Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or anything related to him.
Hidden FiresChapter Nine: The Phantoms
When the girls were thirteen, they lived completely separate lives. Sango lived with both of her parents, and her little brother, Kohaku. Ayame lived with her grandfather in the mountains up north. And Kagome lived on a shrine with her mother and her little brother, Souta. None of them knew each other in the slightest sense, nor knew of their intertwined destinies. That is, until he came. And then everything changed.
Of all the three, Sango had to be the most unluckiest, because she was the first to meet him. When she arrived home from school, after another normal day, he was waiting for her, sitting in the living room with her parents.
He was, he had explained, there to interview her for a special scholarship awarded to particularly talented students. She met the requirements, he said, so would she be interested in attending a school for her talents? Of course her parents leapt at the idea, and Sango left the following week, not knowing she would never see her parents again.
The same thing happened to both Ayame and Kagome in turn, and soon, the three girls met. It wasn't long after that they discovered there was no special school, that it had all been a carefully laid trap for the girls.
Oh, they attended class everyday, with a different teacher each week. But they never learned anything academic. Instead, they were taught how to survive under any means necessary. Each week, they were subjected to a new situation and expected to survive. Even if it meant betraying a comrade, or killing innocents.
When they were fifteen, they made their debut in the Underworld.
By then, they were completely loyal to his every whim. Or so he thought. Sure, they stole whatever they were sent after, assassinated any and all assigned targets, and even managed to lead somewhat normal lives during the day.
But what he didn't realize was, when you're faced with the brink of death, repeatedly, and forced to experience and do things you would never have seen or done in a normal life, it makes you strong. Even more so when you face those things together.
So, while the girls were obeying every command, inside, they were plotting. Plotting on how to make him pay. And they had everything down to a T. So what held them back? Simple.
When you love someone, you don't realize how much until they're gone. And when it comes to family, the bond of love is even stronger. And he knew this. So, in order to ensure the girls' continued cooperation, he threatened the only thing they held precious: their loved ones.
Whenever something seemed impossible, all the girls had to do was close their eyes, and they were home. And when next their eyes opened, they found a way to go on, to do the impossible. All for the sake of love.
Thus, by the time the girls had met the boys, they had almost given up hope. How could they possibly find a way to save their families and escape his grasp at the same time? Easy. It wasn't possible.
Because no matter how many missions Kagome led, or Sango researched, or Ayame supplied, he wasn't going to let them go. And they knew it.
All color seemed to drain from Kagome's face at Sango's words. She immediately started shaking her head in denial. "No, it's not possible. How could Inuyasha be an Enforcer? It's just not possible!" She was desperately looking between Ayame and Sango, waiting for one to deny it.
Unfortunately, Ayame seemed to have lost her ability to speak, and Sango looked deadly serious. In a calm voice that only shook slightly, she quietly related the story Miroku had just told her.
When she was finished speaking, Kagome limply slid down the wall. She pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in them. Inside, she was still screaming that it wasn't true, but she knew, in her heart, that Sango was right.
There was no other possible answer. With a sigh, Sango sat next to her. Of the three, it was Sango who guarded her heart the most, and her emotions. Nothing would be accomplished if she broke down now. Ayame slumped down next to her, and the three sat in silence for a few minutes.
After a bit, Kagome raised her head, wiped her face, and took charge. "All right. There's nothing we can do now, so we might as well make sure this operation goes smoothly. We can't afford to have the government busting our asses and screwing everything up. This time, we have to be prepared for anything, even if it means fighting the people we love. Understood?"
She looked at Sango and Ayame at her sides; they nodded without hesitation. The girls didn't know it then, but the same looks appeared on their faces as in the years of training they had undergone. It was an expression that surpassed determination. If it was possible for ruthlessness, resignation, and anger to be in one look, it was at that moment.
At that moment, the boys were having similar thoughts. They had arrived at their apartment, only to discover a terse message from the Commander on their answering machine. Just three words.
"The park, midnight."
And that could only mean one thing: there was another mission to complete. Inuyasha didn't even flinch at the sound of the voice anymore; three years of hearing commands given in that cold tone had washed away any emotion he might have once felt.
At midnight exactly, the boys sat on a park bench, waiting for the Commander to appear. Ironically, it was the same park bench they had been sitting at when he had first approached them. Then, they had been excited at the idea of serving justice to the world. Now, disillusioned and bitter, they no longer cared.
"Such long faces for heroes of the Underworld." The comment came from the shadows surrounding them. None of the boys made any move at the sound; their reflexes were too conditioned from years of experience.
Only Inuyasha spoke, and only barely. To any passing outsider, it looked like only the three boys sat there. The Commander didn't want it known he knew of the Enforcers.
"Our mission?" Inuyasha asked without emotion. "The Phantoms, of course. Who else?" the Commander replied. "So we're finally going after them?" "Yes." Silence reigned for a few seconds, then a soft clink echoed.
"Your instructions are in the bag behind the bench, as usual. Equipment will be waiting when you return home." The boys barely nodded. They were used to the routine after three years.
"I'm leaving now. Wait the three minutes and leave." The boys nodded again. "Oh, and boys?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow in question. "Whatever you do, do not fail me. Understood?" Without waiting for a reply, the Commander left with the barest whisper. The boys were left to contemplate their final order and wonder at its importance.
A few moments later, the Commander materialized under a street light and lingered. He glanced behind him towards the park. A flicker of emotion appeared in his cold gold eyes, softening them for a fraction of a second. In the next instant, he was gone. If anyone had looked closely, they would have been stunned by the look, for it closely resembled a mixture of regret, sorrow, and pride.
Bright and early Tuesday morning, Kagome's alarm clock woke her at the usual time of 6 a.m. Groaning, she buried her face in her pillow and swatted at the annoying noise. Stumbling out of bed, she blearily looked at her reflection in the mirror and winced.
I look like I've been on a three day drinking binge, she thought distantly.
Her eyes were puffy and red-rimmed from where she had cried herself to sleep the night before, like so many times before. Fresh tears rose to the surface as she remembered the night before.
Why did it have to be Inuyasha? Why couldn't it have been someone else? For once in my life, I deserve to be happy!
Shaking her head free of the depressing thoughts, she switched on the shower and climbed in, getting ready for another day of school.
In Sango's apartment, music blared from the speakers of her sound system as she yanked open her closet, determined not to focus on anything but the new day. What to wear…Something that will drive Miroku nuts, of course. Which would be…Her thoughts trailed off as she spotted the perfect shirt.
"Ah ha!" she cried triumphantly, pulling the shirt off a hanger and holding it up to herself as she peered into the full length mirror. It's missing something, though… Spotting a long strip of cloth on the ground, Sango bent down and picked up the bandanna belt to a favorite pair of jeans. "Perfect!"
Ayame was awake before the other two girls. Rising just as the sun rose in the sky, she padded softly through her living room and to her sliding glass doors. Opening them, she stepped onto the balcony and breathed in deeply. I love the early mornings. The scent of a new day always helps me wake up.
Propping her arms on the rail, she leaned out, staring at the waking city below her. I can only hope that today doesn't end in disaster. But I can't help worrying.
As music began to blare from the apartment next to hers, Ayame sighed and went back inside. "All I can do is get ready for school and pray. Pray that our lives weren't always destined to end in disaster."
The girls pulled into the student parking lot of the school building. The guys were standing by the doors leading inside, hands tucked into their pockets. They smiled as the three girls walked up to them, but it seemed subdued. That is, until Miroku got a good look at Sango.
"Holy shit," he whispered in awe when she stopped in front of him. She just laughed and grabbed his hand to drag him inside. Miroku's remark was directed at her shirt, of course. It was strapless, just like the dress she had worn the night before, but that was where the comparisons ended.
The color was black with silver trim. A hot pink bandanna was tied under the bust line, leaving room for the shirt to billow around her stomach. As the shirt was extremely short, however, it didn't have much room except to move up every time she moved her arms. Miroku peeked over her shoulder.
Every time her arms moved, the shirt dipped down too. He grinned, then silently groaned. Today was going to be…painful, to say the least.
A few seconds later confirmed it when Sango caught where he was looking. "Hentai!" echoed through the commons area just before a loud smack.
Kouga shook his head, grinning. Ayame giggled and hooked her arm through his, walking after the pair. Inuyasha just sighed and shook his head. He started to loop his arm around Kagome's waist, but she grabbed his hand and laced her fingers through his first. This seemed to be important to her, so he shrugged and squeezed her hand in response. She gave him a small smile in return. The trio of couples headed off to class.
Lunch was hilarious, thanks to Miroku and Sango's actions. Kagome noticed that Sango was putting more effort into acting cheerful today. She seemed determined to avoid the subject of Wednesday, and Kagome couldn't agree more. If she thought about it too much, she just might burst into tears. So she joined in the small food fight that seemed to have erupted at their table and let her mind wander.
Ayame glanced between her two best friends. Kagome was the biggest worrier of all three of them, but she seemed to be having fun. Sango was undoubtedly worried as well, but the tug of war she was having with Miroku over a pack of ketchup kept her occupied. All of a sudden, Ayame was sprayed in the face with the sticky red liquid.
"Oh my god, Ayame, I'm so sorry!" Sango apologized. "Here, let me-" She stopped mid-sentence, shrieking. Ayame had calmly wiped the ketchup off her face and smashed her pudding into Sango's face. Sango sat back, blinking in shock for a second, then picked up her milk and took aim.
Miroku got in the way, unfortunately. "Ok, you two! That's enough-!" He stopped as milk splashed all down his shirt, soaking him through. "Oh, that's it," he muttered and picked up his fries. Sango ducked as they were thrown at her, which means they hit Kagome.
Her eyes widened, then narrowed at Miroku, who gulped. Picking up her piece of pizza, she threw it towards Miroku, who ducked as well. Kagome almost fell off her seat, she was laughing so hard. The sight of Kouga peeling a piece of cheese pizza off his face sent the rest of the group into hysterics.
A vein pulsed in his cheek as he picked up his hamburger. "You guys…" he growled. "Food fight!" Sango choked out, grabbing her own food to defend herself. Fifteen minutes, the entire table, and everyone sitting at it, was covered in an assortment of different foods.
The girls stood up, grinning. Kagome calmly pulled a random piece of broccoli out of her hair as she walked away with Sango and Ayame, not deigning to speak to the boys. Inside the girl's locker rooms, the three stripped, took quick showers, and headed back to class.
The group met up after school, and unanimously agreed no to discuss the food throwing incident yet. Kagome was holding Inuyasha's hand and walking down the hall to the doors that led to the student parking lot when something large and wet hit her in the back of the head
She froze where she stood, reaching a hand up to see what it was when she was pelted with another wet object, this time one that cracked when it hit her. Sango and Ayame had already figured out what was happening and spun around, only to be hit in the face with another flying missile.
Kagome dropped Inuyasha's hand and shoved him towards Kouga and Miroku, who were watching helplessly in the background. "Turn around, bitch! It's your turn to get what's coming to you!" Kikyo's voice held a sing song quality to it that nagged the hell out of Kagome.
Turning in one swift move, she caught the next egg that came flying her way. Next to her, Sango had two rotten tomatoes in her hands and Ayame had three other eggs she'd snagged out of mid air. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, Kikyo. I'd given you credit in assuming you had a brain. Now I realize my own stupidity," Kagome murmured.
"Girls…" That one word gave Ayame and Sango the permission they had been waiting for. Throwing their own missiles, they two instantly split up and rushed Kikyo and her group silently, taking them by surprise. Sango grabbed two girls by the shirts and slung them to the ground, knocking them unconscious in the process. Ayame grabbed another two and twisted their arms behind their backs, forcing them to their knees.
That only left Kikyo to Kagome.
She quietly walked up to the horrified girl. Kagome hefted the egg she had in her hand, looking at it, then smashed it in Kikyo's face. "Now who's got egg on her face, Kikyo?" she asked. Leaving the five girls to their thoughts, Ayame, Sango, and Kagome walked off.
The guys were shocked. In less than a minute, the girls had revealed a ruthless side to them that they had never seen before. And they way they moved… Silent and deadly, just like Phantoms…Inuyasha thought to himself. But it's not possible…is it? They don't seem the type at all…
Wiping themselves off, the girls walked back to the locker rooms to shower off, leaving the guys to follow or go home. They chose to follow, unanswered questions in their eyes.
When Ayame stepped out of the locker room, dressed in her gym clothes for lack of anything else to wear, Kouga immediately snagged her arm. "What's going on, Ayame?" She looked at him mutely, unable to answer the question without asking Kagome for permission. She just shook her head and stepped away as Sango came out.
Backing away from him, Ayame joined Sango, well away from the boys. Kagome joined them a second later. "What's with all the tense faces?" she asked. "Kouga wants to know what's up," Ayame replied quietly. Kagome's face scrunched up for a second before looking at the boys. "We can't tell them just yet. They're still getting used to us," she finally said. Sango and Ayame nodded.
"They're plotting something," Kouga muttered. Miroku just sighed. Inuyasha shifted positions, leaning back against the lockers behind him. "When they want to tell us, they will," he stated. "But Inuyasha! You saw the way they moved! As if stalking prey, deadly as a viper," Kouga protested.
"Of course I saw. There is a good chance those three are the Phantoms," Inuyasha replied tonelessly. Miroku and Kouga fell back, shocked. "No. I refuse…They can't be!" Miroku sputtered incoherently. Inuyasha smiled ferally. "I guess we'll find out tomorrow night, then, won't we?"
"I'll see you tomorrow morning," Kagome said to Inuyasha, kissing him on the cheek. He nodded, a strange look in his eyes as he stared at her. He knows. A shiver of apprehension danced it's way down her spine, sending danger signals to her brain. "We'll try to be here a little earlier." So we can spend as much time with you as possible before we have to say goodbye forever.
"Don't worry so much Kouga, you'll get wrinkles," Ayame teased. "I know, Ayame, it's just-" She cut him off with a look. "I promise I'll explain soon. Just trust me until then, ok?" she asked, a slight pleading note in her voice. He nodded and sighed, resigned. Please, God, keep him safe from me. I don't want to have to kill him, too.
"If you even think about groping me when I'm trying to say goodbye, you won't be able to stand for a week!" Sango threatened Miroku. He sheepishly brushed a hand through his hair, looking so adorable that Sango just had to kiss him. When she pulled away, he whispered in her ear, "I really, really love that shirt. It makes you look…edible." She blushed all the way down to her toes. I love him so much! Don't take him from me, too! I don't think I could handle losing him, as well…
The three girls slumped against the elevator wall as it made it's way up to the 13th floor. They were quiet, each to busy with their own thoughts. When the door dinged open, then stepped through automatically, heading for Kagome's apartment. Once inside, they all flopped in random places in the living room. Silence reigned until Sango broke it.
"They know." Kagome looked at her from the couch. "I know," she whispered.
Across town, the guys were slumped in similar positions in the apartment they shared. It was spacious, with three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, dining area, and living room. Miroku looked up from his position on the floor. "Inuyasha…" he trailed off. Inuyasha lifted his head from the couch and looked at him. "What?" he growled.
"I don't want to fight them," Miroku whispered. Kouga snorted from his position in a recliner. "Yeah. You wanna be the one to tell the Commander why we don't wanna do this mission? 'Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I can't go tomorrow night because then I'll have to fight my girlfriend in a life or death situation,'" he mocked.
Miroku looked at him, his pride stung. "You don't want to fight them any more than I do!" he shouted. Kouga said nothing. "Enough," Inuyasha intoned.
Sitting up with a sigh, he rubbed the back of his neck. "We don't have any choice. We go tomorrow night as planned and hope to god they can find a way to escape. Otherwise…" He left the sentence hanging. He didn't need to say it.
The other two were thinking the exact same thing.
Otherwise, they would either have to sentence the Phantoms to life long imprisonment or death. Neither option was appealing.
A/N: New chapter. Sorry about all the scene changes. I'm so dead for that cliff hanger…
-S.S.S.