Chapter 2: Meeting Mr. Rihojie
"Rihojie?" questioned Sango who was riding on the Kirara's back along with Miroku and Shippo.
They were soaring above the trees of the forest trying to find any trace of the man or Kagome, but they were yet to have any luck.
"I can't say that I've heard of that name before," said Miroku holding onto Sango's waist with his staff as they flew on, "But what would he want with Kagome I wonder?"
"I don't know but he seems to have strong powers if he can lift Kagome in the air like he did. He's going to be tough to beat if he has those kinds of abilities."
"I agree," replied Miroku searching the ground below them for signs of Kagome or the kidnapper, "It is amazing though that with one motion of the hand he could put Lady Kagome under a state of unconsciousness, and then to disappear into thin air? It's unreal."
"But then again we've come across things more unreal and bizarre than that," replied Sango turning her head to him, "I hope Kagome's alright."
"That man did seem to also know an awful lot about Kagome and Inuyasha to be a total stranger to them, how could he know all of those things?" asked Miroku a bit perturbed.
"Maybe he's been spying on us all this time and we didn't know it," butted in Shippo.
"I don't know, but whatever the reason it is odd and scary to know a complete stranger knows all about you and the woman you love," answered Sango peering down at the swiftly passing trees.
"Inuyasha's been acting strange ever since Kagome was taken last night," said Shippo who was clutching onto Sango's shoulder, "He must be very upset."
They all looked down and watched Inuyasha leap from tree to tree, roof top to roof top as he continued searching for Kagome on the ground and the others search by sky.
* * * * * *
"*Ugh* Where are you Kagome? Who was that guy and why did he take you away from me and how did he know so much about us? Whatever the reason, I'm gonna hunt him down and find you Kagome! Hang on!" thought Inuyasha as he traveled through the forest at a high speed.
They searched on finding no trace of the two until Inuyasha picked up Kagome's sent. He stopped suddenly coming to a halt and sniffed the air. Sango and the others noticed he stopped and landed by him to question.
"What is it Inuyasha? Have you sensed something?" asked Miroku.
"Yea, I can smell Kagome and she's not too far away," said Inuyasha gazing up into the tree tops and in the direction of the smell. Beyond the forest was an enormous hill, almost like a mountain, and atop the hill you could just barely make out a house.
"You mean there? The house ontop of the mountain?" asked Sango looking at the house which looked like a spot. (Okay, not that tiny cause they can tell it's a house..well…really it's a humongous mansion, castle place thingy but they don't know that yet cause it's too far away.)
"Yea, I'm guessin he took her there, that bastard," growled Inuyasha crossing his arms.
"Then we should head there immediately," added Miroku.
"I miss Kagome," whimpered Shippo looking sad.
"Don't worry Shippo, we'll find her," said Sango trying to cheer him up then glancing over at Inuyasha as if to try to reassure him as well.
"Right. We've got no time at lose!" exclaimed Inuyasha charging toward the hill.
"You lead Inuyasha and we'll follow," said Sango gripping onto Kirara and launching back into the sky.
* * * * * *
Kagome froze in her seat and stared up at the man before her. His mere presence sent a shrill up her spine. The maids seemed to be frightened of him and the whole room was silent.
"Mr. Ri..Rihojie!" exclaimed the short haired maid standing still and rigid, stunned by his entrance, "How are you this morning sir?"
Mr. Rihojie said nothing just glared at the three maids with no expression on his face.
"Is this the man they were talking about who saved me?" Kagome asked herself looking him over.
He did look a bit odd. Like herself, he was dressed in clothes from her time, a black business suit and red tie. His jet black hair was slicked back and he wore black shoes. This was getting too weird for Kagome, she had so many questions that needed answering but was afraid of the answers she might get.
"Mr. Rihojie, sir, we found the girl wandering the halls and decided to get her some food. I hope you don't mind, sir," stuttered the third maid picking up the food she had dropped and jumbling it in her hands then placing it back on the table.
The man glared over at Kagome who was sitting in the booth staring back. He stared into her eyes.
"His eyes are so dark and empty," thought Kagome leaning away from him in her seat and from his uneasy glare, "it's almost like they have no soul."
"Leave," he said simply standing like a statue in the same spot still staring at Kagome.
"Yes, sir," all three answered rushing past him and out the double doors.
The only ones left were Mr. Rihojie and Kagome, the man behind the counter had left once he walked in the door. This Rihojie guy definitely wasn't one to be reckoned with. He stood still for a few moments then stepped over to Kagome's booth, his eyes watching her as he did so. He stood directly in front of her and folded his hands together.
"Wandering the halls Miss. Higurashi? What a nosey girl you are," he said taking a seat in front of her.
"How does he know my name?" thought Kagome. She was getting more nervous and frightened by the second. Something about him was wrong to her and made her very uneasy.
"I thought the room I put you in was cozy enough but I guess you wanted to have a little look around," Mr. Rihojie put both arms on the table and folded his hands together.
"Wh..who are you?" Kagome managed to say, her voice quivering slightly.
"You still don't know who I am? Surely by now I thought you would have found out. I'm Mr. Rihojie, or rather professor Rihojie. Surely you know my face, or could you not make it out last night?"
"*Gasp*" Kagome clasped her mouth when it finally clicked, "He's the man who kidnapped me! He…he took my voice and took me from Inuyasha!"
"Now you know eh? Yes, I was the one who took you away last night, I took you away from your friends and that half demon…..Inuyasha was it? " he sneered at her and chuckled a bit, as if this was amusing.
"What do you want with me?" Kagome asked holding her hand to her chest.
"With you? Not too much really. I want what no one else can get, what gives you your powers, what keeps you alive….just your soul *Devilish laugh*."
"My…what?" asked Kagome unsure of what she thought he just said.
"Your soul. You see, with your soul, I can power my new invention. I've created a powerful orb that allows me to gain strength and immortality. It can prove to be quite prevailing if I obtain a few jewel shards which should be enough to power the orb for now. But what I really need is a pure, strong, young, and lifeful soul that can power it forever."
Kagome sweat dropped and clutched her hands together as he talked. What was he planning?
"Not only do I need a soul such as this but it must also be a soul with the sacred Shikon Jewel powers inside. It is terribly hard to find such a soul and you just happened to be the only one who posses it. You are a miko are you not? You are the reincarnation of the priestess Kikyo?"
"How did you know that?! How is it that you know everything about me?!" Kagome asked *sweat drop*.
"I have my resources," he said simply leaving it at that.
Kagome did not reply just sat in silence paralyzed with fear. Rihojie leaned back in his booth and crossed his arms staring at Kagome.
"Once I get your soul my orb will be powered to it's full extent and I will become immortal! No one will be able to stop me, I can over power them with one hand tied behind my back! Not even your precious Inuyasha can save you now."
"Your sick!" blurted Kagome. Despite all the fear inside she still had a bit of nerve left to say what she had to say.
"Inuyasha will find me and he will stop you!" she shouted at him.
"Oh I didn't say he wouldn't find you, I knew he'd come here sooner or later. I've been waiting for him. I'll be sure to give him a big surprise when he arrives you can count on that! Him and all your other pesky friends!"
"What are you going to do?" asked Kagome scared of what he might reply.
"You'll see soon enough," he said.
Mr. Rihojie got up from his seat and glared down at Kagome. He began to button his suit.
"I'd advise you to go back to your room if you know what's good for you. Don't go snooping around cause I guarantee you, even though you can't see me….I'll be watching."
And with that he turned and walked out of the doors.
"What do I do now? I've got to get out of here! Inuyasha help me please! Hurry and find me!"
