Different Sides of the Track
Chapter 17: Hurtful words and Broken promises
"I'd go back to Kikyo right now if I could!"
Those words stung. Kagome had put her trust into InuYasha, something she didn't do lightly. She had even slept with him. And he still said those words. Something happened at that meeting with Naraku. She just knew it. The whole thing made her uneasy, which was why she was so hesitant to let him go alone. He was gone for most of the day. She trained while he was off doing god knows what.
And she had a feeling it wasn't training a new recruit. That wouldn't put InuYasha on the edge. Maybe if the girl was like Kouga in attitude, but there was no way there could be more than one Kouga in this world.
Speaking of whom, where was he? Not even Ayame could tell her where he went during the days. That picture was wrong as well. He was a valuable member of the team, if he wasn't there to fight, then their chances would decrease drastically.
The ringing cell phone brought her out of the daze she was in. Coffee wasn't that interesting of a thing to stare at, even though she had been staring at a half full cup of the substance for over 20 minutes.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Kagome, I'm glad I caught you."
"What do you want Naraku?"
"Manners Kagome, manners."
Kagome sighed at looked around. No one was in the isolated dinner besides a trucker and a waitress. They were a little busy at the moment.
"I have a new job for you."
"I'm not really in the mood for a job Naraku."
"I don't care do I? Now, you and a new addition will be working together on this mission. She is a miko as well. You will need to use both of your powers for this mission. The item I want is heavily guarded against Youkai and Humans alike. Just come to my office in the next 20 minutes. Got it?"
"Yeah I got it."
"Good."
Flipping the cell phone closed, Kagome dropped 30 dollars onto the table and grabbed her helmet. Walking out of the diner, she passed a homeless man sitting next to the door. Sighing she dropped a five into his coffee cup and mounted her bike. She never could pass up the chance to help someone.
"She'll be here in a few minutes Kikyo. Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"She's new here so she wont recognize you. Do you have an alias ready?"
Smirking, Kikyo nodded. Naraku simply sat down and waited, Kagome walked threw the door not five minutes after their conversation had ended. Naraku's office was still dark, so it was hard for her to get a good look at her new partner.
The woman was covered in shadows, but her spirit was obviously well trained. The only things Kagome was able to pick up from her was the fact that she had some spiritual powers, the reading on those however, were not possible to obtain. This woman was masking herself so as not to let Kagome rate her level. If kagome was the more powerful miko, she would take the opportunity to control the mission. If the woman turned out to be stronger, then kagome would have to step down and work together.
But the woman was not allowing that. She seemed to want Kagome to be unsure of herself. Wanting the weird silence to end, Kagome decided to be the first to break the quiet.
"Hi. Your new here right?"
"In a way yes."
"Well I'm Kagome. Who are you?"
"My name is Fukushuu. You seem to be very powerful. How long have you been training?"
Kagome blinked. This woman's name was Fukushuu? Who would name their child revenge?
"I've been training for about 4 years. Why?"
"No reason really. Only four years huh? That's not too long for the extent of power you posses."
"Kaede was a great teacher. She taught me how to tap into my real power. I haven't fully tapped it though. So I am more powerful then this."
"Did you say Kaede?"
"Yeah you know her?"
"No just sounded familiar."
'No wonder the girl has so much power. What have you been up dear little sister? Training someone to take my place I see.' Kikyo sat thinking to herself. If this girl had been training for four years, and still hadn't reached her full potential, then there was a slight chance that she would never reach it. In fact, Kikyo was rather certain that she would not reach the highest potential of a miko.
"You two pay attention. Talk your girl talk later. I have a mission for you and you will complete it."
Both girls snapped back to attention and turned away from each other.
"As you know, the city of Japan has four main demon lords. The lord of the west is an Inu Youkai. The lord of the East is a Tiger Youkai. To the north is a Falcon Youkai and to the South is a Dragon Youkai. The two of you are assigned to steal two items from each of these lords. From the Inu Youkai, two very powerful swords. The Tensaiga and the Tetsiaga. From the Tiger Youkai, a jewel called the Shikon No Tama and a monks' staff that is a sharp as the sharpest blade. From the Falcon, a bladed boomerang made from ancient demon bones and a set of armor. Finally, from the Dragon, a long bow with arrows made from the legendary Goshinbuko tree, and another sword that can easily change its size and shape, but keeps its deadly point."
"And you want all of these stolen tonight?"
"Not a problem for me."
Kagome stared unbelievingly at Fukushuu. She was nuts! There was no way that they could steal eight items from the top four Youkai in all of Japan in one night!
"You and I are probably the strongest mikos around, Kagome. Youkai are weaker then us. They are vile beings that can easily be purified."
"That doesn't mean that this will be easy! The top four Youkai who are pretty rich and powerful, will be surrounded by guards! Not ones that can easily be pushed over. And there are only eight hours left till the sun starts to rise! Its near 10:30!"
"Which is why I want you and Fukushuu to start tomorrow. Stake out the guards and the houses. Figure out your best plan of action, and attack at night. But only one lord per night."
Sighing Kagome just nodded. Naraku motioned that she could leave so she did. She walked out of the room, coming to the elevator. Kagura was there as well, along with Ayama.
"Hold the elevator please!"
Ayama stuck her hand out and made the sliding door stop. Running into the little cube, Kagome let out a small thanks before hitting the button to the ground floor. Both Ayama and Kagura were going below that, so she would be the first to get off.
"Long time no see Kagome. Havin fun trainin with the mutt?"
"Don't call him that Ayama! He's really a nice guy… sometimes."
"Aww, little Kagome get her heart broken?"
"No I didn't Kagura! And it'd be non of your damn business!"
"Yeah Kagura. Gawd, what's gottan in ta you?"
"Why are you on her side? She's a human."
"So? She's still a nice person."
"Well being around her is making me sick. Her miko scent is burning my nose!"
Ayama snorted a feminine snort and sighed. She gave an apologetic look to Kagome, and then glanced back at Kagura. Kagura was frowning and glaring at her.
"What?"
"Your standing up for a human. Naraku won't like that very-"
Before Kagura could finish her sentence, she found herself hanging two feet above the ground, Ayama's tight hold griping at her throat.
"Naraku is NOT gonna find about this now is he?"
Gurgling was all that came from Kagura's throat. But it was too much for her to be responding in the manner Ayama wanted. She tightened her grip, a dangerous glint coming to her eyes.
"IS HE KAGURA?"
"Let her go your going to kill her!"
Ayama looked at Kagome. The human looked concerned. For a person like Kagura? Kagura was the type to turn on you for her own purposes. Why would Kagome care?
"What does it matter to you Kagome?"
"She doesn't need to die. If you kill her now anyway, Naraku will see. These mirrors are cameras you know?"
Kagome tilted her head towards one of the walls. Ayama dropped her hand and Kagura fell ungracefully to the floor, smirking.
"Y-you'll get it now Ayama."
Ayama glared and kicked Kagura in the stomach. She fell unconscious right before the elevator stopped and Kagome stepped off.
"Byes Kagome!"
'Ayama sure is different then what I thought she would be.' Kagome thought to herself. 'She seems like a friend but she is one of Naraku's best… where does that put her?'
Kagome thought to herself as she walked out of the building. She stopped thinking only to get her bike ready, then headed off towards Sango's. She really needed to talk to someone about InuYasha's behavior.
Dreaming was a fun thing for Sango. When she dreamt, nothing hurt. Her family was back with her. An insane maniac didn't employ her boyfriend. Her best friend's boy friend wasn't cheating with his dead ex girlfriend. Everything was good in her dreams.
But her dreams were disturbed when she sensed a familiar presence in her apartment. She got up from the bed, grabbed her robe, made sure Miroku was still sleeping and walked out to the front room.
Kagome was sitting on the couch when Sango walked in. She took one look at the girl. Kagome was obviously tired. That was apparent. Something seemed to be bothering her mind, emotionally. He face was worried and stressed. Eyes downcast to the bottom of the coffee table.
"Hey Sango."
"Hi Kagome."
"I have a new job. And a new partner…"
"What's wrong? The job too hard for you?"
"It might be Sango, it might be. You know about the Youkai Lords of the Japan right?"
"Who doesn't?"
"Right. So do you know anything about their security?"
"…Why?"
"I have to steal two artifacts from each of them. One a night. And only one other person is helping me. A miko, named Fukushuu, who might be stronger then me."
"Well has she had more training?"
"I think she might have trained under the same teacher I did. Kaede doesn't like for her students to brag about their teacher. Meaning her. And the girl recognized Kaede's name."
"Oh."
"So what do you know about the Youkai Lords' defenses? I only have tomarrow to find out about all of them. Any information would help me so much Sango."
Sango sat down next to Kagome and sighed. InuYasha was going to kill her… but if Kagome needed this information badly then she would get.
"Well… I only know about the Lord of the Western Lands' defenses. I know a lot about them actually. He has many demon wards on the outsides of his lands. Those should be no problem for you. This other miko is no part Youkai is she? Because the wards are the most powerful ones a person can have placed on an object or area."
"No. I didn't sense any demonic forces on her person, save for those you can acquire from being around demons."
"Good. That's only the first out of five major defenses. The second is for humans. Basic traps like pits and demons that are trained to kill humans. There are also going to be little wires that will sound an alert to all in the area. The third level is specifically for mikos. This is going to be the hardest for you two."
Kagome nodded and kept close attention as Sango described the defenses she and Fukushuu would have to go threw. While the two of them had been talking, a certain cursed palmed monk walk to the doorway.
Sango finished telling Kagome of the last string of magical defenses when she sensed Miroku.
"Miroku why don't you come sit with us? And bring the coffee in your hands for sure."
"Why would I have the coffee if I wasn't going to share it with you and Kagome, Sango dear?"
"Hmmph."
"Thanks Miroku."
After handing each of them a cup of steaming coffee, Miroku sat down on the chair next to the couch. He took a sip of coffee then cleared his throat. Kagome paid attention almost instantly, but Sango took another drink of her coffee with her eyes closed.
"Sango dear. InuYasha is not going to be happy with you."
" I know that Miroku."
"Why will he be mad with her?"
Both of them looked to each other, coming to a silent agreement. If she knew this much already, she might as well know the rest. They turned to her and Miroku spoke.
"He told us that if we ever told anyone about his secret, then we would be, erm, very uncomfortable for the rest of our shortened lives."
"We only found out after we followed Sesshomaru and InuYasha to a family dinner they were having. I was amazed that they didn't sense us, but I guess it was just something we needed to know."
"What's it?"
"InuYasha and Sesshomaru are Royalty."
"Their father is the Great Inu Youkai Lord of the western lands, InuTaisho."
Blinking Kagome absorbed this.
"Well. That does complicate things a little bit."