Disclaimer: No, I do not own anything related to Inuyasha. I just watch the anime. The characters of Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi

Chapter 4: The Boss

"Let me get this straight," stuttered Souta, "you want me to convince a demon, with lots of demons at his disposal, to help me wake up Kagome?" He could only stare in shock at Mika and Taro as they nodded.

"No worries, kid," replied Taro, "we already told you its Boss' job to keep the demons in line and protect humans. Helping Kagome is part of the job."

"Taro is right, Souta," affirmed Mika, "Boss is very nice once you get used to his weird sense of humor."

"Where are we going to meet your boss?" Souta asked.

"The Boss works out of an office building downtown," Taro explained. "Hop on, I can tell you some background on the way." Souta climbed onto Taro's back; they and Mika jumped out of Kagome's window and began running.

Taro began the recitation. "During the feudal ages of Japan, humans began to become more numerous. Humans with high levels of spiritual power, priestesses and monks, started being born in record numbers. Humans began hunting demons with better success. This led to demon populations dropping, and humans gained superiority. Back then, a huge council of all the important demons was convened, and it was decided that demons should try and live with humans. This way, the killings would stop."

Mika continued. "All the demons still alive formed a community called the Underground, a society where demons can live in peace. Now, humans do not know that it exists, they think demons are just myths. We like to keep it that way, less attention. Demons still live in the world, passing as human using spells and charms. But the Underground is a place where a demon can be a demon. I recommend that you do only what we say while we are there, its very dangerous."

Taro nodded at her suggestion. "Boss is the head of what you could consider the only police force in the Underground, called the Officers. His job is to keep demons in line so they are not exposed; he also has to deal with any humans that find the Underground. I think the last one had a memory spell put on her; she remembered portions of it though, sold a book about it, great fiction story."

Mika shrugged and continued. "Anyways, be very polite to the Boss, remember he is doing you a favor. He just got this promotion and it would look bad if a girl remained cursed under his watch. Just do as we say and you will be fine, here we are."

Souta looked around, expecting to see a grand hideout. "It's just an office building, and it's closed for the night. Are you sure we are in the right neighborhood?"

"Yes, kid, we know what we are doing." Taro snapped. "We spies have secret tunnels that lead to the real headquarters. The secret tunnels are always hidden in innocent places." Taro led Souta through an alley to the back of the building. Mika walked to the back door and pushed a brick by the ground. "It has been enchanted to respond to certain people, only Officers can get in," she explained.

Souta watched as the concrete ground of the alley fell down to form stairs leading under the building. "Let's go," Mika said; she led Souta down the stairs and through a complicated set of tunnels. Souta looked behind him and realized Taro was no longer with them. Mika noticed his confused expression and explained, "Taro went to report in, he had to tell the on-duty secretary that he and I are here, and that we brought a guest. I am going to bring you to the Boss." Souta nodded in acceptance.

They continued through the hallways before Mika stopped at a door labeled 'Control'. She explained, "This is the Boss' main conference room. He shouldn't be in a meeting, so we can go in." Mika knocked on the door and waited for an answer. Soon, a petite woman opened the door and ushered them in.

Souta followed Mika into the conference room. She took a seat at the wide table; Souta followed her example. They did not have very long to wait. Loud yelling filled the hallway, Souta recognized one of the voices as belonging to Taro but he assumed the other belonged to the Boss. The door to the conference room opened; Taro walked in followed by another man.

"That's Boss," whispered Mika, "he is Taro's father and they do not get along very well."

Souta looked closer at the two men, they both had bright red hair, but Boss seemed only a few years older. "But they look almost the same age, how is that possible?" Souta asked in shock.

"Demons age slower, after twenty human years demons age one year every hundred years and half-demons age one year every fifty years. Boss is actually a few centuries older than Taro."

Boss interrupted, "If you are done discussing us, I believe Taro said something about this human boy needing our services."

"Yes, sir, uh, Mr. Boss." Souta replied nervously. "My sister was cursed and is now in a coma. Mika and Taro said you might be able to help."

Boss raised an eyebrow at the name, "You must understand, kid, that we only randomly help members of the Underground. Your family hardly qualifies as that, however, a curse does fall in out jurisdiction. We would be able to help you, but you would need to adequately prove that you would never reveal anything about the Underground or us to humans."

"Boss," Mika interjected, "if he joined our ranks he would be a member, and any contract would be binding. We do have a few human members."

"Very well," conceded Boss. "Kid, do you agree to sign a contract, you would never be able to say anything to even your family?"

"Yes, sir, if it would save my sister." Souta agreed.

Boss waved his hand above the center of the table, a thick stack of papers appeared. "This is your contract, kid. It says you become a member of the Officers. This means no talking about Officers or Underground business with people not members, you have to do everything the current Boss says, Officers will always help you to the extent of our resources, and you get a nickname. I'm thinking you would make a good Mouse. Just sign your name and your nickname right here."

Souta looked at Mika's smile and Taro's nod. He took a deep breath and carefully wrote his name and the word Mouse.

Boss started clapping, "I love getting new members, makes me remember my first days as a new member. Now we can get to your problem since you have signed over you soul..."

"What?" interrupted Souta. "Give me that contract, you never mentioned that."

"Kidding, kid. Lighten up, nobody took your soul." Boss responded. "It was just a joke."

Souta glanced over at Mika and saw her mouthing the words 'Warned you'. "Sorry, Boss," he apologized, "I've been under a lot of stress lately."

"No worries," Boss waved his hand and the contract vanished. "Now then, Mouse, by the way, what is your real name?"

"Souta Higurashi, Boss."

The Boss froze, a look of terror on his face. "You mean your sister, Kagome, is in a coma?"

Taro was the one to respond. "Yes, Boss, that's why we thought you should know."

"Well that wasn't supposed to happen." Boss whispered.