Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
A/N: Okay, I think it's about time for an update of my newest story. Enjoy!
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Title: Don't Throw Away The Key!
By: Sakura-chan88
Chapter 2: Beginnings
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6 months earlier...
The letter fell from her shaking hands, her face pale, her lips parted in half-heartedly submerged surprise. The hard wooden chair she sat upon creaked as her full weight sank completely into the seat. Voices around her were questioning and alarmed.
"Officer?" a young voice called as bars of steal rattled. "What's the matter?"
"No speaking!" Kagome barked, her attention snapping. "You know the rules- lights out means lights out."
"I was just-"
"Hush, Kaida! Solitary confinement is not what you want, trust me."
The prisoner fell silent. Kagome stood, quietly stalking over to the door to watch for the officer who worked nightshift. She was impatient and found herself fidgetting. A few moments passed before Yura arrived. They regarded each other with pleasant smiles before Kagome slipped through the door and strided briskly away.
Retreating to her car, she withdrew her cell phone and dialed the first number that came to mind.
"Hello?"
"Why did you transfer me?"
"Transfer you?" the woman repeated in confusion. "That's ludicrous. I wouldn't transfer you."
"Naraku said you did," Kagome hissed, drawing forth her letter. "I quote, 'For reasons both classified and essential, you are hereby removed from your position at Jutachijikutsu to be placed in charge of the HDH Block of Sannojikutsu by request of Jutachijikutsu's Warden, Caladriel."
"That lieing bastard!" Caladriel shouted.
"He didn't tell you?"
"Does he ever bother to warn anyone of his changes?"
"... True..." Kagome muttered after a slight pause. "Sorry for yelling at you..."
"You better be."
"Well, I'm starting there tomorrow. Noon, it seems."
"Don't be so sure of that, Higurashi," Caladriel warned. "Just your luck he'll mean midnight tonight... Maybe you should call."
The suggestion cast a cloud over the younger officer. She knew Cal was going to wash out her mouth for the sour taste that flavored her voice. Naraku and Cal had never liked each other, but what had set the contempt between them like an unsurmountable abyss was beyond Kagome's knowledge.
"Yeah, I should. Sorry for the news, Cal."
"It isn't your fault."
"... Sorry..."
"Kagome," she growled in warning. "I told you to stop saying that. Don't apologize for something that isn't your fault."
"Sor-"
"Don't."
Click.
Kagome smiled at the buzz on the other side of the line before a grim snarl formed. She dialed the next number on her call list.
"Midnight tonight."
Click.
Kagome's insides churned at the two words Naraku spoke before sending her energy in the form of liquid wires through the cell phone. She felt a glitch and zapped it.
"Damn Naraku and his bugs."
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Inuyasha's ears twitched, his eyes glowing as the sun set. Houjou had called 'light's out' three minutes late, again, and was promptly scolded by his boss.
He sighed. Tonight was the one night Inuyasha wished Houjou had gotten his timing right, because, only seconds after the lights dimmed, his blood thinned and his heart sped. The light tingling started at the roots of his hair, his eyes burned, his hands coursed with a familiar pain. Focus drifted in and out as his vision darkened from the less nighttime-vision like pupils.
'Human, again.'
"Yo, Inuyasha! How you holdin'-"
"Niju," a chilling voice reprimanded.
"Sorry, Naraku," Niju mumbled.
The corridor fell silent.
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Kagome cursed Naraku silently, leaving his office with an unnessesarily loud yet oddly satisfying slam of the door. She walked the grounds, learning her way about them with a practiced ease as she dialed another number. Her mother answered on the third ring, yawning.
"Mama? Hey, I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Naraku transwered me again and I won't need my apartment anymore..."
After a lot of compromising, Kagome snapped the phone shut and entered her new home.
The air was chilly, yet tolerable, and the stone walls whispered softly the cries it heard through the many years. The place was haunting, to say the least; a nightmare placed smack-dab in the center of reality, to say the most. Only seven of the thirty jail cells were occupied, though tonight she would take residence in the very last one, making the block home to nine people- eight cells used.
"Homey, huh?"
The bell struck twelve.
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Inuyasha sat on his cot, legs folded as his arms were. Snores and shuffling sheets sounded down out by the newcomer's foot steps. As they stopped and a voice whispered, 'homey, huh?' Inuyasha retreated to a faux show of slumber. The resounding pace continued, then ended at his cell door.
"Lights out was over three hours ago," a voice barked as a light shined through into his cell. He grumbled and sat up, glaring at the offending light.
"I never sleep in this form," Inuyasha hissed.
"You'll start now, then."
His energy was blanketed and comforted by a pink aura and darkness stole his consciousness. 'A miko...?' He silently cursed the light that had prevented him from seeing the woman that gave him a very unnerving feeling of helplessness.
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Kagome growled at the now slumbering man, eyes narrowed in hatred. Convicts were all alike- every one of them! They all thought they were above the law; the rules didn't apply to them as they did to everyone else, the filthy beasts. And they'd never learn any better. Kagome had seen the way they were treated by the guards- just like any ordinary person, because the guards were pansies.
She sneered in disgust. Tonight, she would miss a good sleep just to rearrange their schedule. Double shifts seemed feasable.
The night passed surprisingly slow.
She drifted to sleep beside an empty cell and Houjou shook her awake an hour before day break.
"Hi, I'm-"
"Officer Hitomaru," she interupted. "I know. I'm Officer Higurashi."
"... Houjou," he finished. "Call me Houjou."
"Well, Officer Hitomaru, call me Officer Higurashi- nothing more, nothing less- or don't call me anything at all."
"You're obviously not a morning person," said Houjou with a companionable smile.
"Nor am I a noon or night person. Stay out of my way and we won't have a problem."
"Wha-whoo!" a man shouted, clapping. "You tell him, Ms. Man!"
Kagome was on her feet and in front of the whooping man in seconds. "My conversation is not for your amusement, vagabond!"
The man backed down with a startled expression and the corridor went silent once more.
"Now, today is your lucky day, men!" she shouted, walking to each cell and tapping them to rouse the sleepers. "Each of you will accompany me to a private interview session- you'll learn my rules- up close and personal, if need be- and I'll learn just what you were sent here for in return.
"If you have any sense," she continued, "you'll withhold nothing but your arrogance and pride when speaking to me. Here you have niether, and if you still do, I will take them from you. Jail is not recess from life and stress! This is a facility to form a sturdier citizen. Starting tomorrow, you will work double shifts on plate duty every day of the week. The first one to prove this is no problem and are glad to take the punishment will be first releaved of the work. Then work will double again for the others."
Every man was now glaring in outrage at the officer.
"I suggest this be a team effort!"
There was an intense moment when no one spoke and no one dared to breath- fearing that the silence would break and more sentences befall them. Then, tentively, a voice entered the tense air.
"You... look familiar."
Kagome turned to see the man she'd put to sleep last night standing by his door, staring intently, an odd flash of recognition dancing in his eyes, ears raising high in what she could only deem excited hopefullness. "... Kikyou?"
She searched his face. Something was telling her both he and this 'Kikyou' person should ring a bell... The bell refused to be heard.
"I'm Officer Higurashi. You will call me by name."
"Oh." The simple, sullen sigh was filled to the brim with depression.
Kagome looked him over once more before she shrugged off the odd feel of familiarity. "Alright," she barked, turning to Houjou. "Officer Hitomaru, these men will remain here today. Bring their food to them. You, yes you," Kagome hissed, shaking the gate to the cell whose occupant was still laying down. "Get up, you're coming with me."
An abrupt chill scuttled up her spine as a spider up a wall. "What, Naraku?"
"You didn't receive authorization to interrogate these men," a silky voice slithered its way into her ears as a body materialized from the shadows.
"You didn't ask how I felt or how convenient it would be for me before transfering me- so back down."
"You-"
"I will deal with you later... Right now, I'm setting things in order- just try and stop me, Naraku," she snapped, finally bringing her burning gaze to the man. "I want to see you do it."
Naraku's eyes darkened, but no emotion was displayed in any other way. "See me in my office-"
"At lights out," said Kagome, nodding to herself at how appropiate her time setting sounded to her.
"You shouldn't speak to me as if-"
"Personally, I think you should be a prisoner more than half the people here, so don't push your luck."
Naraku smirked, leaning against the doorway. "Very well. You can have your interview."
Kagome sent him a glare, unlocking the cell to the previously spoken-to prisoner. "Come."
"Name's Lazybones," the prisoner greeted as he eyed Naraku uncertainly. "Officer Higurashi, right?" Kagome nodded and led him away, a frown in place as she walked passed her boss. "Welcome to Sannojikutsu. The Hell hole of a home away from home."
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Katsumata Goki (Lazybones)
Fuji Niju
Fuji Jutsujin (Reverse, Ujin)
Majiin Kataru (The Cat)
Asano Inoue (The Bull)
Zi Kageromaru (Little Brother)
Zi Jiromaru
Himitsu Inuyasha
Kagome relived each 'interview' over and over, things blaringly obvious that something was wrong.
The Fuji brothers and Inuyasha were compelled to explain, repeatedly, insisting that if any new person was willing to listen then it was worth talking, that they did not do the crime they were there for. She told them point-blank 'I. Do. Not. Care.'
Oh, yes, she was very good with pronouncing every individual word...
Then something caught.
All three voices echoed 'we were framed.' They had said, as single persons, 'we were framed.' 'All of us.'
"Inuyasha, what do you mean by 'we were framed'?" Kagome asked, her hand retreating from its place on the door knob.
"Calling me by name?" he quirked with an upraised eyebrow.
"Answer the question..."
"... Didn't the Fuji brothers tell you?" he asked, moving back to take a seat, motioning to the other. "It's a long story."
"Make it short," she ordered, but took the offered seat nonetheless.
"See, when we first arrived here, it was in a span of four months each. Niju arrived after me and Ujin three months ago. Reverse told his story and I had already heard Niju's... Something clicked. The weapon, the attorney, the alleged 'time of assult!'" His words were raising in volume as he ran a hand through his hair in a frustrated manner.
"The attorney?"
"Yeah, Terashima-"
There was a knock at the door, startling them both.
"What?" Kagome bellowed.
The door opened to permit Naraku to enter. Kagome glared speculatively and sent mental feelers through the room. Again, her powers hit a snag, catching what she was looking for...
Click...
The electronic bugs were fried.
"Damn you."
"What?" he asked in false genuine curiosity.
"That's really convenient for you, isn't it?"
A slow, slimey smile formed on his lips. "You're getting stronger everyday..."
"You should have gotten rid of me years ago," Kagome snorted with a dark glare. "What did you interrupt for?"
"I thought you'd like to see how Niju has... disturbed your block."
"He has, has he?" asked Kagome dryly.
"Convenient, indeed," Inuyasha chuckled in disgust. "Does this mean the session's over?"
Kagome nodded and ushered Inuyasha out of the room to check the block. Everything was silent as she entered the corridor marked 'Humans, Demons, Hanyous.' She took the surroundings in with a conjectured gaze.
Niju was on the cold floor, passed out.
"What happened?"
"Houjou... he said Niju was called down to talk to you again," Jutsujin answered. "Niju said something and walked to The Cat's cage. Cat attacked him and smashed his head on the bars and Houjou ran."
Kagome had listened to his story as she locked Inuyasha back in his cell. When the key clicked, she muttered with unfocused eyes cast to her hands placing the key in her pocket, "I never said..."
'What's going on? I never called Niju back... Surely Naraku isn't that stupid...'
Niju groaned, dragging an arm to his forehead. Kagome retreated from Inuyasha's cell to check the man's injuries. Placing a hand under his head, she felt the sticky red liquid she feared she'd find and grimaced.
"Kataru," she called, retrieving her keys once more and tossing them to his cell. "Get out of there."
The man grinned, his gold-slit eyes neary closing in pleasure of some sort. "Of course," he purred.
"Have you ever wondered," she implored as he obliged her, "even in this short time I've been here, why it is that I was transfered to this prison even though I'm a woman?"
He slinked out of his cage in a feline manner, a slender tail following his form. "But of course I have. Anyone would. Are you willing to explain in detail?"
Kagome matched his grin that rivaled that of the Cheshire cat, displaying her contempt as she ground through clenched teeth, "I've always heard curiousity killed the cat." Energy, in abundance, crept through her veins, pumping with the same heat as adrenaline. "Maybe you're that cat."
His lips pulled back further to show glistening gums as he hissed, his short cropped hair standing higher on his neck.
"How many lives of those nine do you still have?"
"Enough."
"I'll have two of those, then," she mumbled, standing and placing her palm up. The blood upon the upturned appendage glowed. "I don't like blood, really. Perhaps you do since you draw it with no qualm."
The energy hit its highest point. A bloody blanket was flung over to cover Kataru. He grinned. Kagome did, too.
"I also heard cat's don't like water."
"Keep talking, Officer. Waste your pretty breath."
"Just a warning," she stated.
Smoke rose from the demon as he began to change, hissing, "what did you do?"
"You aren't the brightest of demons, are you?" Kagome giggled in a derogatory way. "Blood travels with water in your veins, Tom."
"Get it off!" he squealed as the steam gathered.
"Are you telling me what to do?" Kagome hissed.
He glared, then paused, his eyes growing in size. "What the...? Why am I changing?"
"It's easier to purify a demon when its in its true form," Kagome stated as the steam grew thicker, hissing and spitting, the now fully transformed man scrawling in pain. "Say please. Maybe then..."
"He can't speak in that form!" Lazy shouted. "You're going to kill him."
"He still has a few lives left," Kageromaru laughed, thoroughly enjoying the show.
Kagome relented, allowing his form to change, leaving a whimpering man on the ground.
"Say please..."
"..."
"Remember, you have no pride here."
"... Please stop."
"What about Niju?"
"I'm sorry."
Kagome nodded. "Take him to the infirmary."
"Yes, Officer Higurashi."
"... Get yourself treated as well, Kataru."
"Thank you, Officer."
As Kataru limped over to the unconscious body that was Niju, Kagome turned to address the rest of the inmates.
"I am not pleased, at all. This is not a school- you have no homework- there is no recess- I am not your teacher. But you will listen and learn from the few lessons I am forced to give when such things as these happen. Understood?"
"Yes, Officer."
"EVERYONE!"
"Yes, Officer Higurashi!"
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1 month later...
"Officer Higurashi," were the first words to reach his ears when he woke that morning. Opening a lazy eye, Inuyasha found Houjou running down the corridor. He listened intently as the sounds faded.
Houjou stopped at the last cell and began rattling the door.
'What the...?'
"Hush, Hitomaru," the miko replied. "Please tell me you didn't wake anyone."
"Not to my knowledge..."
"What do you need?"
"We've got a new inmate. He's waiting in the interrogation room for you. I thought you'd like to get it over with before waking everyone."
"... Alright. I'll be there in 3 minutes."
"No need to rush yourself, Higurashi."
"Get your hands off of my shoulders. Now!"
Inuyasha snickered, seeing the look on Officer Higurashi's face as if he were right there. Houjou was an idiot to think about touching the girl. She didn't even tolerate it when Niju tripped and his hand caught her shoulder to stay upright. Niju had apologize instinctively and begged her forgiveness as if he'd done it all his life. She really had taken away their pride and all in a month's time.
"Sorry, I'm just... concerned. You haven't been sleeping properly."
"And?"
"I'm just worried, is all," Houjou said, the sound of feet shuffling nervously following his statement.
"Concern yourself with your own welfare."
The Bull shifted in his sleep and woke with a silent start.
"Officer Higurashi!" Inuyasha shouted, working out a perfect plan in seconds. "We need to talk, now!" His hands flew to a paper and pencil beside him as he wrote quickly. 'Sorry, I didn't want Bull to find out. I won't tell a soul, promise. Just... Look in to Niju and Ujin's background for me, please? You'll find it interesting, I assure you. Tonight's the new moon, too- incase you're wondering.'
The woman was beside his door as soon as the pencil stopped. He grabbed the paper, folding it several times. "Sometime soon, I need to-"
"You need nothing," she bit out, slipping a hand through the bars to grab a lock of his hair. He slid the note into her sleeve.
"I understand that, officer Higurashi, but-"
"Good night."
Again, his energy drained as he staggard to the bed.
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Kagome surveyed the area around her, seeing The Bull sit up in a daze. "You too, Inoue. Back to sleep."
The man nodded and lay down, closing his eyes. Houjou leaned against Inuyasha's cage. "Don't you think it's odd that a former superstar like Himitsu would commit murder? He killed an anonymous person in a dark alleyway, but why?"
"Maybe you should be a detective insead of a jailhouse security guard."
"Perhaps... Don't you think so, though?"
"I'm not paid to question their innocence, Hitomaru, and neither are you," she sighed. "So, please, keep such thoughts to yourself."
Houjou lowered his gaze. "His name is Mujaki Miroku, and he's here for possession and resisting arrest. He's also being held for suspicioun of being an accessory to a chain of bank robberies."
Kagome nodded and proceeded to the awaiting man.
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"No! I've told you, I didn't do anything wrong! It wasn't my coat!"
"Why did you resist arrest, then?"
"I didn't! That police officer beat me after I was cuffed, so I tried to get into the car to stop it. His partner just sat and watched it happen!" Miroku shouted, pacing the room with his hands in his hair. "Does that sound like I was resisting arrest. Hell, I was jumping into the car, hoping I'd be at the police station sooner. When I got there, they wouldn't let me file a lawsuit against the officer, even with the evident bruises and my black eye!"
"If you did all that, told the court, and they still found you guilty, then you're guilty in my book. Now, listen-"
"I was framed!"
"LISTEN and stop your whining! You're making my patience wear thin and your cell mate won't like it one bit."
He sputtered to a halt in his speech. Eyes wide and mouth gapping, he squeaked, "I don't get my own cell?"
"I want to conserve space," she grinned humorlessly.
Miroku shook the unpleasent thoughts. "Please, listen to me just for a minute more."
"... I'm listening."
He took a deep, calming breath. "My attorney, she didn't do her job- she might as well have said 'oops, I forgot he is guilty.' They wouldn't give me another attorney! She even laughed when I pleaded innocent- then tried covering it up by saying 'I remembered this great joke!' I'm surprised she didn't say I was the joke!"
"It's illegal for her to-"
"Suki didn't think so."
"Suki?"
"Yeah. Terashima Suki-Taiyo. She's known for a flawless record of wins when it comes to accused demon murder cases. Not a single demon has been deemed guilty when she defends them. Humans, on the other hand..."
"And hanyous?"
"She's only had one case with a hanyou. I heard she lost."
"Yes. He's actually your cell mate- that hanyou. You two have a lot in common. He'll show you the ropes around here."
"Alright, but-"
Kagome sighed, "I'll look into your case and see what I can do."
"Really?"
"Breath a word of this to anyone and you can be garaunteed to live your life here."
He nodded vigorously. "Thank you, officer... uh..."
"Officer Higurashi," she said. "Now, listen carefully. I have a reputation here I'm sure you'll find very... well, the opposite of this, I guess you would say."
"Why?"
"Prison is a place of reshaping a person with a questionable past into a good citizen and an honorable being. I believe this and act according to this... but..." Kagome looked the man in the eyes, her countanance hardening. "You'll find no special treatment here! Starting today, you'll work double shifts alongside your cell mate on plate detail. Lunch is a 30 minute break, showers are at 7, phonecalls every three days at 6, and lights out at nine. You are to be on your best behavior at all times. If you disturb my block, I will reap the worst of punishments fit for you."
She paused slightly, catching her breath and checking her watch. "I'm a strict person, Miroku. Cross me and you'll regret it. You have no pride here, you have no arrogance to speak with. Your life is in my hands. Remember these rules and you'll find it's not too bad."
Miroku nodded, smiling politely, his deamenor doing a 180. "Yes, ma'am."
"Officer."
"Yes, officer."
"You have been the fastest to learn that rule- two have lost a lot for that mistake."
"I'm glad I'm not them, then," he replied. "I have a question."
"What is it?" she asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Are you a miko?"
She gasped lightly, taken aback. A hand raised to her throat on instinct, trying, and failing, to stop the stutter tumbling from her lips. "Y-yes... But how?"
His hands waved before him in defense, a barrier slipping from his form. Then she saw it.
The aura of a holy man...
Her eyes widened a fraction. "Well, this certainly helps," she whispered. "I'll get started on your case as soon as possible, Miroku."
"I'm sorry for keeping my gaurd up, but it's easier to see another's aura if mine is hidden."
Kagome nodded. "I understand. Now, come, it's time to wake the others. Plate duty is in an hour."
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Inuyasha grumbled to himself, gritting his teeth. He didn't need to sleep anymore! She flaunted that power way too much.
The officer entered the area, shaking Lazy's cell door as she went by, waking every sleeper. "Rise and shine! Up, now!"
"Yo, Ms. Man, you seem cheery."
"Niju!" everyone yelled, annoyed by his persistance in calling their gaurd by the dubbed nickname.
"Ah... Officer, you seem cheery," he corrected. "What's up?"
"Nothing concerning you."
"Get a raise?"
"Niju, shut up!" Ujin shouted.
"Sorry, Officer Higurashi," Niju sighed.
"Don't apologize for something that is not your fault."
That got a gasp of surprise from everyone and Inuyasha, hesitant and continuously grumbling, got up to look through his bars. Higurashi stood as she usually did, stiff and strictly to code. Her hair was a bit of a mess like earlier, but, other than that, she was herself. The man nest to her gathered his attention faster than any release form would.
"Roku?"
The called man spun sharply, the words out of his mouth before Inuyasha was even in view. "Yash?"
"You two know each other?" Higurashi asked in alarm.
"No way!" Miroku yelled, walking to the cell in a hurry. "You're here, too? For what?
"An unfair trial-"
"Murder and possession of cocaine," Higurashi filled in.
Miroku's eyes narrowed. Inuyasha looked away, hissing, "I didn't kill anyone, I was framed!"
"Your letting them get away with more than usual, Ka-"
"Shut up, Naraku!" She hissed, flinching involuntarily.
Inuyasha watched as Miroku paled, whispering in a nearly inaudible voice, "Naraku..." The hanyou blinked. Miroku knew Naraku? How? He shook the thoughts out of his head and returned his focus to the two who formerly held it.
"... Hitomaru, take these prisoners to the mess hall. K-"
"Naraku," she growled, spinning to face her boss.
"My office, now," he ordered, stepping out of the shadows.
"You can wait. Mujaki Miroku is new here. I will need to be here at all times until I see fit."
"You are-"
"No, you are pushing your luck. Maybe next week."
"Regretable," he sneered, eyes sparkling in dark delight.
Inuyasha watched the woman's fists tighten, her back going rigid to the point of breaking. "Are you threatening me?"
Naraku grinned in a twisted way, "perhaps."
"Fuck off," Inuyasha muttered. "Try and harm her and see what happens."
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Kagome turned an inquisitive gaze to the hanyou, startled by the defensive statement directed to the prison warden. 'Why would he help me? After everthing I've done.' A murmur rushed through from each cell in agreement. She was shocked, to say the least, but didn't let it phase her as she swivled on her heel to glare at the boss.
"I won't hold them back, either... I'd rather enjoy seeing you bleed."
Naraku's eyes darkened. "They escaped; I didn't send them out there to kill my own uncle... You need to realize that."
"I know there's no reason to trust you," Kagome hissed. "And that is all I need to know."
"Bad move putting her in charge if you had planned on operating HDH block, Naraku," Inuyasha chuckled from his cell. "Getting beaten by a girl you put in charge... Pathetic!"
She sighed in impatience. "You should have quit while you were ahead, Himitsu."
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Kagome breathed deeply, enjoying the feel of clean air filtering through her lungs. Giggling, she patted down her knee-length, navy blue business skirt and entered the eighteen story building. It felt so good to be out of Sannojikutsu and back in the city that was bustling with civilized life!
Having taken a personal day off, she found it the perfect time to do a little research.
Badge in hand, she approached the front desk. The woman, currently typing in a fevrous fashion, was occupied on the phone, her words a blur to Kagome. Whatever she was speaking, it wasn't native.
Placing the reciever down with a sigh, the brunette turned a smiling face to her. "May I help you, officer?"
"I'm looking for record files of Terashima Suki-Taiyo's latest cases. Specifically those of Himitsu Inuyasha, Mujaki Miroku, Fuji Niju, and Fuji Jutsujin," Kagome began. Her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own, scanning the room around them. On instinct, she sent out a few stray energy waves in search for any suspicious glitches. None. Turning back to the secretary, she smiled. "Also, any files linking Terashima to Onigumo Naraku, warden of Sannojikutsu, would be much appreciated."
The woman, naturally curious, raised an eyebrow. "May I ask you reason for those specific files, officer?" She waved her arms quickly, "I know it's not my place! But..."
"I'm sorry," Kagome responded, a slightly apologetic look in her eyes. "I can't give any information. This is very confedential."
"I understand completely." She smiled, turning back to the computer. A few minutes passed by, accompanied by the furious clicks of the keyboard. "I'm sorry, officer. The files you requested are currently being viewed by Officer Zi."
'Zi!'
Kagome's eyes narrowed. "This Officer Zi... Is he related to Jiromaru or Kageroumaru?"
"Yes," she nodded. "Goshinki is their youngest brother."
'Naraku, you sneaky bastard. Your connections spread further than I expected. I really must give you credit for this one...'
With a sigh of defeat, the young officer thanked the woman for her time and left the building, shielding her eyes against the blaring sun.
And four months later, right on cue, she welcomed Kitaru Shi (Shadow) and Kitaru Houke (Hawk) to Sannojikustu.
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. The next one should be out within the next two months. Please review.
Next chapter: Half Time