It's okay, people! I updated, so I won't have to lose my head! Yaaayyy!
Ch. 3: Login 2—Mysteries of both worlds
"Hey, Kagome, what's this?"
"Oh, that? It's a Chaos Gate. We can access areas and events there, depending on level and keywords."
"Oh…"
"So do you wanna train, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.
"Sure, why not? I have to get stronger if I want to protect ya, right?"
"Yeah, I suppose. We'll go to a beginner's level. Hold my hand!"
Inuyasha did as she said.
"Okay! Bursting Passed over Aqua Field!"
Inuyasha gasped as they were teleported to a small meadow.
"Oh, look!" Kagome squealed, pointing to a purple cat with floppy ears. "It's a Cat Player Character!"
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.
"That's a cat? It looks like a rabbit to me."
"But see the tail? It's a kitty!"
"Huh. I don't like cats. Can't stand 'em, in all honesty. It's probably something I picked up from my idiot brother."
"Yeah, but its different here. I checked out the archives and found out that there was a couple of other Cat Players that were legend. Mia was the first…and Maha too. She was really pretty…"
PING!
"Inu, you've got mail!"
Kagome pointed to a letter over his head.
"Well I'll be damned. Pretty nifty."
He checked his e-mail.
Meet me at the Mac Anu bridge.
"Well?" Kagome pressed.
"We just got in this damned area and we already have to leave!" Inuyasha ranted. "This letter wants us to go to this Mac Anu place. Where's that?"
Kagome sweatdropped.
"That's our root town, stupid!" she yelled. "Didn't you read the manual! It's where we go to when we first log into the World!"
"Uh…oops…"
"Just select 'gate out' from your options menu," Kagome explained. "We'll end up right back at the Chaos Gate at Mac Anu."
"Okay."
After gating back to the city, Kagome practically dragged Inuyasha to the bridge.
"Here it is! Ooh, I wonder who it was! Did they sign the e-mail, Inu?"
Inuyasha thought back a moment.
"Um…nope, they didn't sign it."
Suddenly, a flash of white passed in front of them.
"Whoa:O Look, it's an angel!" Kagome said, using an emoticon for the first time.
"I am no angel. Merely an Inu Youkai/ Blademaster."
"Hey, was it you who e-mailed me?" Inuyasha demanded.
"Indeed," the stranger said. "I merely wanted to see you face-to-face. And I thought you should see me. As for who I am…I shall leave that to you…"
"What's that supposed to mean? What are you tryin' to pull!" Inuyasha snarled.
"I just think that my identity should become obvious to you soon," the white-haired stranger said. "Akamaru!"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"Are the preparations done for our tournament?"
"Just finished," Akamaru replied. He was a Wavemaster with electric-blue hair and a data book tucked under his arm. The nameless stranger nodded slightly.
"Very well."
He bowed.
"I thank you for coming, young man and fair lady…"
"I'm Inuyasha and she's Kagome, get it right," the half dog said apprehensively.
"Ah, yes. Well, I bid thee farewell. There are matters that require my specific attention. Perhaps we shall meet again, milady, and you too, little Inuyasha."
"I ain't little!" Inuyasha retorted, a vein popping on his forehead.
"Of course not," the stranger said with an amused twinkle in his golden eyes. His tail twitched a tiny bit, and he stroked it where it came over his shoulder regally before turning to leave.
"Oh," he added as an afterthought, "and by the way, a good level for you two would be Endless Smiling Touchstone."
After he left, Inuyasha snorted.
"What a jackass!"
"Nah, he was okay," Kagome said. "Stuck up, but otherwise okay. And he was right too! Endless Smiling Touchstone is a level one area: great for beginners!"
"…Feh!"
"Akamaru, do you think they suspect me yet?"
"Doesn't seem that way, Sesshoumaru-san. Is he really your little brother?"
"Of course!"
"I see it in the eyes and hair, but that's just in the World, you know. It's hard to tell whether the character was just programmed that way. But I see his rashness matches yours…"
Akamaru smiled. Mission Accomplished! He thought sardonically as Sesshoumaru's eyebrow twitched.
"So anyway…are you going to tell him?"
"You're being a bit too bold for an assistant. Those are family matters, you know, Akamaru-kun," Sesshoumaru shot nastily, yet playfully. This time, it was Akamaru's turn to be put on the spot.
"Yeah, well…I'm sorry; I am going out of line saying that…"
"I grant you the privilege to converse with me about it. I can face the truth."
"But still…it's your own father, right?"
"Father…he loved this game so much. He even convinced me to like it when I thought I was lost and never would…"
Sesshoumaru's eyes flickered; for a moment, his face looked sad. However, it soon slipped back behind the look of stoicism he normally showed.
"I have a feeling we will be visiting our father soon, and not just in the hospital," he said levelly.
"Sir?" Akamaru said questioningly. "What are your orders? I'm ready."
"I will be checking over the Tanabata event layout, and then I shall log out."
"Understood," Akamaru confirmed.
"See you later, Akamaru."
Sesshoumaru gated out to do his business, then flash-mailed his brother
"Hn. I got another e-mail."
Come home, Inuyasha. We're going out. I'll join you shortly for lunch, or something…
-Sesshoumaru
"Uh…hey, Kagome, I gotta log out. Sesshoumaru is calling."
"Well, it's okay. I'll log out and plug my stuff at home."
"Sorry."
"Well, it's not anyone's fault. I don't mind. See ya!"
Sesshoumaru took a deep breath, and then called the executives of CC Corporation.
"Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"I was wondering if I may receive my paycheck a week early. I know it is frequent for me to ask and you have my sincerest apologies for the lack of professionalism, but I have spent my last check on rent and food. You know my situation and I am afraid that I require the money…"
"We understand, but regret to inform you that we are unable to grant your request this week. It isn't easy to support an administrator as…erratic as you, but we do this out of respect of your charisma and the Western Lands…You know we often help you."
"Yes, and I respect that. I am grateful…It's okay. I think we'll manage for a while. I've seen worse times. At any rate, I'm afraid I shall have to log out early. I will make up the hours during Kikyo's shift. You have my promise.
"Very well."
"Thank you, sirs."
Sesshoumaru cut off the transmission and rolled his eyes.
Gold-digging bastards; only think about their own wallets. Oh, well…
Inuyasha paced his room, waiting impatiently for Sesshoumaru. He knew that his brother was probably badgering for an early pay, which was much needed, but would probably not happen.
Suddenly, he heard the telltale clatter of Sesshoumaru's logout. He smiled. Now, maybe he could eat!
Inuyasha ran up to his brother expectantly, but just as his mouth opened, Sesshoumaru spoke.
"I don't have any money, Inu. We don't have any more food, either."
The younger boy sighed in frustration.
"Well then, where are we goin'?"
"To see Father."
Inuyasha perked up a bit.
"Oh, cool! We haven't visited him in a while!"
R and R for the love of Sesshoumaru!
