A/N: Read and enjoy- explaination fordelay at end of chapter.

Chapter 8: The Trouble Starts

Kagome took a deep breath as she entered the room she had earlier awaken in, preparing herself for the encounter with Inuyasha she expected. When no silver hair, nor golden eyes, presented itself, a sigh of relief expelled from her lips and her shoulders fell, her mind silently praising the heavens for her luck. No Inuyasha, no fight. No fight, no stress. No stress, no tears.

Flipping on the light switch, she took a good look around the room. With all the time she had spent in there hours before, she never once got a good look around. After all, the only light to illuminate the room was from a single, though large, window, and the window overlooked a small wooded area.

The room's sheer size made it impressive, being nearly the size of her high school gymnasium; however, the fact that it was a house in itself made it all the more astonishing. To the left of the door, eight chairs were placed around a dark wood dining table with a ornate candelabra at the center. What could only be described as a lounge was the next area Kagome inspected. A love seat , two leather couches covered by soft, leopard print blankets, and a glass coffee table, on which numerous newspapers sat, were placed in front of a large plasma tv. An enormous stereo system, nestled in the corner, was strategically placed between two bookcases filled with cds. Everything from metal to classic seemed to be present.

Then, of course, there was the bed- fit for a king and, as she remembered, soft as the clouds angels walked on. The crimson silk sheets gave the impression that one was laying in a river of blood. Upon seeing them, Kagome wasn't surprised by her nightmares in the least. The mere thought of touching that bed sent shivers of unease down her spine.

Next to the bed was the night stand. The 9mm lay beside a lamp much like the one she kept on back home. At one time, a vase had occupied the empty space on its left. The rest of the room was typical of a master bedroom. A large, oak dresser, a walk-in closet, a personal wash room, a study (desk, books, laptop and such). Above the study, there were three small screens, each displaying a specific area of the large mansion- the outer grounds, Inuyasha's office (which Kagome remembered all too clearly), and what looked like the corridor outside the bedroom...

Then, of course, to top it off...

A bar.

A bar...

Kagome sighed. Inuyasha couldn't seriously be a day over twenty, yet the bar was stocked with assorted intoxicants- and the most expensive ones, at that. Over half of them were imported... and over half of the bottles were nearly empty, lined up on the bar as if a party had been suddenly crashed half way through.

'Figures,' she snorted in disgust.

"What's taking the boss so long?" Shippo piped, bouncing over to the love seat.

"He's in a meeting with Kaede, Akira, Nikki, Miroku, Inoue, and Toutousai."

"... I can understand Miroku and Kaede... Heck, even Nikki," Shippo began, his eyebrows furrowing. "But Akira, Inoue, and Toutousai...? That's just weird."

"I have a feeling it's about Rakshasa and Tsurai," Yuri mumbled.

Kagome looked at her childhood friend, seeing the thoughtful expression on his face. He seemed really concerned about his boss's well-being, but how Yuri could feel so worried for such a despicable character left Kagome wondering...

What made this Inuyasha guy so important?

What did she not see?

Sango fidgetted, eyes flickering to the cell phone Kagome had given her with dread creeping through her body. Kagome wasn't the type of person to worry others. She always cared for everyone more than she cared for herself, and the continued silence invading her room frightened Sango.

The phone should have rung by now.

'Kagome, please call...'

"Mew!"

The sudden sound startled Sango out of her dazed state. Kirara leapt from the floor to land softly in her lap, rubbing her head against the woman's hand in comfort.

"Thanks, Kirara," Sango whispered, petting the feline as she spoke. "But... I... I hope she's okay."

"Mew..."

Inuyasha entered his room with a heavy heart... or, rather, conscience... He was going to set Kagome, the innocent, up for something not many of the most black-hearted women would do.

Seduction, scandal, and sabotage...

He closed the door silently behind him, spotting Asano and Drake at the bar, Shippo serving their drinks as ordered with a sneer on his face. Shippo had always despised alcohol, though no one knew quite why. Inuyasha assumed his mother had told the boy of its dangers, but it did not matter at the moment.

Kagome and Yuri were looking out the single window, the girl with a questioning expression on her face. He heard her sigh in confusion. "I don't get it, still. How can that tiny patch of woods serve as training ground? One walk through there and I'd have it mapped out."

"You always were the one with the memory," Yuri laughed, ruffling the girls hair. "And you were always the one to get yourself into trouble, too."

"It's not like I planned to get caught by the police that night," she huffed, still unaware of the new presence. "I'm just glad that parrot was gone- and, yes, before you even asked, I did check before I broke in."

"I figured so..."

"Still, I just can't see that," she said, pointing out the window, "as being good training ground."

"Well, you see, there is no walking through it," Inuyasha stated, breaking his silence. Kagome jumped in surprise. "It's a single test. The first time you go in for training is the last time you go in at all... or even the last time you see the light of day... That's why it's called the Silent Suffering. It's one of the many pieces to the Cloister of Shadows. It's the hardest and final stage. One day, one night in those woods. The Cloister takes seven days. Seven days without food, seven days without sleep, seven days without knowing what will come next, be it torture, battle, or testing of one sort or another..."

"Why is the training so harsh?" She asked, giving a quick glance to her friend beside her. He was going through that...?

"I only accept the best."

Asano snorted. "Not only that, but he puts his employees through it every five years... And I have to go back through that living hell next month!"

"It wasn't that bad," Drake grumbled. "I had no trouble lasting through that."

"You also had no trouble crying on your first day through it," Shippo quipped, quickly dodging the empty shot glass thrown his way.

Inuyasha stepped in front of Kagome the instant he saw her nostrils flare and her body move to lung at Drake. He knew she would be a protective, mothering type, but her reaction was stronger than expected as she tried slipping past him, screaming in rage.

"Don't you ever-!"

He grabbed her arm as she side stepped him, silencing her. Drake turned to look at the girl with distaste burning in his eyes. A stern look from the boss kept Drake's mouth shut.

"Stop, now. We have business to discuss. Asano."

"Yes, boss?" The man stood from his place at the bar and approached Inuyasha with calm.

"At the sentencing, you saved Kagome's life- I'm sure she thanks you," he hurried to say, cutting the girl off as she gasped, startled by the news. "However... I need to know... how you knew what to say?"

The man shifted slightly. "I overheard Rakshasa and Tsurai today. They were in the library, which was suspicious in itself, and were arguing about something to do with Shippo and how to deal with him. Tsurai kept saying the little runt was in his way, that the new security systems were troublesome. Plus, they kept saying something about next month. 'We'll do it next month, after he's out of the way.'"

"Why did you not come to me when you heard this?" Inuyasha queried, eyes narrowed.

"I tried after getting Miroku's books, but I couldn't find you, sir," Asano explained. "I never could get through the maze."

Sighing, Inuyasha dismissed the man. "Very well, Asano. You are excused. Next time, make sure to inform me by any means possible. No more surprises."

"Understood, boss," he replied before turning to stretch out a hand to Kagome. "Welcome to the White Hounds, by the way."

The girl smiled in thanks, shook his hand, then turned her gaze to Inuyasha. "May I ask why he has to leave?"

"It's for his own good. Do not worry yourself with small details."

Asano chuckled. "It's best that I know as little as possible about the situation at hand, miss." With that, he left as ordered.

"Boss, why am I here?" Drake inquired, glaring at Yuri and Kagome. "I may have helped in her 'saving', but I need no thanks- I have no feelings toward this subject other than complete distaste."

Inuyasha laughed lightly. "I know." He ordered his guest to take a seat and get comfortable, and told Shippo to keep an eye on the surveillance cameras above his desk. "That, Drake, is precisely why I need you. See, I need you to push for Kagome's initiation as quickly as possible so she can be 'transferred' to our American sector. She'll go home, collect her things, and be sent far away. That way she is safe and out of our hair."

'And off of my conscience.'

"That's easier said than done."

"It has to be gradual," Inuyasha amended. "It has to be inconspicuous."

"Like I said," Drake drawled, "that's easier said than done."

Inuyasha smirked, his eyes glittering lightly. "Prove you are better than most, then. Prove your stealth is physical and psychological... And I can help you become that agent you wish to be."

"How can a person with a criminal record like yours help me achieve something so outlandish?"

"Sesshomaru, of course."

"Your brother?" Kagome wondered aloud.

Inuyasha snarled at the girl's innocent interruption. "Half! My half-brother!"

"... Sorry..."

Drake snorted and rose from his seat. "I'll do it."

Inuyasha nodded. "Good. Now, Yuri, Shippo... You are to act like nothing is different. Yuri, act as if you are seeing your best friend for the first time in years, nothing more, nothing less. No dramatics. Shippo, no new security unless I say, understood?" They bowed slightly. "Now, I need to speak with Kagome. In private."

Kagome cringed as she heard the door lock when her friends left with Drake, the sound echoing through the now silent room. Dread crept through her. The bedroom, though bright with the lights shining over head, seemed to darken ominously.

Inuyasha sighed, his shoulders falling as if some great burden had been lifted from them. Running his hands through his hair, he moved to sit on his bed.

"If only Sesshomaru hadn't fucking gone off and fallen in love... God, I can just imagine how much more simple my life would be now."

Kagome raised an eyebrow. Had he forgotten she was in the room that quickly? Shrugging, she walked to the bar, cleaning up the mess left behind by it's previous visitors with disgust. Alcohol... It was the worst invention man had made, in her opinion. Worse then swords, guns, and those demonic looking medieval torture devices...

Iron maidens... ick...

"What the hell was dad thinking, living like this...?"

"You know, you might want to start keeping a journal or something," Kagome suggested. "Next thing you know, you'll be telling me that you keep a secret stash of money under the trash bag," she said as she tied the filled bag and lifted it to toss it to the side... Only to stop dead in her tracks at the sight of a small, wooden box. "... No way..."

Inuyasha looked at her with disbelieving eyes. "What the hell is it with you? First you pick up one of the most valuable pieces of art without knowing it, then you guess where my stash is hidden..."

Kagome blinked at him with large eyes... "Good hiding place, but that is totally disgusting..."

He sighed. "Put the bag back, I'll deal with it later. We have a lot to get through and I still have to get a room cleared for you."

Shippo glared at the man, his mind working twice as fast as normal. Why was this guy such an ass when he wasn't around Inuyasha or Kagome?

'That's it!' Shippo thought with rage as the boy stuck his tongue out at him. Shippo lunged, biting Yuri in the leg.

"Ouch! You little ankle biter- what was that for?"

"For calling me a runt!"

"You are a runt, squirt!"

"I'm not a squirt, asshole!"

"I'm telling Kagome you swore," Yuri threatened, a smirk forming on his face.

"I'm telling Kagome you were being mean."

"I'm telling Kagome you bit me."

"I'm telling Kagome-"

"Would you two shut up," Miroku hissed, causing the squabbling duo to jump at the sudden interruption. "You are acting like children."

"But he called me a runt!"

"And he bit me!"

"Well, you shouldn't be mean to be."

"And you shouldn't be so short."

Again, Shippo launched himself at the boy, starting an entirely new argument. Miroku shook his head in exasperation, leaving the pair as they wrestled in the middle of the corridor. He had more important things to do, like call his grandfather. Grandpa was a wise old man... Perhaps he could give Miroku some advise that he could, in turn, give to Inuyasha...

Perhaps...

"How do I start...?" Inuyasha wondered out loud, looking at the girl sitting in front of him as she started at the blankets, an almost cautious look in her eyes. She looked at the silk as if it was going to engulf her with a childish kind of fear. Childish... Perfect. "Let's make a little story."

Kagome cocked her head to the side. "What?"

"It'll be easier to swallow that way," he said. "Let's see... Okay, so there's this place that is ruled over by a dog. He runs everything and all the animals works for him. Even the rats. But these rats that want to run the land that the dog rules. So, they need to get rid of the dog. Understand so far?"

"You're the dog. Rakshasa and Tsurai are the rats... Got it."

"Good... Now, the rats- they have a problem. A playful little kitten. The little kitten is always ruining their plans. The kitten is...?"

"Shippo," Kagome said, smiling as she got into the story.

"Well, a wondering puppy suddenly stumbles into the neighborhood," Inuyasha mumbled, using his fingers as legs to act it out. "The rats see the quick friendship between the puppy and kitten. They form a plan. The puppy can keep the kitten occupied and they'll have more access to the dog... But... they see another use for the puppy."

"Another use for the puppy? Like what?"

"Well, the big dog has been getting more and more cautious lately. His guard is up. They need him to be less attentive... And the playful puppy seems to be a great distraction..."

Kagome furrowed her brows in confusion. "But why would a dog be distracted by a puppy?"

"The puppy won't be a distraction because the dog would think the puppy was too playful and annoying... But another dog..." Inuyasha laughed when Kagome cocked her head to the side, clearly even more confused. "See, the rats would go to the puppy and tell her their plan. They'll ask her to keep the kitten busy during the day til he goes to sleep... and keep the dog busy during the night... Make the dog her friend, have him confide in her, and be his... for lack of a better word... bitch."

Kagome did a double take. "W-What?"

Inuyasha chuckled. "Don't worry. You'll be asked to seduce me, but you won't."

"Then how are they going to believe it?"

"I'll be playing along. Slowly, they'll see us together more and more, I'll act like I'm paying more attention to you than what is going on, I'll get jealous easily, I'll be less moody... or more, depending on the situation... So on and so on," Inuyasha said, waving his hands about. "Plus, I'll tell you little secrets here and there that you'll tell them. Like the money thing, and the fact that there are catacombs beneath the mansion that only Sesshomaru and I know about. Blah, blah, blah... Things like that."

Kagome shivered. "Catacombs?"

He grinned. "Bones and blood give you chills? Well, that'll have to be fixed. After all, some of our work involves death."

Kagome gulped. This seemed to be getting worse and worse. "Why would they come to me, anyways? I mean, why would they let me know what they were planning when I could easily say no?"

Inuyasha sighed. "First off, you couldn't say no. Do you honestly think they'd let you live? Plus, they know how badly you want to get away from here- that you'd do anything to go home. That's reason enough for them to believe that you'd agree."

"Oh," she mumbled, looking away with a blush of embarrasment. "That makes sense..."

She fidgetted for a while, obviously thinking over the situation. After a few minutes of silence, the girl balled her hand into a fist before smashing it into her palm, a smile playing across her lips and a flash of determination in her eyes. "I'll do it."

Inuyasha blinked, unable to comprehend her simple statement. "What..?"

"I said, I'll do it. If that means going home, I will do everything I can to help rid the White Hounds of these rats."

"You understand what you have to do?"

"Yes."

"And you're okay with acting like... like..."

Kagome's smile twisted into one of sympathy. "Like Kikyo?" she offered, her eyes softening. He merely nodded. "Don't get me wrong- the thought of being someone who could be so... backstabbing... makes me sick to my stomach. But, I don't really have to be that kind of person. I can just think of this as a play, that I'm playing my part, and that when the play's done, I'll be able to go home and drink a cup of hot cocoa with my mother.

"In other words, I'll be someone else- I won't be Kagome, I'll be..." she waved a hand in the air as she scrambled for a name. She thought of her part, of the White Hounds, of darkness... "Shadow."

"Shadow?"

She smiled brighter. "Yes, Shadow. As silent, as everpresent, and as secretive as the shadows."

"Okay, Shadow, anymore questions?" he asked, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. He was impressed. He had expected her to say something stupid- some common name. But, she had put thought into it, giving her a better grasp on her character. With a name like Shadow, he was sure this girl could pull off her assignment with ease.

Shadow.

He would never think of that word in the same way as he had before. Somehow, he knew that ever time he heard it, he'd see it's real meaning.

Secrecy, silence, and constantly present.

Kagome sighed, her eyes dulling slightly. "After this is all done..."

"I'll have Miroku, or possibly Yuri, take you home to get your family and your belongings. Then you'll be taken to an airport where you will board a plane to take you to where ever you little heart desires."

"I have to move? I can't stay at my old home?"

He shook his head, his black hair swaying with the motion. "Even if my men are loyal to me, I know some who, no matter their loyalty, would check to see if I let you, in fact, go back to your home. Then I'd have a new set of problems to deal with."

She nodded, understanding his reasons. "I can deal with that, I suppose."

"Good, because that's all I can do." Inuyasha stood up, reached behind his headboard to unlock the doors, and motioned for Kagome to follow him. As he approached the doors, he got the shock of his life. The girl wrapped her arms around his torso from behind him, leaning her head against his back. "Wh-"

"Thank you."

He smiled lightly before tearing her arms from him. "Just remember what you have to do. Rakshasa, Tsurai, and Drake will all be pushing for your initiation meaning you'll need to train as well." He looked behind him as he twisted the door handle. "You're gonna be one busy little girl, so I suggest you sleep as often as you can. Let's get you a room."

A/N: Hey everyone, sorry it took so long to get this chapter in. I had it all written out on my laptop, but my ex sold it and I lost everything I had. The new chapter for Don't Throw Away the Key, Me, Lost in the Spotlight, Wicked Sins, two chapters for Taking the Long Way, Whispers of a screaming soul, three chapters for Seventeen, and a completed sequel/prequel for Scars That Never Fade (called Wounds That Never Heal), were all done and ready for updating/posting when he did that... As you can pretty much guess, it killed me and I lost all interest in writting for some time. But, I'm back and ready to give you guys something to read!

Hopefully you aren't too upset with how long it's been, but it couldn't be helped. I ran away from home and had a lot of trouble writting and getting access to the interenet... and then that had to happen... So, please, bare with me as I try to get everything back on track.

Love,
Sakura-chan88