From Our Past
Chapter 2 The Assignment
Phone conversation
"Yeah I waited up for her." Kouga spoke softly to someone trying not to wake up Natai.
"About 1 a.m. but she didn't say anything about what happened just the 'same ol' was about it." "No I didn't sleep with her, sleep with her geesh. What do you think I am? I just slept under the covers to comfort her. She doesn't feel that way toward me." "Yeah I will call you if anything else happens but she is really starting to wear down. It won't be long before she goes back to him." About that time he could hear her call his name slugishly from the bedroom. "Gotta go she's awake." He whispered then hung up quickly. "Just getting some coffee be right there." He called back cheerfully.
End of Phone conversation
Kouga filled two cups and took them into the bedroom. She was already up and standing infront of the glass door that lead out to the balcony off her bedroom. His mouth dropped open as he stared at her body appreciatively. No matter what she thought she was absolutely beautiful. He still couldn't figure out what her problem was but she demanded that she was ugly. From his point of view she was definately crazy. At this moment she was more then desirable standing there in the sunlight with nothing more then her underware and bra. Her slender body was perfect in every way. Not to mention her long silky hair that flowed down her back and ended just below her bottom. Any man would love to be with her. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he put his 'friends only' smile back on and walked over to her.
"As you comand my lady fair." He smiled at her sweetly and handed her one cup.
She smiled back at him with dancing eyes. "Well you seem to be in a much better mood today. Care to tell me your secret?" He snickered and sipped his coffee.
"A girl never gives away her deepest secrets you should know that." She smirked and took a drink of her coffee too. Her eyes lit up at the taste. "Wow this is really good did you make it or order it in?"
"I make my own blend and grind it so cherrish it well you will never have such a good cup again." He laughed. "Really I had to go up to my place and get it. You don't keep much in the way of grocieries here. We need to go and remedy that sometime soon. What do you say?" He figured all women loved to shop but she only gave him a curious grin.
"I am not here enough to worry about it. If I want food I go get it at a restraunt. Besides I don't cook. Not anymore anyway." She frowned at the thought and looked away from his questioning eyes. He decided that perhaps this was not a subject to persue and went on to another.
"Well did you get another assignment or do you get a vacation?" He inquired setting his half full cup on the night stand next to the bed. He laid back and staired up at the ceiling counting the pok marks in the paint around the light.
"You know we can't talk about our assignments silly boy." She giggled and walked over to set by him on the bed. He looked at her and raised an eye brow.
"Oh I don't see any boys here my dear beauty." He swiftly took her cup from her and placed it on the night stand next to his. Quick as a wink of an eye he had her pinned on the bed with her hands over her head while straddling her body with his legs to hold her down. She looked up at him surprise in her clear blue eyes and her mouth open. "You'll get bugs in your mouth if you keep it like that." He chuckled at her experssion. Smirking she started to struggle a bit to get her arms free. He had to admit she was pretty slick about it. Just when he thought he had her pinned good she would get a hand or a leg loose and he would have to catch the apendage again. In a final desperate move he laid his full body weight on her to keep her body from moving as much and concentrated on arms.
Before he knew it both of her legs had slipped around his but he still had control of her wrists. With this close of contact he could feel her body move under him in a seductive manner rubbing her legs against his. He swallowed hard and looked into her enchanting eyes. She staired back at him with innocence he had only seen in children. One that clerified her nieveness. He moved his hips trying to find a way to remedy this position but stopped at her gasp and moan. She arched her back a bit rubbing him back causing a moan to escape his lips too. ' No! No! No!' he scolded himself mentally but couldn't tear his eyes away from hers. The desire was more then strong in them. She leaned up and kissed his neck gently sending shivers down his spine and making him moan again. She continued to caress the flesh of his neck with butterfly kisses and nibbles until she reached his ear.
By this time he had released his hold on her wrists and was responding to her carresses with his hands rubbing her back and legs. She smiled to herself feeling the excitement she was causing in him and even felt a bit guilty for it but this is what she desired. She sucked gently on his ear lobe then moved her nibbling down his jaw line to his lips. She drew him into one of the most passionate kisses he had ever experienced but in the back of his mind he was kicking himself. Fighting with all his might he pulled away before it was too late. He rested his head on her shoulder and sighed.
"Natai I...I can't. Kami knows I want to but...you know....we already talked...I...just can't. We have to stop." With that said he pushed off the bed and headed to the living room. She leaned on the door frame of her bedroom biting her bottom lip feeling guilty as she watched him put his shoes on. He glanced up for a moment and saw the disappointment in her eyes then walked over to her. He placed a cupped hand over her cheek and stroked it gently with his thumb as he stared into her blue eyes. Inside he could see the woman that wanted so desperately to break free but he was not the one to do that for her. "In all the time you were with him and he never made love to you. It is so hard to fathum. He is truely insane or a complete moron." He turned quickly and headed for the door but stopped just as his hand touched the knob. "I have to go to Europe for a week or so. When I get back we need to talk...you know... about this." He looked at her expectantly. She smiled slightly and nodded to reasure him. As soon as the door closed a tear she had been holding slid down her cheek. She didn't make an effort to remove it.
'Just great Natai. I am so stupid. Why would you even think he would want you? No one does accept Naraku.' She scolded herself as she walked back into her bedroom. Sighing she went to the dresser and picked out a pair of shorts and a tank to wear. She dug through her closet for her tennishoes but ended up finding them in the living room where she had apparently kicked them off the day before. Already irritated for the day she took in her surroundings. The apartment was unfeeling to say the least. No personal pictures or objects graced its walls. Dark and dreary it gave off the impression of dispare and loathing in her opinion. But then she never felt there was a need for anything of a sentamental meaning. Disgusted she pulled the bow tight on the last shoe then quickly stood and grabbed her watch off the kitchen counter. As a last thought she went back into the bedroom to get a tieback for her hair and a sweat band. She snagged her foot on her dicarded clothes that lay in a pile on the floor and kicked the folder that Naraku had given her the night before out from under her jacket.
Groaning she picked it up and looked inside. There she found her envelope that had her money in it and all the information about her next job. Uncaring she tossed the information on the bed for later and put the money in a safe in her closet. Checking her watch one more time she headed for the door but remembered to grab her keys so she wouldn't have to ask the manager to let her in again. He was a nice older gentleman but he always seemed to be put out if you had to ask for anything. Stopping long enough to be sure she had everything she would need for her little jog, she went over a mental list inside her mind (watch, keys, money for a drink at the cafe' and her CD player with her favorite running music) yep all set. As she exited the apartments she hit the timer on her watch and started to run down the road toward the park. Unknown to her someone was watching her from the roof as she left. His silver hair shined brilliantly in the morning rays. The ear phone seemed to bother his ear as he waited for her to get far enough ahead so he could follow with out being noticed.
Ear phone conversation
"Damn that is one nice looking woman. And you didn't take advantage of her offer. You are such a looser man."
"I'm a gentleman not a DOG like you. Besides the instructions were not to touch her. Only report in what she says or confesses to then bring her in when it is time. Besides you don't even know her. She is really a sweet..."
"I'll bet sweet as candy. She looks good enough to eat." snicker
"You are totally out of line. If you don't think I am attracked you are dead wrong. But I follow orders not like others I know. Hint...hint?"
"Yeah...yeah what ever. Anyway gotta go it is time to follow. I'll give a hollar when she turns back so you can get out of there. Be careful bud. She already killed the last guy watching her."
"You don't have to tell me but to be honest I don't think she would hurt me. We are pretty close. Catch you in a bit."
End of conversation
Natai ran her usual 5 miles before turning back. She glanced down at her watch to check her time and realized she was running late for her appointment with her team. She scolded herself for taking that extra time to chat with the two old gentleman who were playing chess but it was nice for them to compliment her knowledge of the game. She smiled feeling like maybe the day wouldn't be so bad if she hurried back and took some short cuts down some allies and across the park. Running almost full out she dashed through the very center of the huge park taking the paths that led down between dark bushes. Inuyasha was hard set to keep up with her. 'Shit! When she decided to run she could run.' He thought to himself when he lost her for a few seconds as he jumped from tree top to tree top far enough back so she wouldn't know he was there.
As she came around a corner in the sidewalk where the bushes had over grown too much she came to a halt. Blocking her way was three young men in leathers, earrings and funky hair styles. Definately punk gang regailia. Slowly she looked for another way around them as they stood up smiling at her. She really didn't have time for this. At this moment Inuyasha had lost sight of her and raced toward end of the foliage where the sidewalk came out but didn't see her on the other side.
"Damn it!"
"What? Don't tell me you lost her?"
"Ok I won't tell you."
"Shit! How?"
"Lost her in the heavy bushes of the park. I don't think she could have gotten this far yet or I would smell her. I'm going in to check. Don't come looking if you hear moaning." snicker
"You are such an ass."
"Always." Inuyasha chuckled to himself as he silently jumped from branch to branch along the path to find her. What he saw caught him off guard just as much as it had Natai. At first he thought about being the hero and jumping down to take care of the three thug wanna bees but then thought the better of it and decided to watch from a safe distance. One of the guys was brave enough to start smarting off to her and was getting down right disgusting. He watched her calm cool eyes as she gave them an incredible innocent look. He knew better she was sizing them up.
"Well boys, what do we have here?" The guy stood and flipped a pocked knife open as he grinned at Natai.
"Gentlemen, I am sorry but I have a very important meeting to attend and don't have time to play with you. Perhaps some other time." She smiled sweetly as she calmly began to walk closer to them. The one with the knife stepped infront of her as soon as she got close enough while the others took positions behind her. She never took her eyes off the one in front. "Really I am flattered but I don't have tim..."
"Oh but baby you have to make time for your new main man. Now come here and let me see the rest of that incredible body. After you have experienced what I got there isn't an appointment that will seem necessary." He grabbed his crotch with a rubbing action to emphasize what he ment. She raised an eyebrow amused at him but before he could take a step closer she spun and struck the two behind her with fingers straight and on target striking them both in the throat. They colapsed to the hard concrete unmoving. Flawlessly she turned back to him and used pressure points on him until he was a crumpled mess in the sidewalk.
"Mmmmm, oh baby that was...how should I say this... so exciting." She said sarcasticaly as she lifted his chin in her hand. "You are right it was an experience... For you!" She laughed as she took up her quick sprint again back to her apartment. Inuyasha sat in the tree with shock on his face. That was scarey very scarey.
"That was amazing! Damn!"
"What?"
Silence.
"Inuyasha?"
Silence.
"Bud are you ok?"
"Oh baby, Don't stop, groan do more, yes there, Oh yes! That's it again. Oh..."
"You are really disgusting."
Hysterical laughing from the other end.
"You know you want her giggle You gotta have her."
"So where is she?"
snicker snicker
"INUYASHA! WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?"
"Oh about the stairs to her apartment building. Why do you ask?"
"WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUSE? OH SHIT I HAVE HER CRAP ALL OVER THE BEDROOM."
More hysterical laughter then sniffing noises as Inuyasha tried to talk.
"Calm down bud. She is about four blocks away. You got about 15 minutes. She stopped to get some kind of drink at a little cafe' Your cool just get it cleaned up. You get so excited. You need a vacation or something so you can learn to relax."
"You're an asshole. Stop jerking around and tell me the truth where is she."
"And you make it too easy. I already told you about 15 minutes. Just hurry you will be ok." Inuyasha gigled more and more as he listened to Kouga rant and rave about what an ass he was. As soon as her apartment building came into view Inuyasha interupted him. "I know you want to make sure I know the procedures on how to use the earphone surveillance and you better be done cuz she is going up the stairs as I speak. As in GET YOU BUTT OUT OF THERE NOW!"
"Already in my apartment above. Next time you get to do the undercover shit and I get the surveillance. You suck."
"I wouldn't mind but the babes all fall for me so he took me off undercover. Come on you can deal with it. She doesn't seem that bad from the back anyway. That view is tantalizing." Inuyasha made a slurping noise with his tongue.
"Are you sure you ever had a girlfriend? You are so disgusting I can't imagine anything but a slut going out with you. Geesh. Oh hey I gotta go." Kouga put the earphone in his jacket pocket and grabbed his packed suitcase. He checked everything to make sure it was all locked up then walked out the door as quickly as possible. He took the side stairs to avoid passing near her apartment and loaded the bag into his '03' Mustang convertible. Natai stood in the shadows of the stairwell by the parking garage. She bit her lip thinking about what had happened that morning with Kouga. 'He will probably make excuses now not to come around. I am so stupid sometimes I don't know why I bother.' She thought to herself. 'Oh well nothing I can do about it now. Better get ready for that meeting.' She dashed up to her apartment for a much needed shower.
She sat on the side of her bed in a robe drying her hair and decided to look at the folder. 'It couldn't be that bad. The last was fairly easy and it only took three of them to get the job done.' She thought as she shook the contents out on the covers. Like usual there was a picture and a layout of the place where the man could be found. She found the files on her team members and spred them out with her free hand as she rubbed the towel on her damp hair. She stopped at one that was labeled 'Team Second' with shock.
"This fucking can't be happening. Shit!" She said with anger in her voice. "That damn bitch is trying to weasle in to my gigs. I won't stand for it. This is the last straw. It is time to get rid of her." She looked through the other photos quickly and smiled. 'No problem, they won't even care what I do.' A slender finger ran along the jawline of Lobo's picture knowing she had him wrapped around her fingers already. Maten would do what ever Hiten said and he just didn't care about no one. It would be easy to get rid of Kagura once and for all.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice Ms. Higurashi, you are the best investigator for this job." The gentleman with salt and perper hair said as he shook her hand and offered her a seat infront of his desk.
"I am happy to help if I can." Kagome said setting her breifcase on the floor next to her seat.
"We will provide you with living quarters and an assistant to help you get settled in. There is a private phone there for you to contact us here at the office and a computer set up at the house for your convenience."
"That will be good for a start and I don't mean to be abrupt or rude but it would help me to know what it is I am investigating." She smiled sweetly at him but was irritated inside. She had come a long way for this and needed rest as well as a bath.
"Yes, yes my appologies." He pressed the intercom to buzz his secretary. "Mrs. Ukima, would you have Ms. Tagonaga come in please. Tell her to bring the file with her." He smiled at Kagome and nodded to the air when she replied "right away sir".
"Ms. Tagonaga will be your assistant. She will do your errands and be your full time companion but I think it is very important for her to be here with the file so you can be briefed together." Just as he finished this explanation an attractive athletic looking woman a couple of years older then Kagome came into his office with a large file in her arms. "Ah.. Ms. Tagonaga please close the door and give the file to Ms. Higurashi then take a seat. Since you will be working together I think it will be more beneficial for you to hear this at the same time so the events will be recorded the same for both of you. Please save questions for after my explanation."
As he walked back around his desk he pressed a button on the keyboard of his computer and the blinds closed on his otherwise open office windows. With another tap a screen appeard behind his desk. "Ladies, you have heard of the story about the Miko Lady Moridico and the youkai Yani. You especially Ms. Higurashi." He looked at her expectantly.
"Well yes Mr. Heinz but please call me Kagome. It is not only a part of history but it is also a part of my own families heritage. May I ask what one of my ancestors has to do with this day and age?" She had opened the file but as soon as the lights went out it had become pointless to look in it.
"It was because of her that we picked you for this job." He tapped a key again and a portrait shot up on the screen. Kagome and Ms. Tagonaga both looked at it in amazement. It was a miko dressed in traditional robes of nobility from the period of the 1200s but she looked just like Kagome. Mr. Heinz smiled at their shocked faces. "Amazing resemblance isn't? This protrait was discovered in the catacombs under the emporer's palace just a few years ago. There was so much debate as to what she actually looked like that it has been kept hush hush to avoid any type of scandalous propaganda." He smiled proudly as if he were the owner.
"I assume you are saying that is a protrait of the Lady Miko Moridico?" Kagome asked sceptically.
"As a matter of fact it is of her. The most interesting thing is the signature of the artist." Mr Heinz tapped the keyboard and the photo zoomed in on the signature which read 'Your beauty as seen through my eyes, Yani'. "It is truely a historical treasure. Anyway back to business. It is because of your resemblence to your ancestor that you were choosen Kagome." Both women still looked at him confused. "Perhaps I am going a little too fast here. Let me start from history itself. It is a given part of history that the war was very real. There is too much evidence across the world to deny it to the general public. Most of humanity knows that when the humans made a treaty with the youkai to end the war it was so that both sides could live side by side comfortably with out danger of persecution or another war. What most don't know is that most demons look just like you or me with a few variations. They can hide their demonic features very effectively with magical means to appear completely human and mingle among us safely.
The 'High Lords' of the demonic community were given titles and lands to suit their current stations as well as continued rule over the demon community. At that time the treaty was held in high reguard by most of the demons but through out history there were a few that remained on the darker side of their nature and did become colorful parts of world history. But we are not here to discuss them. For the most part the High Lords and some of their subordinants acuired much wealth through out thier long lives. In todays society it would be safe to say that at least forty percent of the wealthiest people known to the world are probably demons in desguise. Don't think that the humans have been lax in keeping track of most of them. We have a vault of information that tells us just who and where each one is and what they have been doing up to today for the most part but alas some have slipped through our fingers. It is because of this longer life span that we choose you as our representative so to speak in this investigation. Your resemblence to the Lady Moridico may be recognized by some of the older demons and if something should happen they might be more accepting of the situtuation.
Many have very prosperous companies through out the world. What we have come across is that many of these companies have been merged into one, The Iyoutai Corporation. This high tech company is owned by this man," he clicked a button producing a photo of a man that looked in his late twenties with a slender face, long black hair, deep navy eyes and a hauntingly pale but flawless complextion, "Uramosh Iyoutai. Our sources tell us he is quite the recluse and doesn't like reporters. Yet he is one of the richest men in the world today."
"Alright but what is so unusual about companies merging?" Ms. Tagonaga asked.
"They are all companies that are known to be owned by youkai. But the most interesting part is that a few months after the merge the original owners have disapeared without a trace. Not only the rich are being targetted. Known youkai through out the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. They are now among the endangered species list across the world. A few were in custody for their protection but were lost. We feel it was because of these two men." He tapped the button again and this time two photos popped up. One had white hair but looked no older then his early twenties and playful violet eyes. The other had black hair that was pulled back into a small pony tail and dark navy eyes with a mischievious grin around the same age as the other. "We have photos of these two in the same area as some of the disapperances. We also have shots taken of them with Mr. Iyoutai. The most we have been able to find out is they are employed by him and are sent all over the world. But we don't have any concrete evidence so we can't bring them in for questioning.
With the power of your employers and your abilities we should be able to get that information and hang these guys before they kill off all the youkai left. Of course we could be wrong and their presence was business related only but the evidence doesn't look that way. Are you still willing to help us Kagome?" He tapped a button once again and the lights came on as the screen disappeared behind a moving wall. Kagome looked at him then back at the file on the desk infront of her.
"Let me read this over and I will let you know tomorrow." She smiled and picked up her breifcase. Quietly she slid the file inside then locked it before turning back to Mr. Heinz. "Tomorrow then?" She offered her hand for him to shake. He gave her a grin and accepted it gently then walked her and Ms. Tagonaga to the door. Kagome let Ms. Tagonaga go infront of her then turned to Mr. Heinz. "Oh by the way. Since all youkai are in danger I would suggest you take that little file clerk over there in the short black dress and short brown hair into custody." Kagome leaned in close to him and whispered. "She is youkai." And smiled back at him.
"As they said you are good. Amazing. I think if you read that information you will be willing to help us with your special abilities as I said. Thank you again for your time Kagome. I await your decission tomorrow.
A hand reached for the ringing phone absent mindedly. "Yes?" Said a calm voice.
"They just left with the folder."
"Good. Did she agree to help or was this a waist of time?" The voice asked sarcastically.
"She wanted to look at the information and let us know tomorrow. As far as a waist of time, I still have complete confidence that she will be able to find the missing lords. Your 'investment' will pay off." The voice on the line confirmed strongly.
"For your sake I hope so. I have put alot of money into getting that information for you. Call me when you hear anything." With that said the line went dead.
Chapter 2 The Assignment
Phone conversation
"Yeah I waited up for her." Kouga spoke softly to someone trying not to wake up Natai.
"About 1 a.m. but she didn't say anything about what happened just the 'same ol' was about it." "No I didn't sleep with her, sleep with her geesh. What do you think I am? I just slept under the covers to comfort her. She doesn't feel that way toward me." "Yeah I will call you if anything else happens but she is really starting to wear down. It won't be long before she goes back to him." About that time he could hear her call his name slugishly from the bedroom. "Gotta go she's awake." He whispered then hung up quickly. "Just getting some coffee be right there." He called back cheerfully.
End of Phone conversation
Kouga filled two cups and took them into the bedroom. She was already up and standing infront of the glass door that lead out to the balcony off her bedroom. His mouth dropped open as he stared at her body appreciatively. No matter what she thought she was absolutely beautiful. He still couldn't figure out what her problem was but she demanded that she was ugly. From his point of view she was definately crazy. At this moment she was more then desirable standing there in the sunlight with nothing more then her underware and bra. Her slender body was perfect in every way. Not to mention her long silky hair that flowed down her back and ended just below her bottom. Any man would love to be with her. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he put his 'friends only' smile back on and walked over to her.
"As you comand my lady fair." He smiled at her sweetly and handed her one cup.
She smiled back at him with dancing eyes. "Well you seem to be in a much better mood today. Care to tell me your secret?" He snickered and sipped his coffee.
"A girl never gives away her deepest secrets you should know that." She smirked and took a drink of her coffee too. Her eyes lit up at the taste. "Wow this is really good did you make it or order it in?"
"I make my own blend and grind it so cherrish it well you will never have such a good cup again." He laughed. "Really I had to go up to my place and get it. You don't keep much in the way of grocieries here. We need to go and remedy that sometime soon. What do you say?" He figured all women loved to shop but she only gave him a curious grin.
"I am not here enough to worry about it. If I want food I go get it at a restraunt. Besides I don't cook. Not anymore anyway." She frowned at the thought and looked away from his questioning eyes. He decided that perhaps this was not a subject to persue and went on to another.
"Well did you get another assignment or do you get a vacation?" He inquired setting his half full cup on the night stand next to the bed. He laid back and staired up at the ceiling counting the pok marks in the paint around the light.
"You know we can't talk about our assignments silly boy." She giggled and walked over to set by him on the bed. He looked at her and raised an eye brow.
"Oh I don't see any boys here my dear beauty." He swiftly took her cup from her and placed it on the night stand next to his. Quick as a wink of an eye he had her pinned on the bed with her hands over her head while straddling her body with his legs to hold her down. She looked up at him surprise in her clear blue eyes and her mouth open. "You'll get bugs in your mouth if you keep it like that." He chuckled at her experssion. Smirking she started to struggle a bit to get her arms free. He had to admit she was pretty slick about it. Just when he thought he had her pinned good she would get a hand or a leg loose and he would have to catch the apendage again. In a final desperate move he laid his full body weight on her to keep her body from moving as much and concentrated on arms.
Before he knew it both of her legs had slipped around his but he still had control of her wrists. With this close of contact he could feel her body move under him in a seductive manner rubbing her legs against his. He swallowed hard and looked into her enchanting eyes. She staired back at him with innocence he had only seen in children. One that clerified her nieveness. He moved his hips trying to find a way to remedy this position but stopped at her gasp and moan. She arched her back a bit rubbing him back causing a moan to escape his lips too. ' No! No! No!' he scolded himself mentally but couldn't tear his eyes away from hers. The desire was more then strong in them. She leaned up and kissed his neck gently sending shivers down his spine and making him moan again. She continued to caress the flesh of his neck with butterfly kisses and nibbles until she reached his ear.
By this time he had released his hold on her wrists and was responding to her carresses with his hands rubbing her back and legs. She smiled to herself feeling the excitement she was causing in him and even felt a bit guilty for it but this is what she desired. She sucked gently on his ear lobe then moved her nibbling down his jaw line to his lips. She drew him into one of the most passionate kisses he had ever experienced but in the back of his mind he was kicking himself. Fighting with all his might he pulled away before it was too late. He rested his head on her shoulder and sighed.
"Natai I...I can't. Kami knows I want to but...you know....we already talked...I...just can't. We have to stop." With that said he pushed off the bed and headed to the living room. She leaned on the door frame of her bedroom biting her bottom lip feeling guilty as she watched him put his shoes on. He glanced up for a moment and saw the disappointment in her eyes then walked over to her. He placed a cupped hand over her cheek and stroked it gently with his thumb as he stared into her blue eyes. Inside he could see the woman that wanted so desperately to break free but he was not the one to do that for her. "In all the time you were with him and he never made love to you. It is so hard to fathum. He is truely insane or a complete moron." He turned quickly and headed for the door but stopped just as his hand touched the knob. "I have to go to Europe for a week or so. When I get back we need to talk...you know... about this." He looked at her expectantly. She smiled slightly and nodded to reasure him. As soon as the door closed a tear she had been holding slid down her cheek. She didn't make an effort to remove it.
'Just great Natai. I am so stupid. Why would you even think he would want you? No one does accept Naraku.' She scolded herself as she walked back into her bedroom. Sighing she went to the dresser and picked out a pair of shorts and a tank to wear. She dug through her closet for her tennishoes but ended up finding them in the living room where she had apparently kicked them off the day before. Already irritated for the day she took in her surroundings. The apartment was unfeeling to say the least. No personal pictures or objects graced its walls. Dark and dreary it gave off the impression of dispare and loathing in her opinion. But then she never felt there was a need for anything of a sentamental meaning. Disgusted she pulled the bow tight on the last shoe then quickly stood and grabbed her watch off the kitchen counter. As a last thought she went back into the bedroom to get a tieback for her hair and a sweat band. She snagged her foot on her dicarded clothes that lay in a pile on the floor and kicked the folder that Naraku had given her the night before out from under her jacket.
Groaning she picked it up and looked inside. There she found her envelope that had her money in it and all the information about her next job. Uncaring she tossed the information on the bed for later and put the money in a safe in her closet. Checking her watch one more time she headed for the door but remembered to grab her keys so she wouldn't have to ask the manager to let her in again. He was a nice older gentleman but he always seemed to be put out if you had to ask for anything. Stopping long enough to be sure she had everything she would need for her little jog, she went over a mental list inside her mind (watch, keys, money for a drink at the cafe' and her CD player with her favorite running music) yep all set. As she exited the apartments she hit the timer on her watch and started to run down the road toward the park. Unknown to her someone was watching her from the roof as she left. His silver hair shined brilliantly in the morning rays. The ear phone seemed to bother his ear as he waited for her to get far enough ahead so he could follow with out being noticed.
Ear phone conversation
"Damn that is one nice looking woman. And you didn't take advantage of her offer. You are such a looser man."
"I'm a gentleman not a DOG like you. Besides the instructions were not to touch her. Only report in what she says or confesses to then bring her in when it is time. Besides you don't even know her. She is really a sweet..."
"I'll bet sweet as candy. She looks good enough to eat." snicker
"You are totally out of line. If you don't think I am attracked you are dead wrong. But I follow orders not like others I know. Hint...hint?"
"Yeah...yeah what ever. Anyway gotta go it is time to follow. I'll give a hollar when she turns back so you can get out of there. Be careful bud. She already killed the last guy watching her."
"You don't have to tell me but to be honest I don't think she would hurt me. We are pretty close. Catch you in a bit."
End of conversation
Natai ran her usual 5 miles before turning back. She glanced down at her watch to check her time and realized she was running late for her appointment with her team. She scolded herself for taking that extra time to chat with the two old gentleman who were playing chess but it was nice for them to compliment her knowledge of the game. She smiled feeling like maybe the day wouldn't be so bad if she hurried back and took some short cuts down some allies and across the park. Running almost full out she dashed through the very center of the huge park taking the paths that led down between dark bushes. Inuyasha was hard set to keep up with her. 'Shit! When she decided to run she could run.' He thought to himself when he lost her for a few seconds as he jumped from tree top to tree top far enough back so she wouldn't know he was there.
As she came around a corner in the sidewalk where the bushes had over grown too much she came to a halt. Blocking her way was three young men in leathers, earrings and funky hair styles. Definately punk gang regailia. Slowly she looked for another way around them as they stood up smiling at her. She really didn't have time for this. At this moment Inuyasha had lost sight of her and raced toward end of the foliage where the sidewalk came out but didn't see her on the other side.
"Damn it!"
"What? Don't tell me you lost her?"
"Ok I won't tell you."
"Shit! How?"
"Lost her in the heavy bushes of the park. I don't think she could have gotten this far yet or I would smell her. I'm going in to check. Don't come looking if you hear moaning." snicker
"You are such an ass."
"Always." Inuyasha chuckled to himself as he silently jumped from branch to branch along the path to find her. What he saw caught him off guard just as much as it had Natai. At first he thought about being the hero and jumping down to take care of the three thug wanna bees but then thought the better of it and decided to watch from a safe distance. One of the guys was brave enough to start smarting off to her and was getting down right disgusting. He watched her calm cool eyes as she gave them an incredible innocent look. He knew better she was sizing them up.
"Well boys, what do we have here?" The guy stood and flipped a pocked knife open as he grinned at Natai.
"Gentlemen, I am sorry but I have a very important meeting to attend and don't have time to play with you. Perhaps some other time." She smiled sweetly as she calmly began to walk closer to them. The one with the knife stepped infront of her as soon as she got close enough while the others took positions behind her. She never took her eyes off the one in front. "Really I am flattered but I don't have tim..."
"Oh but baby you have to make time for your new main man. Now come here and let me see the rest of that incredible body. After you have experienced what I got there isn't an appointment that will seem necessary." He grabbed his crotch with a rubbing action to emphasize what he ment. She raised an eyebrow amused at him but before he could take a step closer she spun and struck the two behind her with fingers straight and on target striking them both in the throat. They colapsed to the hard concrete unmoving. Flawlessly she turned back to him and used pressure points on him until he was a crumpled mess in the sidewalk.
"Mmmmm, oh baby that was...how should I say this... so exciting." She said sarcasticaly as she lifted his chin in her hand. "You are right it was an experience... For you!" She laughed as she took up her quick sprint again back to her apartment. Inuyasha sat in the tree with shock on his face. That was scarey very scarey.
"That was amazing! Damn!"
"What?"
Silence.
"Inuyasha?"
Silence.
"Bud are you ok?"
"Oh baby, Don't stop, groan do more, yes there, Oh yes! That's it again. Oh..."
"You are really disgusting."
Hysterical laughing from the other end.
"You know you want her giggle You gotta have her."
"So where is she?"
snicker snicker
"INUYASHA! WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?"
"Oh about the stairs to her apartment building. Why do you ask?"
"WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUSE? OH SHIT I HAVE HER CRAP ALL OVER THE BEDROOM."
More hysterical laughter then sniffing noises as Inuyasha tried to talk.
"Calm down bud. She is about four blocks away. You got about 15 minutes. She stopped to get some kind of drink at a little cafe' Your cool just get it cleaned up. You get so excited. You need a vacation or something so you can learn to relax."
"You're an asshole. Stop jerking around and tell me the truth where is she."
"And you make it too easy. I already told you about 15 minutes. Just hurry you will be ok." Inuyasha gigled more and more as he listened to Kouga rant and rave about what an ass he was. As soon as her apartment building came into view Inuyasha interupted him. "I know you want to make sure I know the procedures on how to use the earphone surveillance and you better be done cuz she is going up the stairs as I speak. As in GET YOU BUTT OUT OF THERE NOW!"
"Already in my apartment above. Next time you get to do the undercover shit and I get the surveillance. You suck."
"I wouldn't mind but the babes all fall for me so he took me off undercover. Come on you can deal with it. She doesn't seem that bad from the back anyway. That view is tantalizing." Inuyasha made a slurping noise with his tongue.
"Are you sure you ever had a girlfriend? You are so disgusting I can't imagine anything but a slut going out with you. Geesh. Oh hey I gotta go." Kouga put the earphone in his jacket pocket and grabbed his packed suitcase. He checked everything to make sure it was all locked up then walked out the door as quickly as possible. He took the side stairs to avoid passing near her apartment and loaded the bag into his '03' Mustang convertible. Natai stood in the shadows of the stairwell by the parking garage. She bit her lip thinking about what had happened that morning with Kouga. 'He will probably make excuses now not to come around. I am so stupid sometimes I don't know why I bother.' She thought to herself. 'Oh well nothing I can do about it now. Better get ready for that meeting.' She dashed up to her apartment for a much needed shower.
She sat on the side of her bed in a robe drying her hair and decided to look at the folder. 'It couldn't be that bad. The last was fairly easy and it only took three of them to get the job done.' She thought as she shook the contents out on the covers. Like usual there was a picture and a layout of the place where the man could be found. She found the files on her team members and spred them out with her free hand as she rubbed the towel on her damp hair. She stopped at one that was labeled 'Team Second' with shock.
"This fucking can't be happening. Shit!" She said with anger in her voice. "That damn bitch is trying to weasle in to my gigs. I won't stand for it. This is the last straw. It is time to get rid of her." She looked through the other photos quickly and smiled. 'No problem, they won't even care what I do.' A slender finger ran along the jawline of Lobo's picture knowing she had him wrapped around her fingers already. Maten would do what ever Hiten said and he just didn't care about no one. It would be easy to get rid of Kagura once and for all.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice Ms. Higurashi, you are the best investigator for this job." The gentleman with salt and perper hair said as he shook her hand and offered her a seat infront of his desk.
"I am happy to help if I can." Kagome said setting her breifcase on the floor next to her seat.
"We will provide you with living quarters and an assistant to help you get settled in. There is a private phone there for you to contact us here at the office and a computer set up at the house for your convenience."
"That will be good for a start and I don't mean to be abrupt or rude but it would help me to know what it is I am investigating." She smiled sweetly at him but was irritated inside. She had come a long way for this and needed rest as well as a bath.
"Yes, yes my appologies." He pressed the intercom to buzz his secretary. "Mrs. Ukima, would you have Ms. Tagonaga come in please. Tell her to bring the file with her." He smiled at Kagome and nodded to the air when she replied "right away sir".
"Ms. Tagonaga will be your assistant. She will do your errands and be your full time companion but I think it is very important for her to be here with the file so you can be briefed together." Just as he finished this explanation an attractive athletic looking woman a couple of years older then Kagome came into his office with a large file in her arms. "Ah.. Ms. Tagonaga please close the door and give the file to Ms. Higurashi then take a seat. Since you will be working together I think it will be more beneficial for you to hear this at the same time so the events will be recorded the same for both of you. Please save questions for after my explanation."
As he walked back around his desk he pressed a button on the keyboard of his computer and the blinds closed on his otherwise open office windows. With another tap a screen appeard behind his desk. "Ladies, you have heard of the story about the Miko Lady Moridico and the youkai Yani. You especially Ms. Higurashi." He looked at her expectantly.
"Well yes Mr. Heinz but please call me Kagome. It is not only a part of history but it is also a part of my own families heritage. May I ask what one of my ancestors has to do with this day and age?" She had opened the file but as soon as the lights went out it had become pointless to look in it.
"It was because of her that we picked you for this job." He tapped a key again and a portrait shot up on the screen. Kagome and Ms. Tagonaga both looked at it in amazement. It was a miko dressed in traditional robes of nobility from the period of the 1200s but she looked just like Kagome. Mr. Heinz smiled at their shocked faces. "Amazing resemblance isn't? This protrait was discovered in the catacombs under the emporer's palace just a few years ago. There was so much debate as to what she actually looked like that it has been kept hush hush to avoid any type of scandalous propaganda." He smiled proudly as if he were the owner.
"I assume you are saying that is a protrait of the Lady Miko Moridico?" Kagome asked sceptically.
"As a matter of fact it is of her. The most interesting thing is the signature of the artist." Mr Heinz tapped the keyboard and the photo zoomed in on the signature which read 'Your beauty as seen through my eyes, Yani'. "It is truely a historical treasure. Anyway back to business. It is because of your resemblence to your ancestor that you were choosen Kagome." Both women still looked at him confused. "Perhaps I am going a little too fast here. Let me start from history itself. It is a given part of history that the war was very real. There is too much evidence across the world to deny it to the general public. Most of humanity knows that when the humans made a treaty with the youkai to end the war it was so that both sides could live side by side comfortably with out danger of persecution or another war. What most don't know is that most demons look just like you or me with a few variations. They can hide their demonic features very effectively with magical means to appear completely human and mingle among us safely.
The 'High Lords' of the demonic community were given titles and lands to suit their current stations as well as continued rule over the demon community. At that time the treaty was held in high reguard by most of the demons but through out history there were a few that remained on the darker side of their nature and did become colorful parts of world history. But we are not here to discuss them. For the most part the High Lords and some of their subordinants acuired much wealth through out thier long lives. In todays society it would be safe to say that at least forty percent of the wealthiest people known to the world are probably demons in desguise. Don't think that the humans have been lax in keeping track of most of them. We have a vault of information that tells us just who and where each one is and what they have been doing up to today for the most part but alas some have slipped through our fingers. It is because of this longer life span that we choose you as our representative so to speak in this investigation. Your resemblence to the Lady Moridico may be recognized by some of the older demons and if something should happen they might be more accepting of the situtuation.
Many have very prosperous companies through out the world. What we have come across is that many of these companies have been merged into one, The Iyoutai Corporation. This high tech company is owned by this man," he clicked a button producing a photo of a man that looked in his late twenties with a slender face, long black hair, deep navy eyes and a hauntingly pale but flawless complextion, "Uramosh Iyoutai. Our sources tell us he is quite the recluse and doesn't like reporters. Yet he is one of the richest men in the world today."
"Alright but what is so unusual about companies merging?" Ms. Tagonaga asked.
"They are all companies that are known to be owned by youkai. But the most interesting part is that a few months after the merge the original owners have disapeared without a trace. Not only the rich are being targetted. Known youkai through out the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. They are now among the endangered species list across the world. A few were in custody for their protection but were lost. We feel it was because of these two men." He tapped the button again and this time two photos popped up. One had white hair but looked no older then his early twenties and playful violet eyes. The other had black hair that was pulled back into a small pony tail and dark navy eyes with a mischievious grin around the same age as the other. "We have photos of these two in the same area as some of the disapperances. We also have shots taken of them with Mr. Iyoutai. The most we have been able to find out is they are employed by him and are sent all over the world. But we don't have any concrete evidence so we can't bring them in for questioning.
With the power of your employers and your abilities we should be able to get that information and hang these guys before they kill off all the youkai left. Of course we could be wrong and their presence was business related only but the evidence doesn't look that way. Are you still willing to help us Kagome?" He tapped a button once again and the lights came on as the screen disappeared behind a moving wall. Kagome looked at him then back at the file on the desk infront of her.
"Let me read this over and I will let you know tomorrow." She smiled and picked up her breifcase. Quietly she slid the file inside then locked it before turning back to Mr. Heinz. "Tomorrow then?" She offered her hand for him to shake. He gave her a grin and accepted it gently then walked her and Ms. Tagonaga to the door. Kagome let Ms. Tagonaga go infront of her then turned to Mr. Heinz. "Oh by the way. Since all youkai are in danger I would suggest you take that little file clerk over there in the short black dress and short brown hair into custody." Kagome leaned in close to him and whispered. "She is youkai." And smiled back at him.
"As they said you are good. Amazing. I think if you read that information you will be willing to help us with your special abilities as I said. Thank you again for your time Kagome. I await your decission tomorrow.
A hand reached for the ringing phone absent mindedly. "Yes?" Said a calm voice.
"They just left with the folder."
"Good. Did she agree to help or was this a waist of time?" The voice asked sarcastically.
"She wanted to look at the information and let us know tomorrow. As far as a waist of time, I still have complete confidence that she will be able to find the missing lords. Your 'investment' will pay off." The voice on the line confirmed strongly.
"For your sake I hope so. I have put alot of money into getting that information for you. Call me when you hear anything." With that said the line went dead.