(One day after the end of the last chapter - no the "current" time.)

Kagome closed her office door before turning around. She carefully balanced six file folders in her hands, while still keeping a cookie jammed firmly in her mouth. This, my friends, is seven-something years of practiced precision.

Inuyasha walked past her, snatching the cookie from her mouth and eating it himself. "No eating in the halls." He mused aloud. Kagome shot a glare into his back.

"Chocolate is deadly to dogs." She called at him. He chocked for a moment before gaining his composure. "It's not chocolate, it's your cooking. What did you put into these? Corn starch?" He said, holding it up to prove a point.

"What's this about my cookies?" Sango asked, coming up behind them. Kagome giggled to herself. "Now you've done it."

A brief moment of silence brought them all back to reality.

"Guys, has anyone heard anything from him?" Sango asked.

Kagome and Inuyasha both shook their heads. "Not a word. I'm kind of worried." Kagome admitted. Inuyasha shook his head again. "Look, no one wants to hear this but… this is what it comes down to, friendships and all that other stuff aside. We have a trained, potentially deadly weapon out there. Don't forget, this guy could easily pick all of us off if he felt the need to."

"That must be true if Inuyasha is willing to admit it." Sango snorted under her breath.

Inuyasha ignored the comment. "The likely hood of that happening is low, Sango, but we need to keep it in our minds…" Inuyasha sighed, he knew what he had to say, he just didn't want the words to come from his mouth. "We may end up having to shoot and even kill him. No one wants to hear it, but when you get down to it… we may not have a choice."

A loud slap could be heard all the way from the Forensics branch.

Inuyasha slowly turned his head back to Kagome, the red outline starting to form as the girl was on the verge of tears. "Don't you ever say that again. You hear me? I don't ever want you to say, yet alone think, like that ever again."

"Kagome… Inuyasha is right…"

"Not you too Sango. I can't believe I am hearing this! There must be some other option!"

"Kagome, we don't know yet. I'm just saying, if worse comes to worse…"

Inuyasha trailed off as Kagome stormed away from him.

(Downtown Market)

Kagome was no where near her best mood. She had just been told that she may have to shoot her best friend. That was not an options. And besides, she knew somehow, that if it ever came down to it… she knew Bryan wouldn't shoot her. He couldn't… could he?

A small pinch on her rear snapped Kagome from her thoughts. She turned around to see a lone man standing with a smirk on his face. "Well hello sweet cheeks."

Kagome didn't like the man's voice. When he reached for her she flipped him onto his back, but she was immediately held back by four of his friends.

"That wasn't very nice of you. I was hoping to make this easy."

(Nearby Rooftop)

Bryan didn't know how she hadn't yet noticed him. He had followed her from HQ all the way here. His breakdown rifle stored nicely in the leather case. Just because he was planning punishment, didn't mean he still didn't wish to protect his former team.

As Bryan watched with binoculars from the rooftop, he was Kagome being grabbed by five men. In a matter of seconds, he had assembled his rifle, and had a clear shot.

"Stop, I'm a cop! You can't do this!" Kagome's yells could be heard from his vantage point.

Don't worry, they won't.

For some reason, no one in the market paid much attention to the trouble at their doorstep. It was only when Kagome's attacker looked like he was about to touch her again did Bryan shoot.

(Kagome's Location)

Kagome watched as the man reached for her chest. Just before his hand could touch her his head exploded. The other four looked around yelling at each other before taking off. Kagome ducked low and grabbed her radio from a small gym bag.

"Anyone out there! This is 27 Adam, I've just been attacked and now I'm taking possible sniper fire! Downtown Market! Someone, help!"

"Kagome? It's me, Sango, calm down. Me and Inuyasha are on the way. Code 3."

Kagome was grateful, while Bryan just smiled from his pearch, reaching for a small radio he had with him.

"Hello Kagome."

(Inuyasha's Location)

Inuyasha nearly crashed the car hearing Bryan's voice on the radio.

"Bryan? Where are you?"

"If I tell you, it won't be much of a secret."

"Everyone is worried about you. Why don't you come to base? We can help!"

"No Kagome. Are you ok? I saw those men."

There was a moments silence.

"You saw them? Did you shoot that man?"

"He was going to hurt you. I had no choice."

"Thank you."

Inuyasha couldn't help it, he grabbed his radio.

"Bryan? Bryan! You old war dog, where the hell are you?"

"Watching you backs for you. You're getting lazy, Inuyasha. Some other guy almost groped your mate."

"Don't lecture me! Where are you! We've been worried sick!"

There was no return. "Bryan?"

"Bryan?"

"Shit, Kagome he's not going to respond. Are you ok?"

"Yah, I'm fine. Bryan, if your still listening, thanks."

Bryan watched as Inuyasha tracked Kagome scent through the crowd before leaving the area, knowing full well, that Kagome was safer now.

(Local Hotel)

Bryan set the case on the ground without even turning on the light. He entered the bathroom and quickly brushed his teeth before laying on the bed.

When he hit the sheets he expected them to be soft. Not lumpy and with… what's this… claws?

"Shit." Escaped him as he stood quickly, snatching a his hidden weapon from a cabinet before turning the lights on.

Ouka just smiled at the ceiling.

Bryan panted. "I could of shot you!"

"Not likely." She said, holding up the ejected clip. In his haste Bryan didn't notice it was gone.

"There's still one in the chamber!"

"This one?" She asked, holding a single bullet in her claws. "Wouldn't do much damage anyway, being rubber tipped and all."

Bryan lowered the weapon. "How did you find this place? Who else knows?" He asked, pouring two glasses of sake, handing one to the demon.

"I've been following you since you shot the guy at the market. Nice shot by the way. All I had to do was sneak in here while you sat in the restaurant. And you say Inuyasha is getting sloppy."

"So… now what? Going to turn me in to Inuyasha and the others?"

"Nope. Inuyasha actually gave me finding you as my first assignment."

"Well, good job. Now what though?"

"Well, I'll report back to him later on. He did tell me to tell you this. Off the records, and off the books: Some STF resources are available to you. Mostly me, thought. I've been placed on supposed leave and I'll be your unofficial partner in crime."

"Thanks but no thanks. I'm on my own in this."

"No you're not."

"I'm not going to win this one, am I?"

Her voice changed from serious, to slightly aloof. "Nope."

Bryan sighed, sitting in a chair. "Alright, get some sleep, tomorrow, the storm begins."

"What are you doing?" Ouka asked after a moment.

"Sleeping in the chair. You get the bed."

"Get over here." She said, holding up the covers.

Bryan rolled his eyes, settling in just behind the wolf demon.

And at some point that night, they had managed to cuddle each other. And in his sleep, Bryan had managed to put his arms around Ouka's waist. And that night, for the first time in the few nights since the death of his mate, Bryan had a good nights rest.

(End Chap)

A/N: Sorry this took so long. I've been going through CAPT testing for a good two weeks now.