojo ran to catch up with her anyway. Inuyasha felt a twinge of emotion seeing Hojo's hand rest on Kagome's shoulder longer than necessary. He felt better when he saw her brush Hojo's hand away.
Ha! I knew she wouldn't like him! Inuyasha thought as relief flooded through him. Wait a minute! Why should he care? It's not like HE liked Kagome. Sure they had become friends, but that didn't mean the he should care if she liked another guy.
"Inuyasha!" Relief was evident in Kagome's voice as she called him. Inuyasha smirked at the look on Hojo's face.
Ha! Take that! She's calling for me asshole! Inuyasha couldn't stop those thoughts from surfacing. Wow! Kagome looks really great today. Inuyasha couldn't help admiring Kagome. She was always poised and graceful. Except when she's falling down.. Allowing a small smile to grace his features, he pushed other thoughts out of his head as he reached Kagome.
"What's going on?" he asked, sounding very bored. Inuyasha could tell that Kagome was really happy he had shown up.
"Nothing much. Just on my way to history..you coming?" Kagome's cheeks were tinged pink.
"That would be why I'm here," he answered pointedly. Inuyasha became very aware that Kagome was sidling up next to him, away from Hojo.
It's almost like she's afraid of him.. Inuyasha thought in wonder. Don't worry Kagome, I'm here and Hojo is a complete wuss.
"Well Kag-" Hojo began but was instantly silenced by a withering look from Inuyasha.
"Yea Hojo?" Kagome had now but Inuyasha between Hojo and herself.
"Nevermind. See ya later." Hojo gave Inuyasha a cold look, but waved his hand and walked away very quickly.
"I hope not," Kagome muttered under her breath. Inuyasha laughed.
"I take it you don't like him much.." he teased, as they resumed walking to class.
"Ya think?" she asked sarcastically. Inuyasha raised one eyebrow. Noticing Kagome quickly apologized. "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap. It's just he really gives me the creeps." Kagome gave an involuntary shudder.
"Don't worry. I'll protect ya from 'big bad Hojo'," Inuyasha grinned and gave her a playful punch in the arm. Kagome tried to scowl at him for mocking him, but she couldn't help but smile.
"Okay, but who's going to protect me from you?" she asked feigning innocence. She took off running before Inuyasha could digest what she had said.
"What? Me? Why you!" Inuyasha said in mock horror as he tore after her. It didn't take him long to catch her either. He threw his arms around her and hung over her shoulder, his cheek pressed firmly against hers. "Your not very good at running away," he whispered in her ear.
"Especially not when I want to get caught," she acknowledged coyly. Inuyasha swung her around so they were facing each other. They stood a second, oblivious to the stares they were getting. "Did you mean what you said? About protecting me from Hojo?" she finally asked quietly. Lifting her head with his finger he looked her dead in the eyes.
"Sure. I'll always be here Kagome," Inuyasha's words surprised him, but was even more shocking was that him meant them. Kagome's face broke into a wide grin.
"Thank you," she whispered as continued walking.
"No prob," he answered airily. Shyly Kagome slid her hand into his. Inuyasha's heartbeat raced.
What is she doing? He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her face was a little pink, but other than that completely calm. Aw, who really cares anyway? Was his last fleeting thought as the got to class.
-@--@-
"Perfect." A glowing pair of green eyes watched the touching scene.. "This is going better than I could have hoped." Reiana pulled away from her magic mirror, tossing a long red ponytail over her shoulder. "Hiten! Manten!"
"Yes Lady Reiana?" Hiten entered the darkened room. Manten stood just behind him.
"I want a status report."
"Well, we've kept al of the demos after the jewel at bay. Nothing will get through our defenses," Hiten stated.
"Excellent. Thing are going along very smoothly." Reiana returned to the mirror. "Phase two will begin soon."
"If I may be so bold my lady, why do we not just destroy the jewel? Would that not serve our purpose just as well?" Manten asked.
"And how would go about that Manten? Have you not noticed who Onigumo has sent for her preparation?" Reiana sat down on a large ornate throne.
"The only person I have seen is Inuyasha, my lady." Manten looked confused.
"Precisely. You wouldn't get within ten feet of the girl."
"Pardon me, but Inuyasha is a filthy hanyou. There is no way he could beat both Manten and myself," Hiten spoke up, instantly wishing that he had kept his mouth shut. He knew that Reiana, a hanyou herself, had taken on Inuyasha a number of times but had yet to really defeat him.
"Are you suggesting that you would like to take on Inuyasha by yourselves?" Reiana's eyes narrowed. This could work for her.
"Yes my lady," Hiten answered after silently confirming with Manten. Reiana smiled coolly at them both.
"Very well. You have my permission to attack Inuyasha, but the girl is not to be harmed. If you manage to beat Inuyasha, bring the girl here."
"As you wish my lady." Hiten and Manten gave a curt bow and left the lair. Reiana waited until she was alone to return once again to the mirror.
"I'm sorry Inuyasha, but this is the only way," Reiana murmured wickedly. "By the end of next week the stage will be set."
-@--@-
"He did what?" Sango bubbled excitedly.
"Just threw his arms around me. Oh Sango! I could have died!" Kagome gushed.
"Tell me what he said again!"
"Well, I asked him if he meant what he said about protecting me and he said 'I'll always be here'."
"Aww!" Sango squealed. Kagome had told her the story three times already. "So I get to be your maid of honor right?" she asked in all seriousness.
"Sango!"
"What? You were mine!"
"Not that! It's just we aren't even dating yet!"
"Close enough. Oh Kagome! You're so lucky. Inuyasha is sooo cute!"
-@--@-
What's happening to me? Inuyasha sat in a tree with a clear view of Kagome's window. She was on the phone, but he was to far away to hear her conversation. He didn't regret anything that had happened today or the night before, but it confused him all the same. He was a hardened killer. He didn't have emotions. Yet all of a sudden, in a matter of three weeks, his heart had been through more turns then he would have guessed possible.
I've never felt emotion for anyone before.. He sighed out loud.
"Is there something wrong?" a small voice interrupted Inuyasha's thoughts. Inuyasha started and gave Una a dark look.
"What did I say about sneaking up on me?"
"Sorry." Una suppressed a giggle. "I had a break today," she continued in an urgent tone.
"What?" Inuyasha pulled his attention away from Kagome and stared at the pixie.
"Have you ever heard of the Shikon Jewel?" she asked.
"Not that I can remember." Inuyasha frowned.
"Well I found that Kagome is directly connected to this Shikon Jewel. I'm not sure in what way, but it's a start."
"Why is this jewel so damn important?"
"I'm not completely sure. I know it's a demon jewel, but I'm not sure on it's exact uses."
"What about Ryoko?"
"As far as I can tell there is nothing to back up the presumption that she is a spy. She's been going about her work regularly." Una said in a defeated tone. "I'll try harder." Inuyasha gave her a small smile.
"It's okay Una, just keep up the good work," Inuyasha replied, taking back up his watch on Kagome. Una watched Inuyasha for a moment before her eyes grew wide. Feeling her gaze, Inuyasha turned back to Una. "What?" he asked more harshly than he had intended.
"Sorry!" Una squeaked. "It's just that.." she trailed off.
"Just what?" Inuyasha growled.
"Do you care for the girl?" she asked innocently after flying out of his reach.
"Of course not!" Inuyasha spluttered. He was a terrible liar.
"Didn't think so," Una said with a giggle.
-@--@-
lostdreams: And the plot thickens! Well maybe not, but at least it's finally reared its ugly head! ^_^Okay..on a side note: I needed two henchmen and Hiten and Manten came to mind. Their characters here aren't really anything like the anime/magna. Pretty much I'm just using their names and a little of their attitude. Hope you all enjoy! Please review!