Chapter 07
Sango's Guilt
[Scene: clattering and commotion is heard; complete darkness.]
Inu-Yasha's voice: Do I have to do this?
Kagome: Come on, Inu-Yasha, It'll be fun, and Kotaku needs this for his project
Inu-Yasha: Fine..fine...this is stupid though
[The lights fade in. A little arena is set up in the kitchen... a fairly large one. Seems similar to a "Pokemon Arena"]
Inuko: Hello and Welcome to Kitchen Stadium, where if you can't take the heat… get out of the kitchen
Kita: Well, that was cheesy.
Inuko: Hey, short notice, but that's the best I could come up with!
Kita: Anyway, right here we have an iron chef battle royale right here folks!
[Kotaku is seen holding the video camera steady.]
Inuko: Thats right… to our left we have Iron Chef Italian Sango Komori! [Sango waves holding a pot.]
Kita: Thats right, Sango has been in the kitchen cooking for her family since she was young! Since moving here, she has had more time to perfect herself in the culinary arts and found her specialty in Italian cooking and cuisine. She may have a gentle look about her but don't mess with her folks, she will steam, mince, dice, and chop her way to victory, taking no survivors!
Inuko: [Blinking.] That was pretty good...
Kita: I know!
Inuko: And over on the right is my poor da-..I mean, Iron Chef Japanese Inu-Yasha Higurashi. He hasn't been cooking very long, but he knows what he likes and knows that his hunger for good food is gunna lead him to victory!
Inu-Yasha: [Fuming] What type of introduction is THAT Inuko?!?
Inuko: Oh yeah, and he's kinda good at cooking fish.
Inu-Yasha: [Sweatdrops] Whose son are you anyway?
Kita: Yeah..anyway, its time for the theme ingredient to be unveiled.
[Dead silence, eyes look around for something to happen, but nothing.]
Kita: Dad!!
Miroku: Oh! Sorry! [He seems to have spaced off for a moment, holding the silver platter with a lid on it.]
Inuko: And Chairman Miroku is about to... unveil the theme ingredient!
Miroku: Fine, but I am NOT biting any hot peppers!
Kita: I would have made you, but I couldn't afford any peppers.
Inu-Yasha: Just show the damn ingredient!!
[Miroku, with the silver platter, pulls off the top. It's contents seem to be salmon.]
Kita: … and it looks like the theme ingredient may just be to Iron Chef Japanese's liking …
[Inu-Yasha sweatdrops once again. The two begin preparing their respective salmons.]
Inuko: Alright… and they're off!
Kita: We hope.
[Scene: Elsewhere in the city, seemingly undisclosed office building, Natsuko is reading a paper when another woman, blonde, puts her arms around her shoulder.]
Woman: Hello little sister …
Natsuko: [She jumps, then glares at the Woman.] What?? What What What?!?
Woman: [Laughing at her reaction.] Great job spooking those demons, just as Mistress ordered. But have you started on giving Mistress her temporary power source?
Natsuko: Temporary?
Woman: You little fool, do I have to do -everything- for you? [The woman snaps her fingers and brings about a small orb, that has a faint aura about it. She shoves it into Natsuko's hand.] The shadow beasts, you fool, you didn't order them to withdraw from their victims?
Natsuko: I did exactly what I was ordered and I'm sick of you two bossing me arou- [Her speech was interrupted by her sister's claw going to her throat.]
Woman: I wouldn't be worried about what I will do, but rather what Mistress will do if you fail! [She scratches Natsuko along her neck and shoulder.]
Natsuko: [She grabs her shoulder in annoyance.] Just get lost!
Woman: Hm… [Walks away from her.]
Natsuko: [She stares at the orb, thinking to herself.] Perhaps I should give you a dry run first, before going about the whole city...
-----
[Scene: Family room, watching the flat-screen TV. Kotaku is watching his tape, laughing, while Inu-Yasha growls at the thought of the whole thing.]
(Insert TV screen scene here)
Inu-Yasha: Where in the heck is Lee with that information we need?
Kagome: She's in her office trying to work on it now, there is nothing we can do until she decodes that.
Inu-Yasha: … and just stand here, waiting to get attacked? We're sitting ducks, Kagome, and you know it!
Lee: [She comes up behind Inu-Yasha, grabbing his shoulders.] ...and your brother has yet to call me with what he knows?
Inu-Yasha: [He jumps and gives a stare at Lee.] Will you stop doing that?
Lee: Hmm …
Inu-Yasha: Sesshomaru huh? And just how is he going to help? [Crosses his arms.] We'll if he does know anything, I'll pound it out of him
Kagome: Do you really think Sesshomaru can help us?
Lee: Yes, I think he can.
Kagome: Alright... Inu-Yasha, I expect you not to mess things up.
Inu-Yasha: [He narrows his eyes.] I'm going to pretend you didn't say that.
Kotaku: Hey, you guys wanna watch this again?
Inu-Yasha: No. [Inu-Yasha seems to have said that as stoicism as possible.]
Kotaku: Aww.
Kagome: Maybe later Kotaku, why don't you go off and show it to Shippou? [Kotaku nods and leaves, sticking out tounge at Inu-Yasha.]
Inu-Yasha: I want to burn that tape!
Kagome: Inu-Yasha...
Inu-Yasha: Feh.
[Sango walks in, with look of disgust.]
Sango: Have either of you seen Kita? She needs to clean her room; it's an absolute disaster area.
Kagome: No, have you Inu-Yasha?
Inu-Yasha: Nope, haven't seen her. You know she only comes out to steal my stuff and to humiliate me!
Kagome: [Mumbles to herself.] Well maybe she wouldn't if you didn't make it so easy
Sango: [She steps in between them.] No… no... not this time! I have a headache and I really don't want to listen to you two argue … … again.
Kagome: I have work to do anyway [She walks off with a bit of an attitude.]
Inu-Yasha: Work. Yeah right?
Kagome: Like you even know what a job is.
Inu-Yasha: Yeah protecting your ass all the damn time. [Inu-Yasha shoots evil glare at Kagome.]
Sango: [She leads Inu-Yasha away.] not now... not now…
[Scene: Lee is sitting quietly in her bedroom, trying to get some work done. She is constantly distracted by all the noise downstairs, and it is really beginning to get to her. She holds her head in frustration.]
Lee: Do those people ever shut up? [She looks to the corner of her room, where Shippou is -trying- to get a nap.] You too, huh? [She tries not to laugh at Shippou, all curled up on those bean bags.] And to think you are almost as old as I am. [She leans against her pillow and looks up at the ceiling.] If I could get some piece and quiet maybe I could crack that code without waiting for Sesshomaru.
[Instantly, the lamp beside her bed shatters. Shippou jumps up and looks around, but Lee remains calm.]
Shippou: What happened?!? [He looked at the lamp.]
Lee: [Stays silent for a moment.] I have a feeling the local residents don't care for me much... Shippou, try resting in Kagome's room for now, while I clean up this mess. [Shippou nods and leaves.]
Lee: It's such a shame … I don't care what they think.
Shippou: [He pauses just in time to hear Lee's last statement.] Is that woman scared of anything? [Keeps walking off.]
Lee: [She sighs and gets up herself, gathering her things and heading towards the door, she looks at her watch.] Yep, now is about the time where Shane should be… conscious. Better go pick him up from that party. [She grumbles to herself] I'm sick of him just taking off all hours of the day to get drunk with his friends, I have enough to deal with as it is.
---
[A woman is seen walking in the Norview area. She is talking to her child, who is smiling and grabs her shirt to be picked up. She picks him up and walks on when she pauses. The shadow behind her seems to disappear and her eyes lose their pupils... she falls to her knees and the on the ground. Her child watches in horror.]
-----
Kagome: [She is getting ready to leave for work, seen putting her bag in her car and slips into the drivers seat and leaves the driveway. As she goes down the road, something comes to mind and she calls Sango.]
[The phone rings back at the house and Sango picks it up.]
Sango: Hello?
Kagome: Sango, I totally forgot you were working today as well. I just wanted to see who would be around to watch the kids today?
Sango: Oh it's no problem I'll make sure I'm around.
Kagome: Great. Can you tell Kita to make sure she cleans up the den? She left it a mess this morning.
Sango: Sure [She calls out.] Kita! Kagome wants you to clean up the den!
[However, there was no reply]
Sango: Oh well, I'll find her and tell her. You have a good day, Kagome.
Kagome: You too.
[Sango starts searching the house. Of course, she starts at the messy study room. She steps over multiple stacks of paper like it was normal. Of course, the mess in this room is to the point where no one bothers to clean it. Sango sees Inu-Yasha staring blankly at the computer screen, wearing headphones.]
Sango: Inu-Yasha have you seen Kita?
[There was no response.]
Sango: [She speaks in an annoyed tone.] Have you seen Shaquita?
[Still no response from Inu-Yasha.]
Sango: [Very annoyed, she screams at him, breaking down syllables.] HAVE … YOU … SEEN …. SHA-QUI-TA?!
[When still there is no answer, Sango walks over there and pulls his headphones off. Just then, she notices what was on the screen. It was a figure of a dancing... bean... thing, but more of a banana shape, dancing all over the screen. She puts the headphones to her ears.]
Headphones: Its peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time!
Sango: Right…. [She shakes her head just as Inu-Yasha snatches the headphones back.]
Inu-Yasha: Do you mind? I'm watching something very important!
Sango: [She smacks Inu-Yasha in the head with her two fingers.] I was TRYING to ask you if you've seen Kita around!
Inu-Yasha: Haven't seen the runt around all day, hence, I'm enjoying myself.
Sango: Well come help me find her. She left the den a mess.
Inu-Yasha: You are her mother, you do it!
Sango: I am not her-...[She doesn't finish the statement.] Will you come on already?
Inu-Yasha: [He gets up, fuming.] Fine already! Geeze! [He puts down the headphones.]
[They both look around first around the house, then around the neighborhood asking the people they pass by if they've seen her. With no luck, Sango becomes slightly worried.]
Sango: I can't believe it, she better have not run off to a friends without asking me. Miroku hears this and comes up behind her, grabbing Sango's butt. She jumps feeling Miroku.] Miroku not now!
Miroku: Just trying to lighten the mood, I'll go call some of her friends [He walks off.]
Sango: [She stands there, thinking.] Lets see, this morning we did the skit for Kotaku and... wait!
[She runs back home, runs upstairs, and over to her son's room.]
Sango: Kotaku.. Have you seen Kita around?
[Kotaku does not reply.]
Sango: I asked you a question!
[Kotaku looks down, trying to avoid his mother's gaze.]
Sango: Kotaku [She glares at him.] I suggest you-
Kotaku: I'm not allowed to say.
Sango: What?
Kotaku: I promised I wouldn't say where she went.
Sango: [She kneels down beside him.] Listen I need to know. You want her to be safe, don't you? [Kotaku nods.] Well you need to tell me right now, Kotaku
Kotaku: She left because you don't like her.
Sango: [She is stunned for a moment, and looks away from her son's eyes.] What would ever make her say that?
Kotaku: You said so before. You don't like her, you wish that she never came. I heard you myself.
Sango: Kotaku I didn't say all that... [Thinking to herself.] At least, I don't think. … and you told her all this?
Kotaku: [Kotaku nods slowly.] Maybe she went back to her grandma.
Sango: I don't know, Kotaku, but I intend to find out. [A tear forms in her eye and she quickly brushes it away.] You stay here [She steps out of the room where she is stopped by Miroku.]
Miroku: I called all of her friends, none of them seem to know where she is.
Sango: She ran away, Miroku, and I'm afraid its my fault...we have to find her
[Shippou runs in looking very worried.]
Shippou: Hey guys … you may want to look at this! [He drags them to the kitchen and points to the TV - the news is on News Channel 3.]
Reporter: There is still no word on what exactly caused the string of deaths in the Norview area. Witnesses say that there was no visible attack on the victims, simply that they collapsed, and since their skin was now like tissue paper, bled profusely as soon as they hit the pavement. Police are looking into new types of poison to be the culprit, or perhaps another string of terrorist attacks similar to the ones the country had earlier. More as this develops.
Miroku: [he watches the footage of one woman's death...and something in that catches his eye.] This is no terrorist threat. There are demons at work here.
Sango: [A tear runs down her cheek and her hands tremble slightly.] Perfect time for you to run away, Kita...
Sango's Guilt
[Scene: clattering and commotion is heard; complete darkness.]
Inu-Yasha's voice: Do I have to do this?
Kagome: Come on, Inu-Yasha, It'll be fun, and Kotaku needs this for his project
Inu-Yasha: Fine..fine...this is stupid though
[The lights fade in. A little arena is set up in the kitchen... a fairly large one. Seems similar to a "Pokemon Arena"]
Inuko: Hello and Welcome to Kitchen Stadium, where if you can't take the heat… get out of the kitchen
Kita: Well, that was cheesy.
Inuko: Hey, short notice, but that's the best I could come up with!
Kita: Anyway, right here we have an iron chef battle royale right here folks!
[Kotaku is seen holding the video camera steady.]
Inuko: Thats right… to our left we have Iron Chef Italian Sango Komori! [Sango waves holding a pot.]
Kita: Thats right, Sango has been in the kitchen cooking for her family since she was young! Since moving here, she has had more time to perfect herself in the culinary arts and found her specialty in Italian cooking and cuisine. She may have a gentle look about her but don't mess with her folks, she will steam, mince, dice, and chop her way to victory, taking no survivors!
Inuko: [Blinking.] That was pretty good...
Kita: I know!
Inuko: And over on the right is my poor da-..I mean, Iron Chef Japanese Inu-Yasha Higurashi. He hasn't been cooking very long, but he knows what he likes and knows that his hunger for good food is gunna lead him to victory!
Inu-Yasha: [Fuming] What type of introduction is THAT Inuko?!?
Inuko: Oh yeah, and he's kinda good at cooking fish.
Inu-Yasha: [Sweatdrops] Whose son are you anyway?
Kita: Yeah..anyway, its time for the theme ingredient to be unveiled.
[Dead silence, eyes look around for something to happen, but nothing.]
Kita: Dad!!
Miroku: Oh! Sorry! [He seems to have spaced off for a moment, holding the silver platter with a lid on it.]
Inuko: And Chairman Miroku is about to... unveil the theme ingredient!
Miroku: Fine, but I am NOT biting any hot peppers!
Kita: I would have made you, but I couldn't afford any peppers.
Inu-Yasha: Just show the damn ingredient!!
[Miroku, with the silver platter, pulls off the top. It's contents seem to be salmon.]
Kita: … and it looks like the theme ingredient may just be to Iron Chef Japanese's liking …
[Inu-Yasha sweatdrops once again. The two begin preparing their respective salmons.]
Inuko: Alright… and they're off!
Kita: We hope.
[Scene: Elsewhere in the city, seemingly undisclosed office building, Natsuko is reading a paper when another woman, blonde, puts her arms around her shoulder.]
Woman: Hello little sister …
Natsuko: [She jumps, then glares at the Woman.] What?? What What What?!?
Woman: [Laughing at her reaction.] Great job spooking those demons, just as Mistress ordered. But have you started on giving Mistress her temporary power source?
Natsuko: Temporary?
Woman: You little fool, do I have to do -everything- for you? [The woman snaps her fingers and brings about a small orb, that has a faint aura about it. She shoves it into Natsuko's hand.] The shadow beasts, you fool, you didn't order them to withdraw from their victims?
Natsuko: I did exactly what I was ordered and I'm sick of you two bossing me arou- [Her speech was interrupted by her sister's claw going to her throat.]
Woman: I wouldn't be worried about what I will do, but rather what Mistress will do if you fail! [She scratches Natsuko along her neck and shoulder.]
Natsuko: [She grabs her shoulder in annoyance.] Just get lost!
Woman: Hm… [Walks away from her.]
Natsuko: [She stares at the orb, thinking to herself.] Perhaps I should give you a dry run first, before going about the whole city...
-----
[Scene: Family room, watching the flat-screen TV. Kotaku is watching his tape, laughing, while Inu-Yasha growls at the thought of the whole thing.]
(Insert TV screen scene here)
Inu-Yasha: Where in the heck is Lee with that information we need?
Kagome: She's in her office trying to work on it now, there is nothing we can do until she decodes that.
Inu-Yasha: … and just stand here, waiting to get attacked? We're sitting ducks, Kagome, and you know it!
Lee: [She comes up behind Inu-Yasha, grabbing his shoulders.] ...and your brother has yet to call me with what he knows?
Inu-Yasha: [He jumps and gives a stare at Lee.] Will you stop doing that?
Lee: Hmm …
Inu-Yasha: Sesshomaru huh? And just how is he going to help? [Crosses his arms.] We'll if he does know anything, I'll pound it out of him
Kagome: Do you really think Sesshomaru can help us?
Lee: Yes, I think he can.
Kagome: Alright... Inu-Yasha, I expect you not to mess things up.
Inu-Yasha: [He narrows his eyes.] I'm going to pretend you didn't say that.
Kotaku: Hey, you guys wanna watch this again?
Inu-Yasha: No. [Inu-Yasha seems to have said that as stoicism as possible.]
Kotaku: Aww.
Kagome: Maybe later Kotaku, why don't you go off and show it to Shippou? [Kotaku nods and leaves, sticking out tounge at Inu-Yasha.]
Inu-Yasha: I want to burn that tape!
Kagome: Inu-Yasha...
Inu-Yasha: Feh.
[Sango walks in, with look of disgust.]
Sango: Have either of you seen Kita? She needs to clean her room; it's an absolute disaster area.
Kagome: No, have you Inu-Yasha?
Inu-Yasha: Nope, haven't seen her. You know she only comes out to steal my stuff and to humiliate me!
Kagome: [Mumbles to herself.] Well maybe she wouldn't if you didn't make it so easy
Sango: [She steps in between them.] No… no... not this time! I have a headache and I really don't want to listen to you two argue … … again.
Kagome: I have work to do anyway [She walks off with a bit of an attitude.]
Inu-Yasha: Work. Yeah right?
Kagome: Like you even know what a job is.
Inu-Yasha: Yeah protecting your ass all the damn time. [Inu-Yasha shoots evil glare at Kagome.]
Sango: [She leads Inu-Yasha away.] not now... not now…
[Scene: Lee is sitting quietly in her bedroom, trying to get some work done. She is constantly distracted by all the noise downstairs, and it is really beginning to get to her. She holds her head in frustration.]
Lee: Do those people ever shut up? [She looks to the corner of her room, where Shippou is -trying- to get a nap.] You too, huh? [She tries not to laugh at Shippou, all curled up on those bean bags.] And to think you are almost as old as I am. [She leans against her pillow and looks up at the ceiling.] If I could get some piece and quiet maybe I could crack that code without waiting for Sesshomaru.
[Instantly, the lamp beside her bed shatters. Shippou jumps up and looks around, but Lee remains calm.]
Shippou: What happened?!? [He looked at the lamp.]
Lee: [Stays silent for a moment.] I have a feeling the local residents don't care for me much... Shippou, try resting in Kagome's room for now, while I clean up this mess. [Shippou nods and leaves.]
Lee: It's such a shame … I don't care what they think.
Shippou: [He pauses just in time to hear Lee's last statement.] Is that woman scared of anything? [Keeps walking off.]
Lee: [She sighs and gets up herself, gathering her things and heading towards the door, she looks at her watch.] Yep, now is about the time where Shane should be… conscious. Better go pick him up from that party. [She grumbles to herself] I'm sick of him just taking off all hours of the day to get drunk with his friends, I have enough to deal with as it is.
---
[A woman is seen walking in the Norview area. She is talking to her child, who is smiling and grabs her shirt to be picked up. She picks him up and walks on when she pauses. The shadow behind her seems to disappear and her eyes lose their pupils... she falls to her knees and the on the ground. Her child watches in horror.]
-----
Kagome: [She is getting ready to leave for work, seen putting her bag in her car and slips into the drivers seat and leaves the driveway. As she goes down the road, something comes to mind and she calls Sango.]
[The phone rings back at the house and Sango picks it up.]
Sango: Hello?
Kagome: Sango, I totally forgot you were working today as well. I just wanted to see who would be around to watch the kids today?
Sango: Oh it's no problem I'll make sure I'm around.
Kagome: Great. Can you tell Kita to make sure she cleans up the den? She left it a mess this morning.
Sango: Sure [She calls out.] Kita! Kagome wants you to clean up the den!
[However, there was no reply]
Sango: Oh well, I'll find her and tell her. You have a good day, Kagome.
Kagome: You too.
[Sango starts searching the house. Of course, she starts at the messy study room. She steps over multiple stacks of paper like it was normal. Of course, the mess in this room is to the point where no one bothers to clean it. Sango sees Inu-Yasha staring blankly at the computer screen, wearing headphones.]
Sango: Inu-Yasha have you seen Kita?
[There was no response.]
Sango: [She speaks in an annoyed tone.] Have you seen Shaquita?
[Still no response from Inu-Yasha.]
Sango: [Very annoyed, she screams at him, breaking down syllables.] HAVE … YOU … SEEN …. SHA-QUI-TA?!
[When still there is no answer, Sango walks over there and pulls his headphones off. Just then, she notices what was on the screen. It was a figure of a dancing... bean... thing, but more of a banana shape, dancing all over the screen. She puts the headphones to her ears.]
Headphones: Its peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time!
Sango: Right…. [She shakes her head just as Inu-Yasha snatches the headphones back.]
Inu-Yasha: Do you mind? I'm watching something very important!
Sango: [She smacks Inu-Yasha in the head with her two fingers.] I was TRYING to ask you if you've seen Kita around!
Inu-Yasha: Haven't seen the runt around all day, hence, I'm enjoying myself.
Sango: Well come help me find her. She left the den a mess.
Inu-Yasha: You are her mother, you do it!
Sango: I am not her-...[She doesn't finish the statement.] Will you come on already?
Inu-Yasha: [He gets up, fuming.] Fine already! Geeze! [He puts down the headphones.]
[They both look around first around the house, then around the neighborhood asking the people they pass by if they've seen her. With no luck, Sango becomes slightly worried.]
Sango: I can't believe it, she better have not run off to a friends without asking me. Miroku hears this and comes up behind her, grabbing Sango's butt. She jumps feeling Miroku.] Miroku not now!
Miroku: Just trying to lighten the mood, I'll go call some of her friends [He walks off.]
Sango: [She stands there, thinking.] Lets see, this morning we did the skit for Kotaku and... wait!
[She runs back home, runs upstairs, and over to her son's room.]
Sango: Kotaku.. Have you seen Kita around?
[Kotaku does not reply.]
Sango: I asked you a question!
[Kotaku looks down, trying to avoid his mother's gaze.]
Sango: Kotaku [She glares at him.] I suggest you-
Kotaku: I'm not allowed to say.
Sango: What?
Kotaku: I promised I wouldn't say where she went.
Sango: [She kneels down beside him.] Listen I need to know. You want her to be safe, don't you? [Kotaku nods.] Well you need to tell me right now, Kotaku
Kotaku: She left because you don't like her.
Sango: [She is stunned for a moment, and looks away from her son's eyes.] What would ever make her say that?
Kotaku: You said so before. You don't like her, you wish that she never came. I heard you myself.
Sango: Kotaku I didn't say all that... [Thinking to herself.] At least, I don't think. … and you told her all this?
Kotaku: [Kotaku nods slowly.] Maybe she went back to her grandma.
Sango: I don't know, Kotaku, but I intend to find out. [A tear forms in her eye and she quickly brushes it away.] You stay here [She steps out of the room where she is stopped by Miroku.]
Miroku: I called all of her friends, none of them seem to know where she is.
Sango: She ran away, Miroku, and I'm afraid its my fault...we have to find her
[Shippou runs in looking very worried.]
Shippou: Hey guys … you may want to look at this! [He drags them to the kitchen and points to the TV - the news is on News Channel 3.]
Reporter: There is still no word on what exactly caused the string of deaths in the Norview area. Witnesses say that there was no visible attack on the victims, simply that they collapsed, and since their skin was now like tissue paper, bled profusely as soon as they hit the pavement. Police are looking into new types of poison to be the culprit, or perhaps another string of terrorist attacks similar to the ones the country had earlier. More as this develops.
Miroku: [he watches the footage of one woman's death...and something in that catches his eye.] This is no terrorist threat. There are demons at work here.
Sango: [A tear runs down her cheek and her hands tremble slightly.] Perfect time for you to run away, Kita...