Kagome and Sesshomaru approached the museum. She could see the yellow tape stretched across the entranceway. There were three police cars in the driveway, and several officers were walking around shining flashlights. She could see Mr. Osawa's car in his parking space. He must be very upset. As they got closer she realized the extent of the damage. The entire doorway, and most of the wall surrounding it, was lying all over the patio and steps. It looked as if an explosion had blew the wall out. As they approached one of the officers he held his hand out to them. "Halt. This is a crime scene people." She grabbed Sesshomaru as he stepped in front of her with a defensive stance. "Let me handle this please." He looked at her and nodded in agreement.
Kagome told the officer who she was, and that she hoped that she could be of assistance to the investigation. The man in uniform seemed to be pondering what she said while he stared at her tall companion. "Who is he?" The officer questioned. "Uh, he's my room mate." Kagome couldn't think of a better lie than that on short notice. "The officer seemed to believe her and told her to follow him." He led her through the massive hole in the front of the museum and into the lobby, where Mr. Osawa was speaking to another officer. At the sight of her quickly walked over and hugged her gently. "Oh, Kagome, I'm so thankful you were not here when this happened! I would not have been able to forgive myself if you'd been injured!" She returned his warm hug. He stepped back and was now staring blankly at Sesshomaru. "Uh... Mr. Osawa, this is Sesshomaru. He is an old friend and my room mate." She realized that her boss was having a hard time with her last statement, and Sesshomaru realized it as well. He then bowed deeply to the old man in a largely respectful manner. This apparently set Mr. Osawa at ease, though he still glanced curiously at the white haired young man.
"Do you know what all has been stolen" Kagome asked the elderly curator? "Hai, it is most strange, Kagome." Mr. Osawa began walking further into the museum. When he stopped, Kagome's heart almost broke through her chest. "The statue of the Unknown Warrior was the only thing taken, my dear. Simply baffling." Kagome couldn't speak at first. She also knew that Sesshomaru was staring at her, gauging her response. 'He knew all along! Bastard. Just wait 'til I get him home, I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind. He could have told me on the way here.' She silently cursed at her demon companion. The look in his eyes changed a little. Was he amused with her apparent anger? 'Ooo, the gall of him!'
Mr. Osawa was also looking at Kagome. Everyone knew that this was her favorite piece of work in the museum, so he anticipated that this was going to upset her. Kagome decided to play her very real anger into her reaction. "I can't believe someone would do this!" Again she caught a glimpse of amusement coming from her tall companion. "We have to find the culprit and make them pay for this," she replied strongly with anger in her voice. She said the words while looking directly at Sesshomaru. This only proved to amuse him further as he actually let a smirk curl across his face. Kagome couldn't believe this was happening. This night just got worse and worse!
Mr. Osawa escorted them back to the entrance. "The strangest thing, Kagome, is this." She looked at the damage to the main entrance. The hole was huge. Her boss continued, "The hole is blown out, not in. Almost as if the explosives were placed on the inside." She could clearly see what he meant. None of the rubble was lying on the beautiful marble floor. It was all outside on the patio and steps. "The police seem to think that the thieves had someone inside the museum to place the explosive. After the front was blown, they entered and took the statue. What they don't understand is why. Why would someone break in through the main entrance where they could have been seen, and risk drawing additional attention by using explosives." Mr. Osawa shook his head sadly. "My beautiful museum. I must call a contractor first thing in the morning to get this rebuilt. Detective Minoko assured me that he would have an officer on duty here until it is repaired."
Kagome felt sorry for her distraught boss. She reached over and patted him on the back. "Everything will be alright, very soon. I'm sorry this happened to the museum, Mr. Osawa." Kagome tried to make him feel a little better, but knew her efforts were fruitless. She decided it was time to return home. She started to say good night to her boss, when a clean-cut young man in a brown suit interrupted them. He quickly flashed an ID card at her and began to speak.
"Miss Higurashi, I am Detective Minoko. I have a few questions I'd like to ask you." He pulled out a pen and a notepad. "Who is your friend here, Miss Higurashi?" He was looking up at Sesshomaru curiously. Kagome felt her heart sink into her stomach. "Um, this is my old friend, Sesshomaru...uh....Inuyoko." She looked at Sesshomaru quickly, afraid he was about to make a scene. The look he returned was only one of slight humor. The detective began questioning again. He asked her what time she left the museum and what time she arrived home. He also questioned her about seeing anyone suspicious in the area. Kagome started to tell him about the thugs, but the glare in Sesshomaru's eyes quieted her tongue. She told the officer 'no'.
He turned to Sesshomaru, who had until this time been quietly standing next to her. "Mr. Inu...yoko is it? Were you at home when your...err..room mate, arrived home?" He obviously didn't believe they were just room mates and old friends. Kagome started to answer for Sesshomaru, but he stopped her. "Yes. I was meditating when she arrived." His smooth voice commanded respect, and the surprise was evident on the detective's face. The officer suddenly understood that he wasn't dealing with an average tattooed punk.
"Just out of curiosity, what are those markings on your face," the detective was closely examining Sesshomaru's face when he asked the question. "They are the ancient tribal tattoo's of my forefathers," Sesshomaru said, as he bowed a little toward the detective. Minoko accepted this answer with a shrug. Hell, he'd seen stranger things in this city. He thanked them for their time, said he'd be in touch, and walked away.
Kagome gave a sigh of relief. She told Mr. Osawa goodbye and turned to go home. On the way home Kagome was just too tired to fuss at her youkai shadow. She began to feel the effects of her insane night. Her body was aching for sleep. She shivered a little as exhaustion began to envelope her. That was when Sesshomaru put his arm over her shoulder. She looked up at him in surprise. "This Sesshomaru will not bite you miko, I noticed your shivering." She smiled at him in appreciation, as strange as it seemed, and accepted the small kindness.
By the time Kagome got to the third floor of stairs, she thought her legs would collapse. It took every effort not to show her struggle to her companion. He, on the other hand, took the steps with ease, and wondered at the unusual woman ahead of him. Though she had been through a torturous night, she still had not complained. He waited to see how long she would struggle silently before she gave up. As the fourth flight of stairs loomed over her, he could smell her exhaustion, but suspected that she would never ask for help. A strange girl, this ningen who once belonged to his half brother. Sesshomaru told himself that the miko was simply moving to slow for his liking, so he swiftly swept her up into his arms. She made a slight protest, but didn't argue further when he glared down at her.
On the 6th floor they passed an elderly woman that Kagome met when she first moved in. The woman was quite shocked when she rounded the corner to come face to face with the stunning man carrying his little prize. She gave them a knowing smile that sent Kagome's face ablaze. 'Oh Kami, she thinks we are a couple!' She couldn't even bring herself to look at Sesshomaru, but she could feel the amused smirk sliding across his face once more. When they reached her apartment she expected him to release his hold on her, but instead he strode straight into her bedroom and lay her gently on the bed. Kagome sat up and began to speak. She had several things that she wanted to say to him and many questions that were swimming in her head. Before she could open her mouth, he stopped her. "Sleep little miko, we will discuss things after you have rested." With that he turned and closed her bedroom door behind him. Kagome just sighed and let sleep take her.