Hello! I'm happy that you like his new classmates -Logan was really fun to create.
We're on Fall break right now- I loves it. I've been playing FFX a lot -I'm stuck on the mecha battle with the gattling gun and mana ray. Stupid mech.
Enjoy!
Into the Fray
Chapter 11
Secret Messaging
A week rolled slowly by. In that time period, I hadn't seen Stepmother once since -and I was happy for it. Though, her absence was starting to make me wonder -it meant she was up to something. And the longer she was gone, the more horrid the plan. Still, I didn't pay too much attention to it since it was Saturday.
I was lying on my bed, face up, daydreaming. It was rather nice -one of the perks to American schooling was that the entire Saturday was off -none of this getting off at noon business. Also, there was no band rehearsal. So this was really the first day I had to myself in quite a while.
However, I was beginning to feel a bit homesick. It was strange though -I really missed the Higurashis, not just Mrs. Higurashi's food, but all of them. Even the girl. I sighed and began to stare at my ceiling. What's she doing? I found myself wondering. How is she…?
I frowned at myself for thinking like a wuss. Why was I even concerned? She was annoying. She had no sense of humor. She was a measly clarinet player that whined too much. But she had the most beautiful eyes…
I nearly choked. How had I thought that! I sat upright in my bed and began to pound at my temples with my closed fists. I can't think like that! It's wrong! What's wrong with me? But of course, right then, my half-brother decided to step into my room.
I heard the door open and I looked up -my fists still clenched against the sides of my head- to see him in the doorway, dressed very formally, his poker face betraying a bit of amusement. "Maybe I should come back later…" he said softly, and red went through my cheeks.
"Wait!" I called, and he stopped. Why I stopped him, I really don't know, but I didn't want to see him leave. "What do you want?" I asked a little rough to repair my masculine image. He turned to me, and then came into the room completely after closing the door behind him.
He pulled something large and gray from under his arm and handed to me. I then saw that it was a laptop. Completely confused, I looked up at him. Was this some kind of trick? Was this part of Stepmother's supposed scheme I thought she was cooking? I tried to find the answers in his expression, but his poker face was on full. He stared down at me coldly for a moment, and then said softly, "That's for you."
My eyes narrowed. "From who?"
His face didn't change. "Me."
My eyebrow quirked. "Why?"
Then, a change in his expression -a mere fraction of a smile graced his lips. It was so slight, someone not looking for it wouldn't have noticed. "Because I want you to win."
"Win what?" I asked.
He looked at me as if I was dumb. "Against Mother. I have grown tired of her antics. She parades me around like a trophy. I hate it. And now, she wants you to wither and die in this drab city -something she wants very much. Seeing as how you are the only somewhat competent family I have, I do not wish for that to happen."
I looked back down at the laptop, and then back up to him. "Then… why didn't you do anything before?"
He leaned in a little closer, and I could see something stir in his eyes. "Do you really think you were the only one she abused?"
I was in shock. What…? "You mean…" I began slowly, but he cut me off before I could finish my sentence.
"Do not worry about it," he stated coldly as he erected from his slight bow. "It's not important. Right now, all you need to worry about is yourself. As you probably guessed, Mother is planning something for you. What, I don't now. All that I do know is that it's nasty. Prepare yourself for it. Watch your back." He pointed to the laptop. "Contact one of your friends in Japan. Make sure that they can come and get you."
The eyebrow went up again. "But… even if I get back to Japan somehow, won't she just come and get me?"
A larger fraction of a smile reentered his face. "Don't worry about it. You just contact your friends. You have a messaging account?"
I blinked. "IM?" He nodded, and I shook my head. He then got out a piece of paper and handed it to me, which had the words "for Juliet" on it.
"My password to AIM, MSN and Yahoo messaging. The e-mail should automatically be on the screen when it comes up. I have cleared all my accounts, so you shouldn't be bombarded by my contacts." He began to rummage around in his poket and I looked at the password again.
I didn't think he even had contacts to chat with… I thought in awe, and then he shoved something else under my nose -a letter. I looked at him, but he said nothing, so I opened it and saw that it was Stepmother's handwriting.
"What's this?" I asked, but he said nothing and only nodded his head to the letter. So, I began to read it.
Edo and Gon-
The time is almost right. Everything is almost in place. I've bribed the police -it was easy to do. It seems the force gets more corrupt each year. Pathetic slobs.
Anyway, I think the right moment should be during the banquet with the Ari company. You two make sure he's taken care of. I do not want one sound. Make it quiet. Make it quick. No blood, nothing. I think poison will do.
The bloody bastard won't know what hit him!
The uneasiness in my gut arose again in full, and I seriously considered the poison might be already being fed to me in my meals. Sessho-Maru cleared his throat and I looked at him. I was now very, very concerned.
"That banquet is a week from now," he stated stoically. "You have until then to get out. I think the servants are on your side -so confiding in them should be useful. Be careful with your food. I would suggest bringing some back from school and throwing away what is being sent up here." He bowed and then turned to the door.
I stopped him again. "So… so you're helping me?"
He turned back to me, and then opened the door as he spoke. "You could call it that. My main objective however, is to punish Mother. She must be stopped. Now, I'm off to be her trophy once again. I think now would be a good time to try and contact someone. Good day." He left, and then I was left to my own devices.
For a moment, I was still in shock. After all these years… he tries to help me? It was strange. I looked back down at the laptop and then threw the complex thoughts running about my head to the winds -Screw figuring him out, I had a computer!
……………………
It took me a while to get to someone that I knew. I found Miroku on MSN and then almost leapt in joy. Furiously, I began to IM him in romanji as fast as I could.
Dog Boy says: Perv! Perv! Are you there! HEY!
I waited for a moment, and then a message appeared on the screen.
Every lady's dream says: Inu? That you, man?
I almost cried in relief. I had contact to someone in Japan! It could have very well been one of the best days in my living memory. I began typing again.
Dog Boy says: Yes! Oh, is it good to talk to you! Man, I'm head-deep in shit over here.
Every lady's dream says: lol. I imagine. What's wrong? Those American hoochies too much for you?
It was almost a relief to hear… er, read that he said that. I laughed to myself and then replied:
Dog Boy says: Hardly. Do I have some weird shit to tell you…
I told him everything that had happened to me since I got off the plane. He didn't say much, from shock or what, I don't know. When I told him about what Sessho-Maru told me (and of what I'd read in the letter) he seemed nervous.
Every lady's dream says: Holy fricken shit. We have to get you out of there! I didn't know that you were in mortal danger!
Dog Boy says: Not many do. But, I don't think anyone can help. I don't have enough money to buy a ticket, and I doubt that you or the Higurashis have the money either. It really looks like I'm stuck here.
Every lady's dream says: You're right… We're barely scraping by from the cost of the upcoming band trips… But you know what? I bet Takegawa'll chip in. I think he's worried.
I was confused at this. Dog Boy says: Takegawa? Worried? About me?
Every lady's dream says: Yeah. And I know for a fact that Kagome's mom is worried -Kagome says she keeps saying that you never call. Or something. And Kagome's worried. She won't say, but I think she knows something's wrong. Did you tell her anything?
I considered what I told her the night before I left. She seemed sorry for me, and the fact that she gave all of those things… I looked to the loose floorboard in recollection. She really was worried about me. I frowned slightly. But why?
Dog Boy says: Not really. Just… how life at Chicago was before. It doesn't matter now. Don't worry about it.
Every lady's dream says: You're keeping something from me, aren't you?
I smirked at Miroku's message. Dog Boy says: Sure am.
Every lady's dream says: You're not gonna tell me, are you?
Dog Boy says: Not planning on it.
Then, there was a pause in the string of messaging. I wondered what he was doing when I saw a highlighted message appear that said, "'clarinet fool' has been added to the conversation".
I blinked. I knew only one clarinet player… Dog Boy says: …Kagome?
A moment, and then: clarinet fool says: yes?
Every lady's dream says: It's inuyasha, kagome.
clarinet fool says: OMG! INUYASHA! Are you okay?
Dog Boy says: Yes… I'm fine.
Every lady's dream says: He just told me that his stepmom was going to try and kill him.
Dog Boy says: Miroku…
clarinet fool says: WHAT!
Every lady's dream says: She is, isn't she?
I sighed at the trombone player's lack of mincing. Dog Boy says: You didn't have to put it so bluntly! Tact, Miroku! Grasp the concept of TACT!
clarinet fool says: SHE'S GOING TO TRY AND KILL YOU!111
Every lady's dream says: Yep.
Dog Boy says: Kagome, get off of Caps Lock.
clarinet fool says: NO! OMG, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! WE'RE BRINGING YOU BACK RIGHT NOW!
Dog Boy says: How, exactly?
There was a pause in the conversation. Every lady's dream says: Magic fairy dust?
clarinet fool says: THIS IS NO TIME TO BE FUNNY, MIROKU!
Every lady's dream says: Of course it is. Someone has to lighten the mood.
Dog Boy says: …true…
clarinet fool says: HOW CAN YOU BE SO FRICKEN CALM!11
Every lady's dream says: Easy. Just imagine yourself weightless, floating in the ocean…
clarinet fool says: INUYASHA, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET OUT! WE HAVE TO BRING YOU BACK!
Every lady's dream says: …with thousands of tiny seahorses surrounding you…
Dog Boy says: I don't know! I just learned about this whole plan to kill me just now! I haven't had any time to think it over!
Every lady's dream says: …tickling your feet, grazing your face…
Dog Boy says: You can stop now, Miroku.
Every lady's dream says: aww…
clarinet fool says: There has to be a way to get you out… When… is she planning to do it?
Dog Boy says: A week from now.
Every lady's dream says: That's not a lot of time. I don't think we can pull enough money for plane tickets.
clarinet fool says: I'll tell my mom. She needs to know. And I'll tell the police.
This was something I didn't want to hear. Dog Boy says: Leave your mom out of this, kagome! she'll really freak out! and what can the japanese police do? i'm in chicago!
clarinet fool says: I'm telling her, inuyasha. She needs to know. I can contact the chicago police and get them to do something!
Dog Boy says: No you can't. Stepmother bribed them. They won't do anything unless you can pay more than what she did -and I doubt that.
Every lady's dream says: Well aren't we screwed?
I sighed. The more I talked with them, the more hopeless I got. And I really was hoping for the opposite effect… Dog Boy says: Look, you're halfway around the world from me. You can't do anything except keep me company. I'll figure out something on my own -don't worry. I have a grace period of a week to think things through.
clarinet fool says: so you're asking us to just bow out?
Dog Boy says: Pretty much.
Every lady's dream says: Fat chance, Bucko.
Dog Boy says: Bucko?
clarinet fool says: there is no way in hell I'm gonna back off now. You're in danger! SHE'S PLANNING TO FREAKING KILL YOU!11
Dog Boy says: OFF THE CAPS LOCK!
Every lady's dream says: You really think that we'll back off after you told us what she's gonna do? You are seriously deluded, my friend.
Dog Boy says: I don't want you getting involved! You don't know how powerful Stepmother is -she'll murder you and no one will know -or care!
Every lady's dream says: your point?
clarinet fool says: if you didn't want us getting involved, then why did you tell us?
Every lady's dream says: nice plan, genius.
For a moment, I was completely flabbergasted. I really didn't want them to risk their necks for me -I could take care of myself. I didn't want them getting in harm's way for me… Dog Boy says: But…
Every lady's dream says: No buts, Einstein. We're gonna do everything we can to help you.
clarinet fool says: including telling the authorities.
Dog Boy says: NO!
Every lady's dream says: Why are you so against it? You'd rather die?
Dog Boy says: No, dumbass. I just…well…
clarinet fool says: inuyasha, nothing's gonna happen to us. We'll be fine.
Every lady's dream says: You're worried about us? I'm touched.
I was made speechless yet again. How did that Higurashi girl see right through me again -and she couldn't even really see me! And what was worse -she revealed her findings to Miroku too. I could just picture him laughing his ass off right about now…
Dog Boy says: Eat it, perv! i don't need any crap from you!
Every lady's dream says: LMAO! kagome was right!
clarinet fool says: i know i am. i always am. Now you just sit tight over there and miroku and i will figure something out.
Dog Boy says: fine! I guess I won't be able to stop you. Jerks.
Every lady's dream says: We love you too. Now, we gotta go because takegawa's making us rehearse again. Talk to you tomorrow?
By this time, I was deflated of emotion. I shook my head and sighed as I typed. Dog Boy says: Sure, why not?
clarinet fool says: be careful!
Dog Boy says: …kay…
Every lady's dream says: Bye dude!
They signed off and I did the same. I closed the laptop and found a place in my now very crammed cupboard for it and sealed the small opening. Sighing for what seemed the millionth time in five minutes, I rolled over on my bed and began to massage my temples.
I really didn't want them to go to such lengths for me. It seemed wrong to me somehow. Like I was being too much of a burden. Not that I would ever tell them that, but still…
My stomach rumbled and I looked to the clock, which read 2:43 pm. I frowned and then decided that right then would be a good time to go get a snack or something. Sneak it from the kitchen. I hopped off of my bed and ventured out into the hallway, where I heard the muffled sounds of conversation and the tinkling of silverware from downstairs.
I cursed. I wouldn't be able to get anything until the dining room was clear. It was the only non-German Shepherd-infested route available. Still, I made my way down the stairs (skipping over the creaking one) and took a tiny peak into the dining room through the small opening in the cracked double doors. Apparently, Stepmother didn't close them all the way.
Through the tiny opening I had, I saw about thirty people -including Sessho-Maru sitting beside Stepmother- lined up and down the enormous dining table. Pearly white candles were lit, three to a candlestick, and were above separate flowery centerpieces that went down the length of the table. The tablecloth was also white, and the chairs were mahogany. I looked at the dress of the people attending the luncheon, and they looked as if they were going to an opera. Most of the men wore top hats and the women were all clad in flowing, richly made gowns of silk and satin. I scoffed to myself. The cloths these people were wearing were worth a small fortune.
The man closest to him clapped Sessho-Maru on the back heartily. "Well m'boy, it seems your going to be inheriting a fine company from your mother -are you going to be continuing carrying on our alliances even after she's gone?"
Sessho-Maru looked at him in hidden disdain. "How morbid. To talk of her death so casually seems to me as if you wish it."
Stepmother laughed while the man paled. "Oh dear, don't be so harsh. Billy didn't mean it."
Sessho-Maru looked back to "Billy" and smiled as much as his stern mouth would allow. "Forgive me then. Yes, I would like to continue the alliance -it is quite a fine thing to be sure."
I smirked. I never really liked Sessho-Maru, but watching him make all of the people around him uncomfortable was some kind of sadistic amusement to me. It was funny watching the "Billy" man cringe under his glare. I mentally cheered my half-brother on as he waited for his next victim to speak to him.
It was a young woman -no more than 25- who came next. She fingered her grilled chicken with her fork as she talked. "So, Minerva-" (Stepmother's first name) "-have you decided on what to do for the Christmas ball?"
Stepmother shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. I'm leaving that to my dear son to figure out. Why don't you ask him?" Apparently, she was as eager to watch Sessho-Maru verbally skewer someone as much as I was.
The woman now directed her question to my half-brother, though less enthusiastically as before. Sessho-Maru didn't look at her as he talked.
"Hmm… It is a bit early to be thinking about it -I have yet to complete all of the details for the Thanksgiving banquet." He looked up at her finally, a small glare in his eyes. "Perhaps… you do not wish to speak of the Thanksgiving banquet?"
The woman blushed underneath the layers of make-up she had plastered to her face. "Uh, no -not at all, I was just-"
Sessho-Maru didn't stop to listen to her. "I wonder why… Maybe it is because the Barons aren't coming to the Christmas party?" He looked around at everyone at the table. "We all know what happened between you and Jeremiah Baron -has it suddenly gone sour?"
The table laughed and the woman blushed even more. (She and Jeremiah Baron, apparently, were known for their little escapades. She liked Sessho-Maru once, but fortunately, he turned her down in an instant.) I sighed. This was getting boring -it was like watching a Jane Austen novel come to life. I left my post at the door and meandered around the foyer.
However, I heard something disturbing -the door to the dining room creaking open. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I turned and watched the door open slowly, and there I was, in the middle of the foyer with no where to run or hide. My face paled as one of the men came out and, shocked, stared at me. How could I have forgotten that Stepmother always gave a tour?
The last time I had been caught out of my room while the tour was going on, I hadn't regained consciousness for a week. But even if I could run, the man would tell Stepmother. I froze as he furrowed his brow, and since he wasn't moving, the people behind him were beginning to complain.
"Fredrick," one woman's voice complained behind him, "What is it? Why aren't you moving?"
The man cocked his head at me. "There's a strange boy out here."
I began to shake ever so slightly. I felt my heart begin to pound -I knew what was coming next. I prayed so feverently that Stepmother would just combust suddenly, but alas, she squeezed her way out and then saw me there -barefoot on her Turkish rug. I didn't dare move. Her eyes looked me over, and when they met mine, she promised pain. But after a moment, she turned to Fredrick.
"He's no one. A traveler needing to rest his weary head for the moment." She walked out and then Fredrick came up to me and looked me over more closely. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sessho-Maru stare at me -as if he didn't think I was really there. I wished I wasn't.
Fredrick clapped me on the shoulder. "Strong young lad!" he proclaimed happily. "He could be a good worker."
One of the women disregarded his statement, however. "He looks scraggly. Like a no-good ruffian. I wouldn't have allowed him into my home. Look at his hair -much too long! And his feet -where are his socks? Boy, do you not wear any socks at all?" I knew better than to answer. She continued without one anyway. "I bet he smells. Does he smell horrid, Fredrick?"
The man smiled and shook his head. "No -he smells of trees."
The woman looked ghastly. "Trees? Come now, Fredrick, your nose is better than that! I bet he smells like wet dog -or some other mangy animal. And look at him -he looks starved. I bet he's smoking drugs somewhere in your fine manor, Minerva! Mark my words, you better keep an eye on him."
Stepmother looked at me and said, "I will."
The woman decided that a closer look at me would be appropriate. One of the other women called, "Oh leave him be!" and "You're much too persistent, Joy!" but she advanced all the same.
She came up to me, pink/peach dress flowing about her as she walked. Her brunette hair was tied up in a bun and her pale face clashed with her full, crimson lips. She would have been pretty had she not been over forty. "Now, let's have a closer look at you."
She grabbed my arm and looked at it, and then said, "Oh yes, I see the puncture holes for the injections." (Of course, there were none there.) She grabbed some of my hair, which, I was sad to know, was not brushed out. She made a face of repugnance and said, "Look at this rat's nest for hair!" She looked at me and declared, "Do you ever brush?" I was about to reply when Stepmother chimed in.
"He speaks no English, I'm afraid. He can't understand a word you're saying."
Joy's face erupted into a large, insane smile. "Wonderful! Then we can jeer and tease as much as we want!" She looked behind her, where on the stairs was Sessho-Maru, who wasn't partaking in the events. "Sesshy, oh Sesshy come! You must have some fun with this pauper!"
Sessho-Maru looked at her, then to me, then back to her. "I'd rather not."
Joy's smile fell. "Oh, why?"
Sessho-Maru's face didn't falter. "I do not wish to jeer at someone when they do not even understand what I am saying. They are completely ignorant of the insults, and the wanted effect is not achieved." He turned around and began to make his way up the stairs. "A wasted effort, if you ask me."
Joy seemed put out. "Oh, you're no fun!" When she saw that he wouldn't be coming back down the stairs, she sighed deeply and followed him, along with the rest of the party. Fredrick left as well, and before she left, Stepmother called, "Edo, Gon? I need you to escort the boy outside to his belongings and then to his room. Oh, and make sure he gets something to eat."
Joy looked to Stepmother, who was behind her. "Minerva, you're too kind. I would never let a street rat like that even come close to my manor, much less stay in it."
Stepmother smiled and laughed. "Oh, don't you say things like that! Poor thing was just shivering out in the snow!"
They laughed and disappeared into a room -the billiard room. Edo and Gon made their way up to me, and I knew in my gut what was about to happen. They both grabbed one of my arms and "escorted" me outside, in the carport, and then pushed me against the wall.
"Sorry kid," Gon growled out. "You know what's coming. Try not to spit up too much blood." I felt my stomach churn in fear, and then Gon threw the first punch into said stomach.
I don't know how long they did it. It was all a large, bloody, painful blur. I knew my lip was bleeding, and some place above my eyebrows -blood was getting into my eyes- and that more than a few bones were shaken and bruised. My eyesight fled from me -I was so disoriented, I didn't know which way was which. And finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they stopped.
I collapsed to the ground on my knees, heaving heavy breaths. I clutched my sore, injured abdomen and then fell even further to where I was almost completely on the ground. I felt the two bodyguards pick me up by my elbows and begin to drag me. After a few seconds of my bare feet and forehead scraping along the cool concrete of the carport, I felt ice. I looked to the ground and saw blindingly white snow with tiny drops of red scattered in a trail behind me.
Suddenly, I was dropped to the ground. I felt a shoe kick me in the side and a voice (I don't know which one) say, "Stop, man -he's bad enough already."
The other growled out his response. "Fine. We'd better get out before the dogs realize he's here. The windows all shut and locked?"
The first voice said yes and the crunching footsteps faded away. I looked after them and when they were gone, I looked around myself to see where I was. I was in a secluded courtyard, surrounded by high stone walls. There were a few naked or fall-colored oak trees around me, but other than that, it was just snow. Still clutching my stomach with one hand, I pushed myself up off the biting snow onto my knees. I had to regain my bearings and then find a way to get out of the snow…
Then, a sound. I looked to the only pathway out of the courtyard and realized it was barking. Angry barking. Cursing at my foul luck, I grasped the fact that what was making the barking noises were the many German Shepherds… I somehow managed to get to my feet, and again I took a turn at my surroundings. The only places that would be safe from the dogs were the trees. I looked at one in particular -tall, still holding to what little foliage it had left- and then I ran at it.
I don't know how I managed to climb it before the dogs came. I was high enough that even if they jumped, they still couldn't reach me. I settled myself about three-fourths up the tree in a little nest of thick branches and curled up to fight the cold in what little way I could. My bare feet ached and stung. My stomach throbbed with each movement I made. My face felt like it had been run over by a truck. But even through the pain, my brain realized that it would be a good time to take a nap and I fell into a blissfully painless sleep.
………………………
Awwww… poor Inu.